Another season, another year with out CL football. Except this time we have to play two rounds to qualify for the group stage. We're going to face the winner of Viking (Norway) vs. Aberdeen (Scotland), it's a single match being played on September 24th at our home. Winner goes to the Europa League playoff match, played on October 1st.
I wonder how this is going to work out with all the covid cases within our team. From what I've read, games won't be postponed in Europa League in this type of situation. Gonna have to use anyone that can kick a ball.
From what I read UEFA has been delegating the decision to the local health departments. Already some teams have forfeited matches... this is gonna come down to the wire whether we have players to play.
Some good news, a new round of tests for the remaining squad players today showed all negative. Hopefully this will improve our chances of playing Aberdeen.
Looks like another round of tests proved negative, which should mean we can play the qualifer vs. Aberdeen tomorrow. These players are isolated after testing positive and won't be picked: GK: Renan and Max Def: Eduardo Quaresma, Goncalo Inacio and Borja Mid: Palhinha, Pedro Goncalves and Rodrigo Fernandes Attack: Nuno Santos
Starting XI vs. Aberdeen (3 PM EST) Adán; Coates, Luís Neto, Feddal; Pedro Porro, Matheus Nunes, Wendel, Nuno Mendes; Tiago Tomás, Vietto, Jovane Cabral
Close to 2-0 with Jovane. Been a slow performance, it's obvious our fitness is lacking, while the scottish team have much more fitness.
That was definitely a snoozer. Not much going on. At least we won and progressed through the next round.
We can excuse some things on the covid crisis that hit us, but not everything. Porro and Coates were great but that's it. And our attack was woeful, we had one chance the entire half (thankfully we scored on that chance). Against Paços and LASK Linz (who we lost to 3-0 in 2019 in Europa League) we'll need to be much better.
Still need a striker. Really tough to start the season without one. Should have been the first thing on the list.
Ruben Amorim is recovered from covid and back training the squad. Gonçalo Inacio and Rodrigo Fernandes also recovered. Hopefully Pote gets recovered quickly, he'd be important as well as Palhinha.
Starting XI vs. LASK Linz: Adán; Luís Neto, Coates, Feddal; Porro, Wendel, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes; Vietto, Nuno Santos, Tiago Tomás Only 1 change, Nuno Santos replaces the injured Jovane.
Are we playing with a false 9? Tiago Tomás appears to be on wing, with Vietto in the middle but behind the wingers.
Yes big fan of it. LASK starting with a really high press. There is space to be exploited though just gotta be smart and precise.
Yeah seems like it. Except he cant make a simple pass and Tomas has the first touch of a horse apparently.
LASK giving us no time with the ball. A lot of pressure on us, but for the most part we have been passing well. Just can't get that final pass in that will give us a dangerous chance.