As has been the case before for Stephen Kenny, it’s a familiar foe he faces as Dundalk take on Rosenborg tonight in Oriel Park. While manger of Bohemians, Kenny took his then-charges to Norway but succumbed to a 5-0 aggregate defeat when the margin
As has been the case before for Stephen Kenny, it’s a familiar foe he faces as Dundalk take on Rosenborg tonight in Oriel Park. While manger of Bohemians, Kenny took his then-charges to Norway but succumbed to a 5-0 aggregate defeat when the margins and gulf in class were there for all to see. Times have changed for both parties involved in that 2004 clash with Kenny now in charge of a Dundalk side who could only dream of European nights in 2004 and Rosenborg, who some say are not the European powerhouses they once were. Despite growing expectation and demand for Dundalk to continue their European successes, it may once again be a step too far, although Dundalk have been written off more than once under the Dublin managers tenure while in Europe. Speaking at the press conference today Kenny was very happy with preparations towards tonights game have gone and stressed the importance of the full seven days to focus on the crunch tie. “We obviously had a heavy injury list earlier in the season but now we have everyone fit for tomorrow so thats a boost,” which is welcome news following a stop-start first series of league games for some Dundalk players. “Its great to have the Champions League tie in Dundalk,” stated Kenny. “This is the soul of the club really and its great for people to have it here and the locality. “There was some great European nights here but that was absent for a long time, but there has been some fantastic European nights that we couldn't have really dreamed of coming in a few years ago. We never take that for granted and some of the performances have really captured the imagination with last season being quite special.” Focusing on Rosenborg he cited on the system they played and how its become a staple of the manner in which they play at the club. “They play a 4-3-3 and they have always played that system over the past 15 years. “They never waiver and its amazing really, its quite structured with all their players immensely disciplined tactically. “Even though you know whats coming it’s difficult to stop. “This team has won the double-double and you have to respect that and they have a winning mentality in their team.” Kenny believes that his players will want to focus on themselves and not the opposition. “We want our players to be confident and play from the back and try and create chances. “We have been a lot better defensively especially in the last ten games and we want to continue that” he further added. “The preparations have been good, they are well prepared and they are ready and we don't doubt ourselves and we will believe in what we are doing. “The players are very focused on this, we should go out and enjoy the game. There is a lot of interest in this game, so its great games to be involved in. I will go and tell the players and go and express themselves and enjoy it."
