LoI in Europe 2024

[Straightstory]

Great win for Rovers. Molde sending-off was extremely harsh, I thought. I remember Pats had a great win in Bulgaria a couple of years ago - and completely messed up the second leg. I think Rovers are made of sterner stuff. Shame about the suspensions for the second leg. It won't be easy.

[MeathDrog]

Ah it was a stone wall red tbf. There was no stopping Noonan and the covering player only caught up once he hit the deck.

I could be wrong, but I feel that this achievement is not getting the due plaudits from the wider public and media. Maybe due to Rovers' excellent run we have become desensitised to these impressive results, but this was an away win against a good club in a European knockout stage. Completely unprecedented.

Obviously counts for nothing if they don't get the job done in the second leg, but still a massive achievement.

[DonegalHoop]

Fantastic result. They managed the tie really well. The new players already look settled, very impressed with Healy in particular. A fully fit Mandriou will be huge for Rovers this year.

[Burnsie]

we've moved ahead of Moldova in the co-efficient rankings, into 32nd.

There's a big gap to the next country up. I would have said that it's unlikely Russia will be adding to their score any time soon, but these days who knows

Still think it's mad that the FAI's 5 Year Plan aimed for Ireland to break the top 30. It must have bene a typo

[pineapple stu]

Into 31st, no?

You never know what'll happen with Russia the way Trump is going...

But for the moment I guess we can assume (as someone else pointed out earlier in thread) that they'll get the 4.333 again this year, so really it's Slovenia we're chasing next, who are 4.093 ahead of us. Not going to catch that this year.

Hard to see this year being as good with Shels in the CL and Drogheda in the Conference. But you never know. Drogheda can't do much worse than Derry did this time I guess.

[yurt]

Into 31st, no?

You never know what'll happen with Russia the way Trump is going...

But for the moment I guess we can assume (as someone else pointed out earlier in thread) that they'll get the 4.333 again this year, so really it's Slovenia we're chasing next, who are 4.093 ahead of us. Not going to catch that this year.

Hard to see this year being as good with Shels in the CL and Drogheda in the Conference. But you never know. Drogheda can't do much worse than Derry did this time I guess.

I think what this year has really shown with so many poor teams being in the new league format is that groups stage wins are the new currency. Rovers have accounted for 2 thirds of our points this year.

If we don't have a team in the conference league picking up a few points we're going to end up way back the rankings. Based on vibes at this point, I'd give Shels a 40% chance and Rovers a 25% of making the groups from their respective paths.

[Acornvilla]

Rovers will at least be seeded the whole way through qualifying but there will be a lot of land mines, going to take a lot of luck to not draw some random unseeded team from a big league. Could definitely see no one making the groups in 2025, but Shels/Pats/Rovers all making a 3rd round of some flavor, and one of those a playoff. It's probably important for the image of the league that someone makes it, but we are still very far away from it being acertinty. Once we have that Europa League spot things get a bit more possible to do it every season.

There is always the slim chance Shels draw someone like TNS in CL Rnd 1, and then you're on to something. Hopefully there's enough bad teams in ECL Rnd 1 that Drogheda get a good experience whatever happens.

As for last night, really excellent, the red obviously helped, still not sure I'd make Rovers favourites next week given they have another very physically and emotionally draining event in between. I think Molde will be marginally better. It is a hell of a way to start a season!

[pineapple stu]

I think what this year has really shown with so many poor teams being in the new league format is that groups stage wins are the new currency. Rovers have accounted for 2 thirds of our points this year.

If we don't have a team in the conference league picking up a few points we're going to end up way back the rankings. Based on vibes at this point, I'd give Shels a 40% chance and Rovers a 25% of making the groups from their respective paths.
Yeah, group stage is huge alright. Don't forget Pat's making the groups - got to the last qualifying round this time. But the draw is very uneven - a weak team from a good country and a good team from a weak country can be seeded the same but really aren't in reality.

[Longfordian]

I didn't realise Noonan is the son of Andrew Noonan, ex LOI player who had some legal trouble a while back along with Keith Quinn. Not sure what happened with that case in the end?

[sbgawa]

Hope you were on that 9/1! Four new signings started last night and all played a part, not bad for 'the same team as last year'. Healy and McGinty are serious upgrades, Grant coped well in a new position and nothing more to add re Noonan that hasn't been said already.

The injured players listed above - Gaffney, Clarke, Jack Byrne and Nugent - were never going to start last night even if fit so the point made about their unavailability is moot but they will add to squad depth when they are back (or when signed in Gaff's case)

A fit Gaffney would have started instead of Noonan and Nugent started all the important games particularly away , ditto Clarke if fit would have played as a natural LWB.
That being said i was impressed with Healy who looked really good and McGinty was sharp for a couple of bad backpasses or through balls that Pohls could have been caught out by si its looking good.
Jury still out on Grant he was alright nothing more.
All in all no question an away win in Europe is huge and i think as someone said above its going under the radar a bit becasue good results have become a bit routine.
Starting 11 for Sunday will be interesting

[Calcio Jack]

Less than 800 tickets left for Thursday ( around 2,000 sold today) so looking like a sell out

[Acornvilla]

I hope the big event at the weekend/injuries and suspensions don't take too much out of them. Sell out crowd and a huge opportunity tonight. Obviously much more optimistic on Rovers' chances than I would have been before the first leg, hopefully Molde are still a bit rusty too :D

[legendz]

There will be a reaction from Molde. No doubt about that. The Rovers manager knows that. Rovers will have to cope with that threat.

[EatYerGreens]

Apparently tonight is officially a sell out. Well done Rovers if so.

[pateen]

A good few big names out tonight. Hopefully they can do it

[SRFC]

Plenty of others - Sligo beat Viking Stavanger in 2022 (having lost 5-1 away), Rovers knocked out Brann in 2019 (arguably Bradley's only other good European result), Dundalk took Rosenborg to extra time after two draws in 2017, and Athlone beat Valerenga in 1975 to set up that tie with AC Milan.

Technically, UCD beat Molde 2-1 in European competition too in 2017, losing by the same score in Molde and going out on penalties (Haaland scoring one)

Great result for Rovers though. Not the first time a nicely-timed red card has helped either - Pat's were facing ten men in the first half in Azerbaijan too. The goal was a complete mess - seems to be happening more often at the other end lately though.

Are we allowed say it's Legia Warsaw or Cercle Brugge next?

Insane statement to make
1-1 draw away to Rapid who have a squad 10 times the value of Rovers
1-1 draw home to Apoel with 10 men for 40 mins
Beating Celje and Vikingur (even allowing for a missed peno) over two legs. Both teams who have qualified for the playoff round drew 2-2 and won 2-1 respectively in the first leg
Beating Shkupi and Teuta home and away - not often a LOI team does that
Beating Larne and TNS - not a great standard, but how often have LOI teams failed to beat teams they are better than

If those aren't good results by your standards, you must be able to count "good" LOI european results on your fingers

[Dermobohs]

I think they will, strong starting 11, though I have major doubts about lopes’ lack of pace and Grant as wing back. Two big areas to cover .

[yurt]

I really hope for them can can go on and do it now. They've earned themselves a hell of a lot of airtime this week between Noonan, the aviva and Bradley's FAI criticism, would be great if they can capitalise and keep Irish football on the back pages for another couple of weeks if this run continues.

Feels like the first 15 minutes will be very important. If they can get a solid start I think they'll grow into the game. Concede from a mistake in the first few minutes and it's hard to see them bouncing back.

[ger121]

Not much on the bench though.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, really weak bench alright. Greene (who's 35) the only trusted option?

Bazunu there - and McDermott the opposition sub keeper.

This on telly anywhere btw?

[ger121]

I see Borac went through. Be funny to see them, Rovers and Vikingur in the last 16.

[2 Year Contract]

Not much on the bench though.
Mad isn’t it? There's 3 keepers named on the bench and even then there’s still 3 empty spaces on the bench. Greene the only senior outfield player. A few Ireland underage youth players there but they’ve no senior experience at all

[ger121]

Mad isn’t it? There's 3 keepers named on the bench and even then there’s still 3 empty spaces on the bench. Greene the only senior outfield player. A few Ireland underage youth players there but they’ve no senior experience at all

Injuries, suspensions and player turnover have really taken a toll.

[pineapple stu]

Hm - 1-0 down already.

Huge task all of a sudden now - you really don't see that bench making any difference if they're chasing a goal in the last 30

[osarusan]

Horrible goal to concede.

[2 Year Contract]

Defensive calamity from Grace there. Absolute shocker from McGinty too

[Philosophizer]

Ah god that’s an absolute calamity. What was Grace thinking? You could see trouble coming there a mile away. Just deal with it Grace ffs.

[joey B]

Disaster of a goal,McGinty really poor…

[geysir]

That ball was begging to be hit into row z.

[ger121]

Seen the goal there. That is an awful goal to concede. Molde only had 13% of the ball to that point.

[ger121]

That ball was begging to be hit into row z.

Never let the ball bounce.

[Philosophizer]

Oof what a pass from Eikrem. Cut open there by pure quality. Good save by McGinty.

[culloty82]

How was that not a penalty?

[osarusan]

I didn't think it was a penalty - it happens all the time that attackers poke the ball past the keeper - an attempt at goal, not trying to keep possession - and then there's a collision.

[yurt]

McEneff should have finished that regardless of the penalty decision. I think a penalty would have been a little harsh on Molde but there's definitely an argument there.

Rovers do look a better team than Molde so I think I do fancy them to kick on and create some chances.

[joey B]

I didn’t think it was a penalty either,keeper wasn’t exactly flying out and taking him out,McEneff had all the momentum and kind of ran into him,not sure where the keeper is supposed to go….

[ger121]

McEneff should have finished that regardless of the penalty decision. I think a penalty would have been a little harsh on Molde but there's definitely an argument there.

Rovers do look a better team than Molde so I think I do fancy them to kick on and create some chances.

Exactly. Was a poor finish one on one with the keeper. Molde would have buried that.

[yurt]

Seeing the rest of the half play out I'm going to try and save Grace and McGinty some face by giving them the excuse of the wind. Seems like it's constantly changing and causing havoc.

Wonder if they'll lose the threat of the ball in behind this half longer balls just run all the way through

[Buckett]

Exactly. Was a poor finish one on one with the keeper. Molde would have buried that.
Molde missed a very similar one on one shortly before!

[geysir]

Natural collision or not, I think there's a case for a penalty, the ball was still in play after the flick and the rover's player was prevented from being there in the box to compete for it.

[ger121]

I see Borac went through. Be funny to see them, Rovers and Vikingur in the last 16.

Celje now 2 up away to APOEL. Another team Rovers beat looking good for last 16

[Philosophizer]

Some questionable decisions by the ref. That was never a free out…

[Philosophizer]

Burke should have buried that. Can’t miss those at this level

[Philosophizer]

Ah Noonan hit it with you’re right. Surely they can’t afford to keep missing these opportunities…

[yurt]

Combination of Molde making some substitutions and the missed chances make you think this game could drift away from Rovers. They might need to win this in normal time.

Healy has been impressive.

[BonnieShels]

Starting to get those oh so familiar LOI in Europe nerves.

[ger121]

Said it earlier on another site that Molde had discipline issues.

[pineapple stu]

On another site ger?! I'm shocked! :D

[Philosophizer]

Molde down to 10 and deservedly so. Great chance for Rovers now in ET.

[2 Year Contract]

Such a braindead second yellow to pickup given his position on the pitch and amount of normal time left to play