Europa League Qualifying Round Two: Shamrock Rovers v AC Milan (tonight, Tallaght Stadium, 7pm)
SHAMROCK Rovers boss Stephen Bradley has urged his players to disregard the famous red and black AC Milan jersey ahead of tonight’s Europa League showdown at Tallaght Stadium with the Italian giants.
Rovers remain unbeaten at the top of the Airtricity Irish Premier Division after 11 games while the 'Rossoneri' have played just two friendly games ahead of their first competitive game of the new season, just seven weeks since clinching their qualification berth in the Europa League.
And due to the tight time-frame, courtesy of Covid19, the Europa League qualifying rounds are being played over just one leg, which gives the Dubliners a puncher’s chance of catching Stefan Pioli’s side who were boosted by the return to fitness of 38-year-old star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic (bruised leg) yesterday.
“Once the game kicks off you’re in the game,” said Bradley, who was part of the Rovers team that faced Juventus 10 years ago in a Europa League tie in Tallaght.
“You can’t think of the name on the back of the shirt, it’s me against him. It’s not about playing the shirt; you’ve got to play the man. There’ll be nervous energy but as long as you channel that the right way, harness it, it can be good.”
Milan’s last competitive visit to Ireland was in 1975 when they drew 0-0 with Athlone Town at St Mel’s Park before the League of Ireland men lost the return leg 3-0.
As with the general decline of Serie A, Milan don’t possess the quality of yesteryear, evidenced by the return to the San Siro of the ageing Ibrahimovic to lead the attack.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is arguably Milan’s best known home-grown player having exploded onto the scene as a 17-year-old just four years ago and has since been touted in Italy as the next Gigi Buffon.
Croatia international Ante Rebic is suspended for tonight’s behind-closed-doors clash while Rafael Leao, Alessio Romagnoli, Mateo Musacchio and Andrea Conti also miss out.
Rory Gaffney (injured) and Liam Scales (suspended) are ruled out for the home side – but Rovers are back-boned by former Republic of Ireland international Joey O’Brien, playmaker Jack Byrne and in-form striker Graham Burke who has extended his on-loan stay at Rovers for another 12 months from parent club Preston NE.
Bradley would have liked the opportunity of playing at the San Siro, but feels Rovers have an infinitely better chance over one leg against an opponent that is lacking in match practice.
“I wouldn’t have said no to going over and playing in the San Siro, either. But it’s one of those things now, just one game and a knockout game. But the home advantage here in the first game was big for us.”
Even though the cards appear to have fallen reasonably kind to the League of Ireland side, Graham Burke was still keen to downplay expectations.
“You're up against players who are worth millions and millions and millions of pounds,” said the 26-year-old Dubliner
“I'm sure AC Milan are not going to sign players who are not great players. These are going to be the best players that we have ever played against and the best players who have graced the Tallaght football pitch.
“There are so many options that they have and one of the greatest strikers to ever play football is playing up front. This is going to be the highest level of football that we have played against.”
