The Aviva Stadium is set to welcome 6,000 fans on Thursday as Bohemians face off against Icelandic side Stjarnan for their UEFA Conference League First Round, second leg tie. With the tie evenly poised 1-1, the Gypsies will be hoping to take full ad
The Aviva Stadium is set to welcome 6,000 fans on Thursday as Bohemians face off against Icelandic side Stjarnan for their UEFA Conference League First Round, second leg tie.
With the tie evenly poised 1-1, the Gypsies will be hoping to take full advantage of the home support.
The recent abolishment of the away goals rule means its winner takes it all on Thursday with the winners set to face Luxembourg outfit Dudelange in the second-round next week.
Team News
Bohemians winger Stephen Mallon remains doubtful with Promise Omochere already ruled out through injury for the home side.
Stjarnan have no fresh injury concerns as they touched down in Dublin on Tuesday.
Current Form
Bohemians have been in impressive domestic form with the exclusion of a 4-1 defeat to Sligo. Recent results include a 1-0 derby win over Shamrock Rovers and a 3-0 victory over Waterford. Recently crowned SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for June, Georgie Kelly will be hoping for plenty of chances from the youthful Dawson Devoy and Ross Tierney on the expansive Aviva Stadium pitch.
The visitors have one victory and two defeats in the previous three domestic games. They currently sit in eight in the Icelandic league with just three wins in twelve games.
Quotes
Gypsies' Manger Keith Long has prepared his squad for the Aviva Stadium and the occasion. "We've got to try and make it as normal as possible. Playing in the Aviva is different, training in Abbotstown last night was a slight novelty factor but we will try and keep things as normal as we can. It is another game for us. " "For us, our approach is, it is the next game. If we maximise our performance levels we give ourselves a great chance."
On the Aviva Stadium pitch, Long hopes to take advantage of the extra space in the wide areas. “The Aviva pitch is two metres wider but five metres shorter……that gives us extra space in the wides area. We’ve got some good wingers and attacking full-backs but we’ve to be careful not to get done on the transition too.“
A Look Back - Bohemians' last European match in Ireland
Bohemians 0-0 Thór Akureyri, UEFA Europa League, first qualifying round, first leg
Dalymount Park, Dublin
5th July 2012
Bohemians last home game in Europe took place just over nine years ago and featured another Icelandic outfit in Thór Akureyri.
A youthful Gypsies’ side including current stars Keith Buckley and Keith Ward played out a 0-0 draw in front of the Dalymount faithful. The Manager at time was Aaron Callaghan with club legend Owen Heary also lining out on the night.
