Europa League Preview: Rosenborg BK vs. Crusaders

After a spirited first leg performance, Crusaders travel to Norway for the return game of their Europa League encounter with the tie very much alive.

A sublime strike from Jordan Owens found the top corner of the Rosenborg net to give the Crues a dream start on 22 minutes. However, goals from John Chibuike and Jonas Svensson ensured that the visitors came away with a 2-1 win at Seaview, spoiling an iconic result for the Shore Road club.

Regardless, Crusaders will take many positives from their performance against a Rosenborg side who are midway through their season and who are also unbeaten since April.

Despite the fact that they are still in their pre-season preparations, Crusaders were rather unlucky not to come away with a draw and demonstrated massive improvements considering they lost to the same outfit 3-0 at home only last season.

Having made their professional opponents work hard for the victory at Seaview, Crusaders travel to Norway with the tie still undecided and eager to give another good account of themselves.   

While Stephen Baxter’s men have had the past week to prepare for the encounter, Rosenborg faced old rivals Lillestrom in Sunday’s Tippeligaen clash, with the Trondheim club coming away with a 1-0 victory courtesy of John Chibuike’s second goal in one week.

While the Norwegians may be feeling the strain of Sunday’s derby clash, Crusaders will go into the game hungry and determined to give another hard fought performance.

Rosenborg BK will take on Crusaders in the second leg of the Europa League tie on Thursday 11^th July (19:00 KO), where the winners will face Tommy Wright’s St. Johnstone in the second qualifying round.