Europa League Preview: Dundalk FC -v- Maccabi Tel-Aviv

DUNDALK FC

Record breaking League of Ireland champions, Dundalk FC will once more pursue history tomorrow night as they look to become the first Irish team to gain a victory in the group stages of European football.

Stephen Kenny’s men became the first side from the Airtricity League side to avoid defeat in a group stage match in Europe following their incredible 1-1 draw with AZ in Alkmaar two weeks ago. Ciaran Kilduff’s 89^th minute leveller sparked wild celebrations from the large Lilywhite contingent that had travelled.

Indeed, the result was all the more spectacular seeing as the County Louth side were down to 10-men and firmly under the cosh following captain Stephen O’Donnell’s 70^th minute dismissal. Despite being put under severe pressure either side of Kilduff’s goal, with nine minutes of added time being played, Dundalk held out. Their defensive resolve speaks volumes for the belief and determination that Kenny has instilled into his team.

However, as has already been mentioned, the Lilywhites will be without their talisman, inspiration and skipper for Thursday night’s match at Tallaght Stadium. So often described as the ‘heartbeat’ of the side, Stephen O’Donnell’s absence will be keenly felt. Chris Shields appears to be the likeliest candidate to replace O’Donnell as the deepest lying midfielder.

Dundalk, like their Israeli opponents, go into the game top of their domestic league and also on the back of a morale boosting victory – having defeated Derry City 3-1 on Friday night.

Winger Daryl Horgan was imperious in that win. Having assisted in goals for John Mountney and David McMillan, the Galweigan was deservedly awarded Man of the Match. His performances have been so impressive in recent weeks that there have been calls for him to be included in Martin O’Neill’s Irish international squad ahead of the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

Despite this though, O’Neill has refrained from calling up the dazzling Dundalk number seven, instead letting him concentrate on helping the Lilywhites battle on three fronts, with the FAI Cup still in the Lilywhites’ grasp.

With Maccabi having more continental pedigree than the champions of Ireland, along with arguably having the more refined players technically, Dundalk may have to rely on set-pieces when attempting to forge opportunities. Brian Gartland’s partnership with Andy Boyle has clearly been the foundation for the Lilywhites in their two league triumphs in consecutive seasons, however, the pair are equally as efficient in the opposition penalty area with Gartland in particular being a goal-scoring force. His two goal haul from Dundalk’s recent league meetings with Shamrock Rovers and Derry illustrates his attacking nous.

Ahead of tomorrow night’s game at Tallaght Stadium, Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny told RTE.ie: “We’ve earned the right to be here and we are fully aware that a win tomorrow night could put us possibly on top (of the group). That is our intention.

“There are plenty of threats with Maccabi, but we have quite a few ourselves and we are not inhibited or in any way feeling inferior,” Kenny added.

MACCABI TEL AVIV

Maccabi Tel-Aviv were part of last season’s UEFA Champions League group phase. The Israeli’s were pitted in group G alongside Chelsea, Porto and Dynamo Kiev, however, they endured a miserable campaign – losing all six matches, scoring only one goal and conceding 16.

Last term Maccabi also finished second in the Israeli Premier League, three points behind champions, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, having won the title for the previous three seasons.

In June, Georgian Shota Arveladze was announced as the club’s new manager and Maccabi, under his stewardship, have started the season extremely well. They defeated Slovenian (ND Gorica), Kazakhstani (FC Kairat Almat), Romanian (CS Pandurii Târgu Ji) and Croatian (Hajduk Split) opposition to qualify for the Europa League group stages for the first-time.

The 21-times champions of Israel currently sit top of the league on 16 points, six games into the season. Their most recent league outing saw them defeat fierce rivals, Hapoel Tel Aviv, 5-0 in the Tel-Aviv derby on Sunday. Striker Tal Ben Chaim got on the score sheet twice at the weekend and the Israel international is expected to pose the most threat to Dundalk on Thursday night.

Despite being more acclimatised to continental competition though, Maccabi may still be suffering from their opening game defeat to Zenit St. Petersburg. Maccabi led 3-0 after 50 minutes, however, a dramatic last gasp collapse saw Zenit register four goals in the last 14 minutes of the match to claim the three group points.

Maccabi manager Shota Arveladze was full of praise for Dundalk ahead of their meeting on Thursday.

The 43-year-old told the pre-match press conference: "I expected a more British style of football – long balls and a 4-4-2, but this is not what I have seen. The philosophy has been the same all the games, they want to hold the ball.

"We followed Dundalk and watched the games they played in Europe. They want to move the ball and their striker (David) McMillan can score a lot of goals. (Daryl) Horgan also is an excellent player."

For a full report from the Maccabi pre-match press conference see here.

Referee: Andris Treimanis (Latvia)

MATCH STATS

Neither Dundalk FC nor Maccabi Tel-Aviv have faced respective Israeli or Irish clubs in European competition before, however, there have been three previous meetings between other clubs from the countries. Shamrock Rovers’ 1-0 defeat of Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv in the 2010/2011 Europa League qualifiers was the last such meeting.

Ciaran Kilduff was Dundalk’s hero in their opening group game draw with AZ. The striker turns 28-years-old on the same day as the Lilywhites face Maccabi.

Georgian Shota Arveladze is in his first year in charge of the Israeli champions. The former Ajax, Glasgow Rangers and AZ attacker scored 32 goals in his 64 UEFA Cup appearances as a player.

BETTING

Dundalk FC 5/2; Draw 12/5; Maccabi Tel-Aviv 11/10.

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 2-1 Maccabi Tel-Aviv

Dundalk FC

Injured: Ciaran O’Connor

Doubtful: Darren Meenan

Suspended: Stephen O’Donnell

Maccabi Tel-Aviv

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Eli Dasa

For more on Macabbi Tel Aviv, see Mike Hanley's club profile piece for extratime.ie here.