LOI in Europe 2022

[passinginterest]

Pat’s getting on top now. What a chance for Breslin. Need to be taking those.

[pineapple stu]

Jaysus - two more dreadful efforts from Pat's there.

Do they want another backpass left 15 yards short again?

[ger121]

They have to take one of these chances.

[passinginterest]

Throwing it away now

[pineapple stu]

They have to take one of these chances.
When you think of the ones they missed in the first leg too, they should have had this out of sight. They'll be disappointed

[patrickccfc]

Very unfortunate handball really. Pats were starting to put the pressure on before it too. Frustrating.

[ger121]

When you think of the ones they missed in the first leg too, they should have had this out of sight. They'll be disappointed

Classic LOI performance after winning the 1st leg away.

[Big Ears]

Ref has lost the plot completely

[patrickccfc]

The free kick that was given on the halfway, a flick from Atakayi, was a very strange decision. That was just before the penalty too so that decision led to the concession of the penalty.

[pineapple stu]

Ref has lost the plot completely
Hasn't he?

There's still time here for a harsh red.

How many bookings is it now?

Edit - 11 bookings including the coaches. Or did he just book a sub as well? So 12 now?

[pineapple stu]

CSKA should be going into the corners here

13th yellow. Unlucky for CSKA?

Nope - final whistle. Interesting tie. Pat's played well against a relatively big side, but the chances they missed and the goals they gave away were shocking

[ger121]

CSKA should be going into the corners here

Levski Sofia have lost 2-1 on penalties in Malta. Don't think I've ever seen a game end 2-1 on penalties

That game is actually in Sofia.

[pineapple stu]

That game is actually in Sofia.
I think it was the final score I saw and it's gone to penalties - so ignore me!

[ger121]

Pat’s blew that one. You have to score at home in these ties.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Anyone know what set all that off after the final whistle?

[bohsmug]

Disappointing for Pat's. To be so late into the tie before falling behind for the first time. CSKA very fortunate to be going through. If Pat's went through it would've meant a minimum of 30 matches for LOI teams in Europe this year by my count. Which I doubt we've gotten close to before, even in group stage years. Knocking CSKA out would've been a massive achievement.

Fair play to Sligo on the night too. Finish their European campaign nicely and happy enough with their lot I'd imagine.

[ger121]

Hamrun showing how to knock out a Bulgarian side. Won 2-1 on the night in Sofia and 4-1 on penalties.

[pineapple stu]

Anyone know what set all that off after the final whistle?
I'm just amazed the ref didn't book anyone in it.

[yurt]

When it comes down to it Pat's are out due to some terrible finishing, not because of some questionable refereeing.

A tough one to take for Pat's fans I'm sure and the worst part now will be reading all the articles talking about moral victories, etc. They were the better team and threw it away today.

CSKA were some shower, would have loved to have seen them put in their place. Can't see them making the groups.

[ger121]

When it comes down to it Pat's are out due to some terrible finishing, not because of some questionable refereeing.

A tough one to take for Pat's fans I'm sure and the worst part now will be reading all the articles talking about moral victories, etc. They were the better team and threw it away today.

CSKA were some shower, would have loved to have seen them put in their place. Can't see them making the groups.

Agreed. They were the architects of their own downfall. Terrible free header to give away for the 1st goal. Penalty was unfortunate but it was a penalty. Basel will batter them in the PO round.

[legendz]

Classic LOI performance after winning the 1st leg away.It was unfortunately. It's been said a lot that CSKA are dangerous from set pieces. When Pat's conceded that corner. I could sense a goal was coming. The first defensive set piece was going to be crucial and Pat's failed miserably.
As the game went on, it was difficult to see CSKA scoring again and Pat's were fluffing their lines.
The free kick near half way and a few free kicks before that were softly awarded to CSKA.
The handball was terrible. Nightmare stuff.
Pat's should have won the first leg by 2 goals. They softly conceded 2 goals tonight. A frustrating loss. They'll be kicking themselves all winter for this one.
Well done to Sligo for winning on the night.

[joey B]

Sofia were pony I thought ,Pats should be raging they didn’t get through,Breslin and O’Reilly missed 2 sitters aswell,Clancy will have nightmares over that tonight….

[CSAD]

When it comes down to it Pat's are out due to some terrible finishing, not because of some questionable refereeing.

A tough one to take for Pat's fans I'm sure and the worst part now will be reading all the articles talking about moral victories, etc. They were the better team and threw it away today.

CSKA were some shower, would have loved to have seen them put in their place. Can't see them making the groups.

They are just a bunch of con artists, luckily for them they had a referee who is willing to buy their crap.

[Jack B]

Saddest thing for me about that tonight is I wish I could be annoyed at the ref etc, but more so just frustrated because we had enough chances that it shouldn't have mattered regardless. Those are the fine margins I suppose. Great effort from the lads all the same, just hope we can actually transfer it into the league for the rest of the season.

[Philosophizer]

Just home from Tallaght. What a night. CSKA are an absolute filthy shower. Gamesmanship and ****housery like I haven't seen in a long time. And the ref was a mess. Totally lost control of the tie. Not sure if the cameras showed it but there was massive melee after the final whistle. I think at least one CSKA Sofia lad was sent off. Another struck out at Forrester and the CSKA staff basically man handled him down the tunnel before he could be sent off too.
All that said, the most frustrating thing was that Pats had the better chances over the 2 legs and should have finished the tie off. That was a tie really there for the taking and they fluffed it because of some bad finishing and a bit of bad luck.

[Knocklyonhoop]

The free kick that was given on the halfway, a flick from Atakayi, was a very strange decision. That was just before the penalty too so that decision led to the concession of the penalty.

not strange, scandalous. I’d be livid if I was a Pats fan

[patsdad]

The footage on Twitter shows that the free leading to the penalty was an incredible decision and when it was played into the box the CSKA player controlled it with his arm. So Pats got done by a double error from the officials.

But as everyone else has said, it wouldn’t have mattered if we’d taken our chances.

[Kiki Balboa]

Rovers have a chance to be in Pot 3 in the Europa Conference. Looking at the teams that might be involved, no reason they should not put some points on the board. Although, there is a big gulf in quality between pot 2 and 3.

Here is where I am seeing the pots: https://twitter.com/tgloban/status/1557841234768674822... Right on the border for Pot 3. A group of FK Partizan, FCSB and Linfield... Rovers might feel they have a chance that they could progress out of it.


----

Poor result from St. Pats tonight. CSKA and Bulgarian football in general are not what they used to be. Shocking decsion though from the ref.

[total hoofball]

Devastating night tonight for the LOI family, congrats to CSKA

[2 Year Contract]

Unlucky from Pats tonight. Just needed to put away one of O'Reilly's two chances or Breslin/Atakayi's chances really. CSKA with the usual cynical stuff that LOI sides regularly seem to be on the receiving end of, coupled with a woeful ref that loves themself to boot.


Anyone know what set all that off after the final whistle?

Their left back Bradley De Nooijer came over to the pats ultras section giving it large celebrating the win and rubbing it in faces. Then Jamie Lennon came over and started on him over it and all hell broke loose then


I'm just amazed the ref didn't book anyone in it.

He did, the lad that instigated the whole thing was sent off as was Adam O'Reilly. Their manager came over and reefed your man out of it after he had been shown the red, he seemed furious at him for his stupidity as he'll now serve a pointless 3 game ban and will miss the tie with Basel over it

[TonyD]

Agreed. They were the architects of their own downfall. Terrible free header to give away for the 1st goal. Penalty was unfortunate but it was a penalty. Basel will batter them in the PO round.

No, it should never have been a penalty. Their lad controlled with his arm first, should have been a free out.

I thought we played well, and were very much on top before the peno. Story of our season though. Not taking chances and gave away a cheap first goal too. Hugely frustrating night. Two red cards issued after the final whistle. Adam O’Reilly for Pats and one of theirs. Horrible shower they were too.

[D24Saint]

Bah humbug, I’ve seen it all before. We had chances we didn’t take. They got a soft goal. The referee had a nightmare. Rinse & repeat. Roll on Sunday v Sligo.

[Jd2793]

it'll be a miracle for cotter if rovers decide to keep onto him. the lad is no where near good enough for any sort of european chasing loi side.

[Skruf]

it'll be a miracle for cotter if rovers decide to keep onto him. the lad is no where near good enough for any sort of european chasing loi side.

I think that’s harsh, and I saw almost all of Cotter’s games for Rovers. He definitely needs to improve his decision making, but he has some serious raw abilities in terms of beating a man, pace and power. I was surprised we let him go on loan to be honest, I thought there was a lot to like.

[Philosophizer]

it'll be a miracle for cotter if rovers decide to keep onto him. the lad is no where near good enough for any sort of european chasing loi side.
He was woeful tonight. The more I see of him, the worse I think he is.
Previously I thought he was awful/ excellent in equal measure, but now it's more 70/30 or even 80/20.
Whenever he does something good now I think he's usually just got lucky.
He takes a lot of risky decisions on the ball. When it comes off for him he looks amazing with his athleticism and power. But more often than not he screws up.
Too inconsistent and way too many mistakes to be a top-end LOI player imo.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Good performance from us tonight so hopefully something to build on for the rest of the season. Not that I think we’d have scored another 2 but would have been an interesting last 20 if we’d scored the penalty.

[Philosophizer]

Anyone know what was the reason for the Pats singing section being in the east stand tonight, while the family section was behind the goal?
Surely it would have made more sense to swap them. You always want your loudest hardcore fans behind the goal!
And it makes for a much better spectacle on TV. With the way it was, the Pats fans were sitting beside the gantry so wouldn't have been very visible on TV. Pity.

[TonyD]

Anyone know what was the reason for the Pats singing section being in the east stand tonight, while the family section was behind the goal?
Surely it would have made more sense to swap them. You always want your loudest hardcore fans behind the goal!
And it makes for a much better spectacle on TV. With the way it was, the Pats fans were sitting beside the gantry so wouldn't have been very visible on TV. Pity.

Well the Stand behind the goal was only opened after the other two stands had sold out, so I dare say that’s the reason.

[ontheotherhand]

Anyone know what was the reason for the Pats singing section being in the east stand tonight, while the family section was behind the goal?
Surely it would have made more sense to swap them. You always want your loudest hardcore fans behind the goal!
And it makes for a much better spectacle on TV. With the way it was, the Pats fans were sitting beside the gantry so wouldn't have been very visible on TV. Pity.

Conversely it sounded like it was a good atmosphere. Cameras should really be in the West Stand in Tallaght. If you have a singing section of any size in the East Stand it's too close to the cameras and tends to sound too big for its size.

[legendz]

Conversely it sounded like it was a good atmosphere. Cameras should really be in the West Stand in Tallaght. If you have a singing section of any size in the East Stand it's too close to the cameras and tends to sound too big for its size.Cameras should be in the West Stand because of the glare from the sun.

[texidub]

Ach, that was there for the taking for Pat's, but killer instinct lacking. Enjoyable game and even though a disappointing result and CSKA no great shakes (also dirty), we're talking about a game where a well known European side were lucky enough to win in normal time and celebrated like they won the Champions League after beating a LoI side.

[pineapple stu]

Rovers have a chance to be in Pot 3 in the Europa Conference. Looking at the teams that might be involved, no reason they should not put some points on the board. Although, there is a big gulf in quality between pot 2 and 3.

Here is where I am seeing the pots: https://twitter.com/tgloban/status/1557841234768674822... Right on the border for Pot 3. A group of FK Partizan, FCSB and Linfield... Rovers might feel they have a chance that they could progress out of it.
Jays - there's some tough teams in Pot 4 all the same. FC Zurich, Silkeborg and Sivasspor?

[Straightstory]

Pats scored two goals in four games in Europe - which also included 30 minutes of extra time. Dire finishing cost them. They really messed up on a night which, if they'd managed not to lose, would have been the greatest moment in their history.
On the terrible referee, similar to the Rovers game, we're getting to the point where almost every foul is punished by a yellow card. Ir's just ridiculous at this point.

[Philosophizer]

Even after a sleep I have to say I'm still frustrated about that pats match. I've seen a lot of LOI matches in Europe but don't think I've ever been that frustrated after a tie. I think the feeling was mutual for nearly everybody at the stadium. And the players too - hence the bust up after the whistle. It's quite rare you see that really.
Be interesting to see if the ref gave any more reds in the tunnel or dressing room.
Hope they've a few suspended for the playoff and Basel give them a battering.

[legendz]

Pat's were good in the first leg. CSKA being strong at set pieces and Pat's inconsistency were both flagged ahead of this round.

[outspoken]

Anyone know what was the reason for the Pats singing section being in the east stand tonight, while the family section was behind the goal?
Surely it would have made more sense to swap them. You always want your loudest hardcore fans behind the goal!
And it makes for a much better spectacle on TV. With the way it was, the Pats fans were sitting beside the gantry so wouldn't have been very visible on TV. Pity.

Actually thought it was far better having the singing section there. Don't know why it just worked.

[Nesta99]

Whether it was a peno or not it Brockbank making himself big with his arms wide initially, made it easier for the ref to give a peno, Forrester called him on it too. There is a tendency not to be ruthless enough and misses were costly, anyone who gets a really clinical striker in LoI has a rare asset. the concession of the 1st goal was a complete switch off by the defenders, a very basic error really. It was quite similar to Dundalk first time playing BATE at home, missed chances while being the better side, they were scumbagish all game and at full time (0-0) and went through, started a melee with their celebrations, Dundalk players went to shake hands and they started eyeballing and shoving - the worst level of sportsmanship id ever seen. It boiled down to some naivety and same with pats last night, but its a big learing curve and St Pats will be the better for it.

Im not sure about Cotter as a full back or wing back even as his defensive duties can be so inconsistent and wayward passing in dangerous areas. If he was converted to a good old style winger it could suit with his pace and generally good technical albeit raw technical ability. Would then be ok with basic defensive duties with a work ethic which he has.

It hurts when this kind of result happens but Pats fans shouldnt be too downbeat, its a team thats building and this will be a massive boost knowing that they could compete at this level. It will be about how they deal with the disappointment, either bring that level of performance in to the league or let it get under the skin. There will be other big European nights at some point and maybe last night will be the basis of development for going 1 better next opportunity.

[Jd2793]

He was woeful tonight. The more I see of him, the worse I think he is.
Previously I thought he was awful/ excellent in equal measure, but now it's more 70/30 or even 80/20.
Whenever he does something good now I think he's usually just got lucky.
He takes a lot of risky decisions on the ball. When it comes off for him he looks amazing with his athleticism and power. But more often than not he screws up.
Too inconsistent and way too many mistakes to be a top-end LOI player imo.

agree on all that. he was as wasteful with the ball away from home too. just no where near the kind of player rovers/any challenger want IMO. he reminds me a bit of colm horgan , athletic but not very good with the ball but at least horgan could make the right decision once in a while.

[Philosophizer]

Actually thought it was far better having the singing section there. Don't know why it just worked.
They put on a great display, no doubt about that. I thought they were fantastic all game. In my head a singing section just always seem to naturally belong behind the goal. It can convey the atmosphere to the TV audience and I think it can benefit the team actually. A raucous stand behind a goal can sometimes help as it can make opposition defenders and goalkeepers a bit nervy (they're only human after all) and can have an influence on refs too. It's all part of your home advantage - that raucous support behind a goal.
There's a mad stat from a few years back about the amount of penos Liverpool were awarded in front of the kop versus the amount they conceded. It was ridiculous over a long time period. And this was before Klopps time so they were nothing like the supreme outfit they are these days dominating teams.

[TonyD]

Pats scored two goals in four games in Europe - which also included 30 minutes of extra time. Dire finishing cost them. They really messed up on a night which, if they'd managed not to lose, would have been the greatest moment in their history.
On the terrible referee, similar to the Rovers game, we're getting to the point where almost every foul is punished by a yellow card. Ir's just ridiculous at this point.

Yep. Lack of finishing has really been costing us this season. There have been plenty of games where the result has got away because we spurned chances. We are crying out for someone to put the ball in the net. Don’t know about really messed up, because we did play well after the first 15 minutes or so. The penalty decision still stings though. I wasn’t sure having seen it live, but thought it probably was, but having seen it back I’m convinced we were done by the ref. Was just as much a handball by their player, and it came off him first, so never a pen. Ah well. Crucial that we bounce back on Sunday now.