Shamrock Rovers v Floriana - All You Need To Know

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIRST ROUND QUALIFIER, SECOND LEG

Shamrock Rovers v Floriana FC, Tallaght Stadium 8pm

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WEATHER

A dry and mostly sunny day. Warm or very warm generally with highest temperatures of 23 to 27 degrees generally, but closer to 20c come kick-off time in Tallaght.

ROVERS NEED A BIG PERFORMANCE

Stephen Bradley's side come into this game looking to overturn a two-goal deficit, following a disappointing result in their first leg last week.

Rovers were in control in the early stages, but Robert Muric's opener in added time at the end of the first half was followed up by Mustapha Jan's goal 11 minutes from the end in Malta.

The Hoops had to see out the final half hour of that match with 10 men after Matt Healy was sent off having picked up a red card for a reckless challenge.

If Rovers can turn the tie around, they’ll progress to the second qualifying stage of the Champions League and at the minimum guarantee themselves a Conference League play-off.

Defeat would see them drop into the second qualifying round of the Conference League.

The Hoops are hoping that they’ll able to draw on a big crowd for support but as the tie clashes with the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain, Rovers have had to get creative with their pre-match marketing.

To that end, they’ve been sending their Champions League truck around the streets of Tallaght, blaring out the Champions League anthem and reminding people that the biggest game of the night may not be in Dallas.

BRADLEY BELIEVES LESSONS HAVE BEEN LEARNED

Stephen Bradley admitted that his side were well bellow what's expected of them last week and that they've left themselves a mountain to climb.

However the Hoops boss also believes that they've learned a lot of lessons from that first leg and expects a vastly improved performance from his side in Tallaght.

Bradley said: "It was a disappointing result for us. But the main thing is coming out of it is we understood it, understood why and as a group, make sure it doesn’t happen again.

"It happened, it’s life, it’s football and sometimes it happens. We were in control of the game for large parts but we were sloppy in moments and it cost us.

"We switched off and got punished. We knew the individuals that were coming in, there were frustrations because it was very unlike us to be in control of the game and make such basic errors.

"It's not beyond us for sure. But we know we need to be a lot better than we were last week. If we want to give ourselves a chance to win the game, we have to be. So it’s definitely not beyond us, we have experience and know how, but we know we need to be better than what we were last week.

"We've been here before. It’s about just being us. You don’t have to score in the first five minutes. It takes a second to score a goal. We just have to respect them."

LOPES RETURNS FROM WORLD CUP ADVENTURE

While Pico Lopes has been off making headlines around the globe thanks to his World Cup exploits with Cape Verde, Rovers have missed his presence in defence and his calming influence was conspicuous by it's absence in the first leg.

Lopes in back in the Rovers squad and is expected to feature in Tallaght where he'll likely receive a hero's welcome from the home fans.

The centre-half looks set to slot back into the back-line where he's will most likely partner Enda Stevens in the heart of defence.

Bradley revealed that Lopes was pushing to be included in the squad for the first leg, having just returned from the World Cup, but that he felt that it was too soon for the defender.

"He was back training last week, he was fine," the Rovers boss said. "He wanted to travel to Malta, but it was too much to ask to come back and play but he's ready to go."

While Lopes is back, Rovers will be without Healy, who must serve a one-match suspension following his red card in the first leg.

Also absent is Victor Ozhianvuna, who is several weeks away from a return, while Danny Grant, Dan Cleary and Danny Mandroiu miss out too. Tunmise Sobowale is also a doubt with a stomach muscle issue.

Floriana, who have yet to start their domestic season, have no new injury concerns or suspension ahead of the second leg and look likely to name a similar starting XI to the first game.

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