Dundalk FC return to European action at Tallaght Stadium as they host familiar foes Estonian league leaders Levadia Tallinn. 1,500 spectators will be able to attend Thursday’s game and the Lilywhites will be hoping for to use all their European expe
Dundalk FC return to European action at Tallaght Stadium as they host familiar foes Estonian league leaders Levadia Tallinn.
1,500 spectators will be able to attend Thursday’s game and the Lilywhites will be hoping for to use all their European experience against the Estonian side.
Tallinn will be out to avenge the result to 2018, where Dundalk followed up a 1-0 away victory with a 2-1 victory at Oriel Park.
Watch highlights from that match here.
Dundalk are hoping to build on their first-round victory over Welsh side Newtown FC.
The match kicks-off at 8pm and available on LOITV for €10. Order here.
Overview
UEFA Europa Conference League – Second Qualifying Round
22/07 - First Leg – Dundalk v Levadia Tallinn, KO 20:00 (stream available on LOITV to purchase for €10)
29/07 – Second Leg – Levadia Tallinn v Dundalk, KO 17:30 (Stream TBC)
Levadia Tallinn are nine-time Estonian Champions and qualified for Europe courtesy of a third-place finish last term. They also claimed a record 10th Estonian Cup to end the 2020 / 2021 season on a high.
Current form and Statistics
The Estonian side advance to the second-round tie thanks to a 4-2 aggregate victory over St. Joseph’s FC (Gibraltar). Dundalk advanced as a result of an impressive 5-0 aggregate victory over Newtown FC (Wales).
On the domestic front, the visitors on Thursday have won their last seven games and come into the tie off the back of a 4-1 victory over Nõmme Kalju on Sunday.
Dundalk come to Tallaght following a 1-1 draw at home to Longford Town. Prior to that, the Lilywhites had impressive wins over Drogheda United and Derry City respectively.
Attack
Tallinn are potent in attack and lead the scoring charts in the Meistriliga with an immersive haul of 42 goals in 17 games. 11 of those goals came from the penalty spot with attacking midfielder Zakaria Beglarishvili leading the scoring charts with 14 goals.
Midfield
Tallinn are very much a possession-based team with an average of 65% in the domestic games this season. Their passing statistics are the highest in the league with an average if 505 per game and they also top the charts for progressive runs and passes into the final third. The completion rate of their passes is 77.56% but they are not afraid to advance with the ball.
Defence
Levadia have a tendency to tackle hard with the highest intensity in the league. This may be a contributing factor to poor disciplinary at times with the most yellow (48) and red (5) cards this season. They have also committed the second highest number of fouls this campaign (12.85 per game).
European Record
Levadia have qualified for European competition every year since 2012.
They've played Irish opposition Irish opposition in five previous European ties. Tallinn’s sole victory came against Bohemians in 2004 with seven defeats in ten matches.
Recent meetings include 2017 where a Cork City managed side by John Caufield ran out 6-2 aggregate winners over the Estonians, with a Seanie Maguire hat-trick in the second leg. The other occasion was the defeat to Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk in the 2018/2019 Europa League first qualifying round.
Key Player: Zakaria Beglarishvili – Midfielder
The 31-year old Georgian joined Tallinn this season and has hit the ground running with 14 goals and eight assists. Not only are his goals impressive but he also attempted the fourth most shots per game in the division (3.87).
Prior to his time with Tallinn, Beglarishvili played for numerous clubs including a fruitful spell with fellow Estonian side Flora Tallinn, spending eight years and accumulating over 200 appearances. He will be his second visit to Dublin 24 after featuring for Flora in a 1-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in 2011.
Head Coach: Vladimir Vassiljev
Joining the club in 2016, Vassiljev served his time as U17 and U20 Head Coach before his promotion to the first team set-up in 2017. The 33-year-old became Head Coach in July 2020 after a successful spell as Caretaker Manager guiding the side to their tenth Estonian Cup.
Vassiljev was involved with the Estonian national team as an Assistant Coach in 2020.
