16 August 2018
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork City have it all to do as they head to Norway to face Rosenborg in the second leg of their Europa League Third Qualifying Round tie today.
The Trondheim side claimed a 2-0 win at Turner’s Cross in the first leg last week to put them in pole position ahead of the return, but City bounced back with a 5-1 win away to Home Farm in the FAI Cup on Sunday.
The home side have also been in action since their visit to Cork, drawing 1-1 with Stabæk on Sunday.
Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie ahead of the game, City boss John Caulfield said:
“We feel that the next goal will be very important; if we can score, then the game is back on. They are a very good side and have very good players but, for the first twenty-five minutes in the home leg, we took the game to them and we were really good. We just weren’t clinical enough and, in the second half, we put them under pressure, but they defended well.”
“We feel we can create chances. It is going to be difficult because we are two nil down, but we have a game plan to go out and see if we can get the first goal. If we can do that, it is game on, but that is easier said than done!”
“We may make some changes; some of the lads came in for the Home Farm game on Sunday and did well. We came in then on Monday and we have done a lot of work on what we plan to do and what we hope to do. We go into the game two nil down, and we are disappointed with that, but, at the same time, if we can get the first goal then the game is back on.”
“We need to try and get that first goal to open up the tie and we are very positive about that. We feel that we can score. We have created a lot of chances in Europe this year and we haven’t taken them, but we have a lot of guys in our team who can create chances and get goals, so our work is geared towards getting that first goal and taking it from there.”
Colm Horgan remains on the injured list, while Alan Bennett will also miss out.
Referee: Mads-Kristoffer Kristoffersen (Denmark).
Injury News: Colm Horgan, Alan Bennett
Suspensions: None.
Last game: Home Farm 1-5 Cork City
European Match History: Click Here
League Form (League, most recent game first): W W W D L
