Europa League Preview: Skoda Xanthi vs Linfield

Linfield make their way to Greece for the Europa League second qualifying round tie on the back of a personal record breaking run.

Not only did the Blues achieve their first away victory in Europe since 1966, the Belfast outfit also recorded two wins in both legs of a European tie for the first time in the club’s history, courtesy of a 5-0 aggregate win over Faroese side IF Fuglafjørður in the first qualifying round.

However, much more formidable opposition lies ahead for Linfield in the second qualifying round as they take on Greek Super League side, Skoda Xanthi.

Linfield’s trip to Greece will no doubt bring back memories of the infamous 1984 meeting with Panathinaikos FC, the last time the Blues faced Greek opposition in Europe. Manager David Jeffery was then a player for Linfield as the Blues narrowly lost 2-1 in Athens while in the return leg, went 3-0 up after 25 minutes and looked to be cruising into the next round. However, Panathinaikos re-grouped and produced a stunning comeback at Windsor Park to progress as 5-4 winners on aggregate.

Skoda Xanthi enter the European stage despite only finishing 7^th in their domestic league. Due to the failure of PAS Giannina and afterwards, Panathinaikos FC, to obtain a UEFA licence, it was Xanthi that were rewarded the last European spot for Greece.

Regardless, the task that lies ahead for Linfield can be viewed as a monumental one, with the Greek Super League now ranked within the top 10 in Europe. Xanthi themselves can lay claim to some established ex-Premier League stars in recent years such as Tomasz Radzinski, Emerson and George Boateng. The Blues will also be cautious of players in Skoda’s current set up such as the skilful Frenchmen Nicolas Marin, Brazilian winger Marcelinho and experienced captain, Spyros Vallas.

The side from Thrace have only met three opponents in Europe before this occasion, but all have been reputable sides in the form of Lazio, Middlesbrough and Dinamo Bucharest. 

But while Skoda Xanthi at first appear a daunting task for the Blues and look firm favourites to progress, there are some positives that Linfield can take going into the clash.

Unlike Linfield’s first round opponents, Xanthi have only recently began their pre-season preparations. Having played their last competitive game at the end of May, Xanthi are unlikely to be as sharp or as match fit as they are usually accustomed to. In addition, while Linfield have been gathering momentum and breaking some European curses of their own, Skoda Xanthi have never actually won a game in Europe and until their last European campaign, had never scored a goal.

David Jeffery has taken a 20 man squad with him to Greece, with temperatures expecting to be around 30 degrees around the time of kick-off. While Jeffery is expected to name a relatively unchanged side to the one that faced IF Fuglafjørður in the first round, Sean Ward could make his Linfield debut after signing from rivals, Glentoran in the summer.

Linfield will take on Skoda Xanthi at The Skoda Xanthi Arena on Thursday 18h July (19:15 GMT KO).