Champions League Preview: Rosenborg -v- Dundalk

ROSENBORG

Rosenborg welcome Dundalk to Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim (kick-off 6.15pm Irish time) knowing a clean sheet will be enough to see them through to the next round.

The carrot that awaits both sides in qualifying round number three is a meeting with Celtic or Linfield, the former looking the more likely to progress as they lead 2-0.

However, as the most famous and decorated club in Norway's history, simply holding out won't be enough for manager Kare Ingebrigsten to achieve a passing mark.

The club's fans will expect the champions to go out and attack and control the game and win it on their own terms, so they'll have to play a more expansive game than in Oriel Park.

“We will control the match and we will attack. The aim is obviously to win the match. But we must attack with our wits. Dundalk know they must score goals,” said Ingebrigsten.

“We play a good team who are far from being a thrown ball. We must be at our best to win the match.

“This is a little bit extra compared to a 'regular' match in Eliteserien. There is more at stake.”

Ingebrigsten will be without playmaker Pal Andre Helland after he limped out of the game in Dundalk but otherwise has a full squad from which to select.

DUNDALK

Dundalk travel to Trondheim with confidence rather than trepidation despite trailing on away goals thanks to Tore Reginiussen's first-half equaliser at Oriel Park.

The Lilywhites deservedly hit the front with less than 20 minutes played as David McMillan nodded home but will be frustrated they didn't press the advantage and win the game.

Stephen Kenny's side forced Rosenborg to sit back and defend for much of the game and the away team were pressed into playing direct balls forward to Nicklas Bendtner.

“We played very, very well in the first leg,” manager Kenny told the club's official website.

“We created five great chances and we only really conceded two chances in the game I feel.

“The goal we conceded we dropped too deep for the set play. We should have been a lot higher than we were and we paid the price for that.

“Rosenborg at home, their form is excellent so we will need to raise our performance up a few levels from last week and put in a big performance. ”

While Dundalk will have learned from the first leg they're capable of causing Rosenborg problems, Kenny cautions the Norwegian champions are a different team on home soil.

“It’s unrealistic to expect us to go and dominate the game. Rosenborg will have a different approach to the game than they did in Oriel Park last week and they have a squad full of very good players.

“From our point of view. Our incentive is huge. To qualify for the next stage and we had such a journey last year with all the games that it has given everyone a real taste for that.

“In order for us to progress we are going to have to put in one of the greatest performances in Irish football history.

“They have such a great pedigree. Everyone is really looking forward to it, spirits are good and we will have to play the game of our lives.”

Niclas Vemmelund is Dundalk's only injury worry after picking up a knock in the first leg. Paddy Barrett is his likely deputy, while captain Stephen O'Donnell could also return.

Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan).

MATCH STATS

Last Wednesday's draw at Oriel Park brought to an end a five-game run of wins without conceding a goal for Dundalk, during which they'd scored 16 goals.

The last time Dundalk failed to score a goal was in their last defeat, 3-0 at home to Cork City, on June 2^nd.

BETTING

Rosenborg 2/5; Draw 16/5; Dundalk 6/1.

PREDICTION

Rosenborg 2 – 2 Dundalk

Rosenborg

Injured: Pal Andre Helland.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Niclas Vemmelund.

Suspended: None.