Match Preview

‘A different task completely’ – OK

COLERAINE face Slovenian opposition for the first time in the club’s history as they take on NK Maribor this evening (KO 7:45pm)…

Europa League First Qualifying Round

Overview:

The Bannsiders reached this stage of the competition after a 1-0 win against La Fiorita in the previous round. As the game looked destined to reach extra-time, Oran Kearney’s men would book their name in the hat for the next round as James McLaughlin scored a last minute winner.

As for NK Maribor, they qualified for the Europa League after finishing second in last season’s Slovenian PrvalIga. The Purples are managed by Sergej Jakirović and are fifteen time champions of their league.

Recent European fixtures:

This will be the third time in the last four seasons that the Bannsiders have participated in the Europa League. However, despite playing 41 matches in Europe, this will be first against Slovenian opposition.

NK Maribor have qualified for the group stages of the Champions League twice in the last six years and have recently faced British sides Chelsea, Liverpool, Rangers and Aberdeen in European competition.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We are obviously delighted to get through a round and we know from research and there is a lot of history in relation to the size of the club Maribor is and their achievements in European competition over the last few years,” Kearney said.

“We are all very excited by the challenge we know that it is going to be tough but with that we want to go and give a real good account of ourselves.

“We had a couple who didn’t travel due to work commitments we have no Stephen Douglas, Curtis Allen an Jamie Glackin is obviously injured with a broken arm but apart from that we have a full squad.

“In seven days it has flipped because in the last game we were made favourites even though we were not seeded.

“We were glad to come through that game but seven days on it is a different task completely.

“It will be one that we will respect but in the same stretch we feel as a group that we want to come here and use this opportunity to give it a go.

Admission:

Supporters are not permitted inside the stadium due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

However, the fixture will be shown live on BBC Sport NI website.

As ever, those unable to watch the fixture can follow the latest developments via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC).