UEFA Champions League Qualifying Round Two, second leg: Crusaders v Skenderbeu Korce (tonight, Seaview, 7.45pm, Skenderbeu lead 4-1)
CRUSADERS striker Diarmuid O’Carroll believes their Champions League adventure has been “brilliant preparation” for mounting a strong defence of their Irish Premier League title next season.
The Crues have a mountain to climb in their Champions League Qualifying Round Two clash tonight as they trail Albanian outfit Skenderbeu Korce 4-1 from last week’s first leg.
O’Carroll insists that all the Irish League champions can do is win tonight’s second leg and see where it takes them.
“In fairness, 4-1 was very harsh on the boys,” O’Carroll said.
“I think in the first half we maybe chased them a bit too much and we probably tired late in the game. I think 3-1 might have been fair because they were very good on the night.
“Had we kept it to 2-1 we would have been laughing but the fourth was a wee bit harsh on us.”
The Kerry native added: “We’d be confident we can win on the night. It will be very, very tough to make up a three-goal gap without them scoring but we’re going into the game to attack them. If we’re put out, we’re put out.
“But it’s in our backyard and I’m sure we’ll be a wee bit more physical and get in amongst them.”
Colin Coates is available again after missing last week’s first leg, but Paul Heatley (holidays) and new signing from Bangor Jordan Forsythe (injured) are ruled out of tonight’s return match.
“Obviously it wasn’t an easy trip for us last week but it was all part of the experience. Boys have never been to that part of the world before. It was obviously tough and it was a challenge but that’s what it’s all about.”
Given the three-goal deficit, it’s unlikely Stephen Baxter’s men will progress any further in the Champions League this season – but O’Carroll feels the Crues players couldn’t have had a better pre-season.
“I personally think it’s brilliant. You couldn’t get better. There’s no point running up and down a hill a hundred times if you get the chance to play against players who are superior than you a lot of the time.
“It gets you used to the football side of it a lot quicker. In saying that, some people do feel the come-down from playing in front of big crowds and playing against the full-time teams in Europe.
O’Carroll, who moved from Cliftonville to Crusaders at the start of last season, says they are well equipped to handle the pressure of being defending league champions.
“A lot of us haven’t defended a league title before but the boys have got the monkey off their back now of winning a league title.
“Michael Carvill’s quality is well known and he is a top class player.
“We also brought in Jordan Forsythe from Bangor, who was The Championship player of the year. Andy Mitchell has played about 50 games from Rangers first team.
“You bring back Barry Molloy and Stephen O’Flynn, and Emmet Friars and Chris Morrow are back from injury, and it’s a strong-looking squad.
“The problem is getting in the team… But whether you’re at Cliftonville or Linfield you need quality breathing down your neck and we now have three or four for every position.”
