League of Ireland in Europe 2016

**Charlie Darwin** · 26/08/2016, 3:58 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Dundalk should not be aiming for anything less than a win in every game.
Set yourself up to fail, and that you will do.

They have absolutely nothing to loose by going out and having a go at teams who will completely underestimate them.

A student of Ollie Horgan I see.

**bennocelt** · 26/08/2016, 4:47 PM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

Seems to me some people here are again hyping up the quality of the teams in this group akin to what was said about BATE previously. For me, its a group that Dundalk should not fear. I think Alkmaar is decent draw despite what some say, Dutch teams usually can't defend, its all about attack with them. Dundalk were solid enough in their games against BATE and Legia and if replicated, they are more than capable of getting points off them. I think Maccabi will be more difficult an opponent but they can be unpredictable at times, so might be chance of a win/draw at home. I think Zenit is an extremely difficult opponent, keeping the score down in both games might be objective there!

Good shout. Just because they are a Dutch team doesn't mean they play like the Ajax of old. I remember when I lived in Holland, how particularly rubbish a lot of the teams were, games with loads of goals all round. Take out the top three and that league was poor. Has it changed since then? Don't know, but Dutch clubs haven't done a whole lot since the 90's.

Maccabi Tel Aviv knocked Basel out of the CL last year. I watched both legs, Basel should have walked both games, they threw both ties away with sloppy defending. Really was a pain and didnt think much of MTA at the time.

St Petersburg, not a hope.

As long as they remain competitive, Dundalk have a chance for at least one win....

**nigel-harps1954** · 26/08/2016, 4:49 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

A student of Ollie Horgan I see.

"Everyone is better than us, we're in a relegation battle and nothing else. We'll be lucky to finish off the bottom of the First Division next season."

**total hoofball** · 26/08/2016, 5:02 PM

Dundalk's Fixtures up on the UEFA website, Tallaght Stadium listed as their home stadium

AZ Alkmaar (a) 15/09/2016 18.00
Maccabi Tel Aviv (h) 29/09/2016 20.05
Zenit Saint Petersburg (h) 20/10/2016 20.05
Zenit Saint Petersburg (a) 03/11/2016 18.00
AZ Alkmaar (h) 24/11/2016 20.05
Maccabi Tel Aviv (a) 08/12/2016 18.00

**ger121** · 26/08/2016, 5:16 PM

Originally Posted by total hoofball

Dundalk's Fixtures up on the UEFA website, Tallaght Stadium listed as their home stadium

AZ Alkmaar (a) 15/09/2016 18.00
Maccabi Tel Aviv (h) 29/09/2016 20.05
Zenit Saint Petersburg (h) 20/10/2016 20.05
Zenit Saint Petersburg (a) 03/11/2016 18.00
AZ Alkmaar (h) 24/11/2016 20.05
Maccabi Tel Aviv (a) 08/12/2016 18.00

Tallaght is the right venue for them. Ask BATE.

**littlebray** · 26/08/2016, 8:49 PM

Originally Posted by El-Pietro

Will be interesting if they reach the Cup Final. Am I right in saying the final is scheduled for November 6th?

Correct. In the "Dublin Arena" as UEFA insisted it be called last week ... no advertising, you know.

Question is, which will be moved???

**EatYerGreens** · 27/08/2016, 12:19 AM

Up to Dundalk to do a marketing job on all the games to get a good crowd along for them.

Create a bit of hype around European football being in Dublin, do a ticket deal on the 4 home fixtures if bought together upfront etc

**legendz** · 27/08/2016, 7:14 AM

Dundalk need to try and exert some influence on European football if they can. Through or with the assistance of the FAI they need to argue and lobby that all league champions exiting the CL qualifiers should be placed in the following EL round.

If Dundalk win the league as expected this year, there's no guarantees they'll get through their first qualifying round next year, such is the obvious nature of knockout football. In such a scenario entering the following EL would be beneficial for their continued experience of European football. UEFA are talking of increasing the money for teams losing out in the qualifiers. Champions of lower ranked leagues need more European games along with the increase in money that'll be offered to them as a sweetener for accepting the tougher qualification route.

**Ezeikial** · 27/08/2016, 8:01 AM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

Up to Dundalk to do a marketing job on all the games to get a good crowd along for them.

Create a bit of hype around European football being in Dublin, do a ticket deal on the 4 home fixtures if bought together upfront etc

Should the 1st phase of the knock outs be included when the opposition is not known?

**Ezeikial** · 27/08/2016, 8:03 AM

Originally Posted by legendz

Champions of lower ranked leagues need more European games along with the increase in money that'll be offered to them as a sweetener for accepting the tougher qualification route.

What is the leverage?

Threaten to form a breakaway competition?

**legendz** · 27/08/2016, 8:41 AM

Originally Posted by Ezeikial

What is the leverage?

Threaten to form a breakaway competition?

Yeah, I know what you're saying. Surely every association must have an equal vote? 21 league champions were out after CLQ1 and CLQ2 this year. The 38 associations of league winners entering before CLQ3 should try and work together to bring a positive change in the favour.

It shouldn't be unrealistic for the FAI to work with similar associations to lobby for change. Doing nothing is like the A Championship clubs who lobbied for nothing and got nothing for their junior football mentality.

Within current structures, the Europa League should be limited to 2 teams from each country and league champions dropping out after each Champions League qualifying round.

**Dodge** · 27/08/2016, 11:28 AM

Bless your little socialist heart legendz

You can't honestly believe that San Marino has the same 'vote' as Germany?

Never mind thinking that the FAI would lobby the rest to help LOI clubs

**legendz** · 27/08/2016, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Bless your little socialist heart legendz

You can't honestly believe that San Marino has the same 'vote' as Germany?

Never mind thinking that the FAI would lobby the rest to help LOI clubs

I know what your saying. Was it Scotland and Ireland that pushed for the euro's to be expanded to 24? It's non unrealistic for smaller nations to push for some change in their favour. The likelihood of the FAI doing so granted is remote.

UEFA were talking about the possibility of a third club competition. With changes imminent to the access list, it'll be a crucial time for lower ranked leagues to get some constructive change in their favour.

Lower ranked league champions entering the Europa League can happen without impacting on the higher ranked leagues. It could mean the 38 or so lower ranked leagues only having 2 EL spots to free up spaces for league champions in the qualifying rounds.

**littlebray** · 28/08/2016, 2:05 AM

Originally Posted by legendz

UEFA were talking about the possibility of a third club competition.

Resist, resist!

Bad and all as the Europa is, does anyone think TV will go for another - lower - competition?

The money will depend on the TV.

**legendz** · 28/08/2016, 8:50 AM

Originally Posted by littlebray

Bad and all as the Europa

The Europa isn't a bad competition. It's mainly been the EPL who've been dismissive of it and it's influenced those here who watch the EPL. The Europa is popular enough on the continent.

Rewarding the EL winner a CL spot has been a constructive step. They should cut out CL third placed teams entering the Round of 32. Once you have teams in a group stage, the eventual winner should only come from those teams. Wenger and Villas-Boas have said in meetings with UEFA they have raised that issue.

**Trainee** · 29/08/2016, 3:15 PM

I read on Facebook that Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign are planning a protest at the Maccabi Tel Aviv game. They are hopping to get people to waive Palestine flags inside & outside the ground which means Dundalk could be hit with a massive fine.

**dundalkfc10** · 29/08/2016, 3:21 PM

Originally Posted by Trainee

I read on Facebook that Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign are planning a protest at the Maccabi Tel Aviv game. They are hopping to get people to waive Palestine flags inside & outside the ground which means Dundalk could be hit with a massive fine.

I can assure you, nobody with a Palestine flag will be allowed into Tallaght on that night! Straight from the clubs owners