It's a confidence thing in my opinion, at many levels.
Coaches need to have confidence in their teams' ability to play proactively and not set up overly defensively. Rovers at home vs AIK was a perfect example. They had 2 DMs in Tallaght which was unnecessary.
On a player level, they need to have confidence in their own abilities and really feel like they belong and can compete at that level. Derry and Rovers played very well when they were behind/drawing, yet we v rarely see an Irish team (either at club or national level) playing well while they're ahead in a game. It's a running joke that the worst thing that can happen the national team is that they get a goal early in a game. Because we all know what will happen, they'll **** themselves! They'll retreat into their shell and keep going deeper and deeper until the opposition equalises or even takes a lead, at which time they might try to start playing again.
Maybe the average Irish footballer doesn't believe he's as good as his european counterpart, and so he only feels truly comfortable to play his natural game when he's behind, because that's where he thinks he belongs.
In recent years Dundalk have been the only Irish team that can consistently break free from that mindset. My guess is that it's mainly to do with Kenny fostering, who convinces his players that they can compete and win at the european level, regardless of other teams finances/reputations etc.
Last night was again really enjoyable to see them play their natural game and go 2-0 and 3-0 up in the tie and then manage the game. Admittedly they conceded one but they never looked in any danger of letting Levadia back into the tie. Some Levadia players resorted to just hacking Dundalk for the last 10 mins. it was the kind of savvy performance we usually see from european opposition against LOI sides.
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