Europa League Preview: IFK Norrkoping -v- St Patrick's Athletic

IFK NORRKOPING

Swedes IFK Norrkoping will be looking to finish the job they started at Richmond Park last week when they host Harry Kenny’s St Patrick’s Athletic at Nya Parken (kick-off is at 7pm).

A goal from Simon Thern and a late OG from defender Lee Desmond has seen Jens Gustaffson’s side take an unassailable two goal lad back to Scandinavia.

Speaking ahead of the game with his club’s media team, Gustafsson noted he wants his side to make the game suit them and not Kenny’s Saints.    

“We will work to ensure that the match picture will suit us and not them, the Norrkoping boss said.  

“It's about having to play a fast and fit-oriented football where we let the ball go within the team in a few strokes and where we run a lot. 

“We also know that there are times when they will threaten us, so we really have to stand up in the duel game and be disciplined in our defence game.

“They are a pretty straight playing team where it tends to be a lot of duel games. Then they are strong in their in-game games and tough to deal with, which we sometimes got to taste down there.”

Like the first leg, Pontus Almqvist and Alexander Jacobsen will both miss out with injury.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC



Looking to do the improbable, St Patrick’s Athletic make the visit to Nya Parken to face IFK Norrkoping in their Europa League First Qualifying Round clash.

The Saints fell to defeat last time out but boss Kenny insists his side will not give up hope of an unlikely second leg triumph.

“It was always going to be a difficult tie, but in Richmond I was hoping to get a better result to give us a chance in the second leg. We won’t give up the tie by any means.

“There are good lads down there who love this club and will die for it and give everything they have in the second leg.”

However, the former Bray Wanderers manager is wary that his side cannot head into the game with an attacking mindset from the off.

“You wouldn’t go attacking straight off,” he said.



“We’ll try and sneak an auld goal and then try and have a go. You still want to be in the game going into the second half of a game like that.

“If you can get something in the first half, fantastic, but you wouldn’t throw caution to the wind too early in a game like that.”

The Saints will also be boosted by the fact that they will have no injury issues to contend with heading into the Nya Parken showdown.

Referee: Dejan Jakimovksi (MKD).

 

MATCH STATS

St Patrick’s Athletic have never overturned a home first leg deficit in a European tie.

The Athletic’s last European win came over Luxembourg side Jeunesse Esch in 2016. The Saints went through on away goals after a 2-1 defeat away from home.

IFK Norrkoping have won 13 Swedish league titles in their 122-year history with six Swedish Cup successes in addition to their name.

BETTING

IFK Norrkoping 1/8; Draw 5/1; St Patrick’s Athletic 12/1.

PREDICTION

IFK Norrkoping 3 - 0 St Patrick’s Athletic.  

 

IFK Norrkoping

Injured: Pontus Almqvist, Alexander Jacobsen.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

With additional reporting from Dave Donnelly