LOI In Europe 2020

[DCWA]

I watch plenty of live IL football and have plenty of time for the league and was delighted for Coleraine. There is despite declining standards in LOI a significant overall gap in quality but that is not a dig that is only to be expected given you have a league drawing clubs from 27 counties (26+Derry City) and a league drawing clubs from 6 (without the representative from one of only two cities in those 6 as well, not to be dismissive of Stute).

What I would say about Coleraine re the Maribor game and having watched them in the Showgrounds, they are a very well set up aide. Everyone knows their jobs and they are well drilled. I suspect they have the best club manager on the island.

[Steve Bruce]

I tried to edit my post to include quote but bloody deleted it. It was long winded so won't be re typing it on my phone. The quote was to give context


Remember again the NI clubs have been getting extra points for the preliminary round of late.

And this year they only had 3 teams, so the wins were worth more.

48th is still really not encouraging, but the preliminary round really does mix things up at the bottom

[Steve Bruce]

Remember again the NI clubs have been getting extra points for the preliminary round of late.

And this year they only had 3 teams, so the wins were worth more.

48th is still really not encouraging, but the preliminary round really does mix things up at the bottom

Their is a gap I agree, that's not what I take exception to. The point I took exception to was how our European achievements are dismissed because of preliminary rounds when in the last couple of years Linfield beat sudjesta home & away, we beat qarabag at home and lost on away goals (we nearly nicked it at the end) & Coleraine beat Maribor.

These results are fantastic results that loi teams would have struggled to match & so will IL clubs in the future.

[DCWA]

These results are fantastic results that loi teams would have struggled to match & so will IL clubs in the future.

I wouldn’t disagree with that.

Funny one but few of us were watching Coleraine and were in agreement that Maribor would’ve hammered Derry on Thursday night yet also in agreement that there probably wasn’t 1 player in the Coleraine side that we thought we would have him at Derry.

Certainly agree however with those results and performances being standout. I suppose you could counterbalance that with Coleraine at 1/16 getting past a side from San Marino only with a last minute winner, funny old game.

[pineapple stu]

Their is a gap I agree, that's not what I take exception to. The point I took exception to was how our European achievements are dismissed because of preliminary rounds when in the last couple of years Linfield beat sudjesta home & away, we beat qarabag at home and lost on away goals (we nearly nicked it at the end) & Coleraine beat Maribor.

These results are fantastic results that loi teams would have struggled to match & so will IL clubs in the future.
I'm not dismissing IL results.

But it is absolutely a fact that IL sides have been getting extra points in the preliminary rounds, and that that is a big part of why the coefficient gap has narrowed so much in the last couple of years.

Last year saw two wins and two draws (0.750 points) in a round the LoI got a bye in. This year has seen four wins (1.333 points) in rounds the LoI got a bye in.

[monkey9]

I watch plenty of live IL football and have plenty of time for the league and was delighted for Coleraine. There is despite declining standards in LOI a significant overall gap in quality but that is not a dig that is only to be expected given you have a league drawing clubs from 27 counties (26+Derry City) and a league drawing clubs from 6 (without the representative from one of only two cities in those 6 as well, not to be dismissive of Stute).

What I would say about Coleraine re the Maribor game and having watched them in the Showgrounds, they are a very well set up aide. Everyone knows their jobs and they are well drilled. I suspect they have the best club manager on the island.

I find this hard to argue with, he's definitely in the conversation.

[placid casual]

Rovers at home to AC Milan

[DCSIL]

Rovers at home to AC Milan

Get negotiating the TV Deal.

[Longfordian]

Typical that it would happen when it has to be behind closed doors.

[Real ale Madrid]

Inter Escaldes (AND) v Dundalk (IRE)

[El-Pietro]

Wow. Thats gotta be bitter sweet for Rovers fans. Milan might not be the Milan of old but they are still one of the most famous teams in world football. Gutting for fans to miss out on seeing the famous Red and Black shirts in the flesh in Tallaght and more importantly missing a chance to visit the San Siro.

[pineapple stu]

So Rovers v AC Milan and Dundalk v Inter

Who'da thought we'd see the day?

[pineapple stu]

Wow. Thats gotta be bitter sweet for Rovers fans. Milan might not be the Milan of old but they are still one of the most famous teams in world football. Gutting for fans to miss out on seeing the famous Red and Black shirts in the flesh in Tallaght and more importantly missing a chance to visit the San Siro.
I'll also throw in a note for Scalesy - suspended for the match and so won't get to mark Zlatan.

[ger121]

Dundalk could not have asked for a better tie. Except maybe at home. Could be a neutral venue again?

[Mr A]

I'll also throw in a note for Scalesy - suspended for the match and so won't get to mark Zlatan.

Justice done for Scales, it'll be a weight off his shoulders.

[Nesta99]

Wow. Thats gotta be bitter sweet for Rovers fans. Milan might not be the Milan of old but they are still one of the most famous teams in world football. Gutting for fans to miss out on seeing the famous Red and Black shirts in the flesh in Tallaght and more importantly missing a chance to visit the San Siro.

They could focus on them playing a team in Bohs colours or of thats still risky then prtend its Longford.

Real pity not to have Rovers fans roaring them on. Interesting to see how Bradley goes in to this being a 1 off tie. Keep it tigh, maybe hit on the break, and/or spoil the game as much as possible and rattle AC. Another peno miracle!!

[Real ale Madrid]

Justice done for Scales, it'll be a weight off his shoulders.

I believe his participation could well be in the balance - pending appeal

[EAFC_rdfl]

Is someone tracking the puns count

[sbgawa]

Worst of all worlds really a seriously difficult tie but you cant turn it into a moneyspinner.
no gate reciepts / corporate entertainment and only local TV rights (which RTE never pay for)

[Mr A]

I believe his participation could well be in the balance - pending appeal

He'll be hoping his representatives hit the right notes.

[Yossarian]

There’s something fishy about all these puns.

[ger121]

Worst of all worlds really a seriously difficult tie but you cant turn it into a moneyspinner.
no gate reciepts / corporate entertainment and only local TV rights (which RTE never pay for)

Would Livestream with rights in Ireland be an option?

[placid casual]

I would expect RTÉ to pick up the Rovers game, but then maybe I'm just naiive. 😉

[2 Year Contract]

only local TV rights (which RTE never pay for)

Why is that? Pats sold the tv rights to German TV for the games against Hertha Berlin in 2008 and Hannover 96 in 2012.

I think Bohs might have done the same when they played Kaiserslautern in the early 2000's

[Calcio Jack]

Why is that? Pats sold the tv rights to German TV for the games against Hertha Berlin in 2008 and Hannover 96 in 2012.

I think Bohs might have done the same when they played Kaiserslautern in the early 2000's

For this year on account of each round being one legged ,the rule is that the home team own tv rights only for their country and the away team owns them for rest of world including their own country - so big loss for Rovers

[Martinho II]

Is this the first time since 1975 since AC Milan came to these shores anyone??

[nigel-harps1954]

For this year on account of each round being one legged ,the rule is that the home team own tv rights only for their country and the away team owns them for rest of world including their own country - so big loss for Rovers

Ouch. That's a big blow.

[Nesta99]

So Rovers v AC Milan and Dundalk v Inter

Who'da thought we'd see the day?

The league has arrived in the big time lol

No excuses for Dundalk with that draw. It adds its own type of pressure but in a poor season it offers a chance to get in to a decent position with a win and in to QR3(?). We havent always had the rub of the green in the draw but can ask for no more this time. Like SRFC through i'm sure Inter are thinking that in a one leg game against a said that is low in confidence and generally in turmoil that they could pull off a shock result. I feel weak at the prospect but lose this tie and it would have to go down as the worst result in LoI history, especially in the context of the cost of the squad etc.

If things had been normal this season would Rovers have considered moving the game to the Aviva? Knowing all the pros of being in yer home ground but it would bound to have attracted 35k and could that additional income be snubbed?

[Nesta99]

For this year on account of each round being one legged ,the rule is that the home team own tv rights only for their country and the away team owns them for rest of world including their own country - so big loss for Rovers

Ouch! It would have made a lot more sense to be more balanced with the TV revenue, not that there are that many plum draws like this and in a one game playoff.

[Yossarian]

The groups for the 3rd round draw have been released. Dundalk can get:

Celje (SVN)
Sheriff (MDA)
Sarajevo (BIH)

So a possible rematch with Celje.


Rovers can get:
4 St. Gallen (SUI)
5 Bodø/Glimt (NOR) or Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU)
6 Dunajská Streda (SVK) or Jablonec (CZE)

[ger121]

The groups for the 3rd round draw have been released. Dundalk can get:

Celje (SVN)
Sheriff (MDA)
Sarajevo (BIH)

So a possible rematch with Celje.


Rovers can get:
4 St. Gallen (SUI)
5 Bodø/Glimt (NOR) or Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU)
6 Dunajská Streda (SVK) or Jablonec (CZE)

Not the worst pool of seeded sides. If Dundalk can get any form and indeed confidence, they have a chance. Would think Sarajevo at home would be the pick. Or neutral venue again. Despite all the **** in recent weeks, probably a good route here to make PO round.

[Real ale Madrid]

Dundalk will be away to Sheriff in rd 3. Pending green list access.

[Scrufil]

One game at a time, and all that but Sheriff sound like a solid outfit that Dundalk will do well to overcome.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Home draw for Shams against Bodø/Glimt (NOR) or Žalgiris Vilnius (LTU)

[The Lilywhites]

Dundalk will be away to Sheriff in rd 3. Pending green list access.

Looks like we can play Inter in Andorra now, which is a handier journey than Greece I guess.

Tough draw with Sheriff (RTÉ for some reason announced that we got Celje again!) but hopefully it's on neutral ground to give us a better chance.

Qarabag beat them 2-1 in the CL but Sheriff had 10 men from the 37th minute.

[Yossarian]

Looks like we can play Inter in Andorra now, which is a handier journey than Greece I guess.


Don’t see how we can play in Andorra, seeing as it, along with Spain and France are not on the green list. Unless there’s a change to the list in the next few days before the venue is confirmed.

[mypost]

The league has arrived in the big time lol

If things had been normal this season would Rovers have considered moving the game to the Aviva? Knowing all the pros of being in yer home ground but it would bound to have attracted 35k and could that additional income be snubbed?

It would be rather difficult to squeeze 35k into a random insurance office.

Home advantage is critical in a one off cup tie, even against a team like this. So Rovers won't want to throw it away, unless UEFA advised it. It's disappointing that those who go every week can't go, but it's good that the build up won't be full of event junkies popping up all over the place in the usual way, demanding tickets.

Shock results regularly happen in one off knockout ties, as all the old certainties dont apply. They're not what they were, they may not bring a full strength side, and if Rovers can deal with the early action, anything could happen.

[Charlie Darwin]

Milan aren't what they were but realistically they should easily beat any LOI side. It will be a huge tactical test for Bradley - does he go pragmatic like MON and limit the risks or does he do what Kenny did and stick to his principles? Both ways have downsides. I think he will play a more defensive-minded player in place of Burke but more or less stick with the pressing/possession game.

[pineapple stu]

they may not bring a full strength side
Why would they not bring a full-strength side?

Interesting to note that Dudelange - with 9 of the players who lost to a UCD side including O'Neill and Watts - held Milan to a 1-0 defeat at home in the group stages of the Europa League a couple of years ago. Higuain scored the only goal after an hour. So you never know. (They also went 2-1 up after an hour in the San Siro before losing 5-2)

[The Lilywhites]

The tie being a one-off at home will obviously help Rovers but it's hard to see them getting near Milan. Rovers have been quite poor since the return.

Milan maybe not what they were years ago but they seem to have improved under their new manager and finished the season strongly (hammered Lazio and gave Juve a good beating in the end) so maybe they're close to getting back to being competitive at the top in Italy.

If RTÉ won't pay for the rights here, would Rovers go down the streaming route again after the mess in the last round?

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Definitely improved a lot last season under Pioli. Who they then decided to get rid of.

[Nesta99]

It would be rather difficult to squeeze 35k into a random insurance office.

Home advantage is critical in a one off cup tie, even against a team like this. So Rovers won't want to throw it away, unless UEFA advised it. It's disappointing that those who go every week can't go, but it's good that the build up won't be full of event junkies popping up all over the place in the usual way, demanding tickets.

Shock results regularly happen in one off knockout ties, as all the old certainties dont apply. They're not what they were, they may not bring a full strength side, and if Rovers can deal with the early action, anything could happen.

Would be rather difficult to squeeze 35k people into to anywhere without a direct bus route or airship....

(For the purist), hypothetically would SRFC have considered using the part 'owned' national association football ground at Landdowne Rd sponsored by Aviva Insurance, if current SARS-CoV-2 restrictions werent in place. Tallaght Stadium is a fine home ground for any club, but as a league have clubs moved beyond the lure of added income in favour of real home advantage even for what on paper is a huge mismatch? No agenda to the question, simply interested in opinion on the pros or cons of things.

[Yossarian]

Would be rather difficult to squeeze 35k people into to anywhere without a direct bus route or airship....

(For the purist), hypothetically would SRFC have considered using the part 'owned' national association football ground at Landdowne Rd sponsored by Aviva Insurance, if current SARS-CoV-2 restrictions werent in place. Tallaght Stadium is a fine home ground for any club, but as a league have clubs moved beyond the lure of added income in favour of real home advantage even for what on paper is a huge mismatch? No agenda to the question, simply interested in opinion on the pros or cons of things.

If this was normal circumstances I think Rovers would be mad moving the game to the Aviva. And I wouldn’t want Dundalk to move the game either if we had such a high profile opponent. Why give up your competitive advantage to satisfy people who don’t care about your club. And realistically anyway, I don’t think AC Milan would fill the aviva.

[oriel]

That's the 3rd away draw in a row we have got this year in europe, if we get past the Andorran side. We should be favs for that, but one game at a time, will still be a tricky tie, but certainly its one of the more favourable all the same.

Should we advance, the Sheriff game will be obviously much tougher, but looks like they will defibnitely lose home advantage for that, and if we can regain form and confidence, might have a chance, they are not the same standard of their sides from 3-4 years ago, then again neither are we. They will still be firm favs for that game mind.

Real pity Rovers can't have fans at that game v Milan, but obv same for all other sides across Europe, maybe Coleraine wouldnt have beaten Maribor on pens away if they had partisan fans there, who knows, in one off games you will always have a chance of an upset, less so in two legs as the bigger team will generally find you out in the second leg.

[placid casual]

Anyone know what's odds the Inter team from Andorra are for the game?
Definitely worth a tenner If the odds are decent. dalk are a mess.

[pineapple stu]

Are they any better than Cobh?

[redobit]

Good draw for Dundalk.
Terrible draw for Shamrock imo. Fair enough the draw has a bit prestige about it, but who cares about that. Europe is a cash cow and LOI clubs need to milk that the heffer dry. Reminds me of 2012 when Chelsea were playing in Champions League final, if they won the CL we went straight into 3rd round of Europe instead of the 2nd round. Loads of people saying it would be great to go straight into the 3rd round but give me a round below and a tie against a winnable team any day.

[pineapple stu]

I suppose ordinarily AC Milan would be worth more than going through a round

Plus in the end of the day a trip to the San Siro with your LoI club is worth more than just money

But yeah, in this year, it's a bit of a kick in the teeth of a draw.

[MKMK]

Part owned leashold interest. The IRFU still own the ground. Be mad not to take the opportunity to move game if they were sure they would pass the breakeven figure by a good margin. It would be a great spectacle.If there was substantial TV money it would make sense to play it in Tallaght. Lets hope they really put it up to them.

[El-Pietro]

I suppose ordinarily AC Milan would be worth more than going through a round

Plus in the end of the day a trip to the San Siro with your LoI club is worth more than just money

But yeah, in this year, it's a bit of a kick in the teeth of a draw.
The memories are more important than the money, especially in the LOI where you can guarantee the club will blow the money sooner or later. One of the biggest disappointment that Cork City fans talk about from our recent run in Europe is that we never got that big European away day.
We played Legia and Genk and those were incredible stadiums, and it was interesting following Genks success in Europe that year but we look at Rovers getting Milan, Juventus, Spurs. Going back 10/15 years these draws were more common. We played Red Star Belgrade, Drogheda drew Dynamo Kiev. Derry vs PSG, Shels against Deportivo, Pats vs Hertha, Bohs against Kaiserslautern. Obvioulsy its all subjective and some of those are more appealing because they come from big leagues rather than any specific European pedigree.

Its the nature of European competition in the current era. UEFA doing everything it can to help the bigger teams/countries and make sure they are in the later rounds and the rest of us can fight it out for several rounds for the privilege of a couple of spots between the bottom 20 leagues or so.

So for Rovers to actually draw one of the most famous teams in World Football, but to do so in a year where their fans can't attend, there is no away leg etc, thats a real stinker. In a normal year you want the best chance of progressing, or alternatively the money spinning draw against a team like Milan, and so often we end up in the middle, drawing a tough but unappealing team from Norway or Cyprus or something along those lines where the chance of progression is slim, but you aren't selling the ground out either.

In a perverse, and very selfish way I'm somewhat happy we're not in Europe this year so I don't have to miss out on it, its my favourite time of the year usually. of course it looks like it will be a while until we get back there