Shamrock Rovers 2-1 Ludogorets Razgrad (kick-off: 8pm – agg: 2-4)
Hello, and welcome to this evening’s liveblog.
Shamrock Rovers face a tall order against Ludogorets Razgrad, as they attempt to recover from a 3-0 loss in the first leg in Bulgaria.
Over 6,000 fans are expected at Tallaght Stadium tonight and with the exception of the small away contingent, everyone will be hoping for a minor miracle in what would surely amount to the greatest comeback ever produced by an Irish side in Europe.
However, irrespective of the result tonight, Rovers’ European adventure won’t end, as even a loss would see them drop into Europa League qualifying.
To have any hope of pulling off a shock tonight, Stephen Bradley’s side will need a much better display than the first leg.
The Bulgarians were the better team for the majority of the last week’s contest, despite an improved display from Rovers in the second half, while they will also hope to cut out the sloppy defensive errors that contributed to their downfall in Bulgaria.
Confirmation of the Rovers team below. As expected, Jack Byrne and Roberto Lopes miss out through injury.
🚨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
— Shamrock Rovers FC ☘️ (@ShamrockRovers) July 26, 2022
🟢 Grace in defence
🟢 Burke in attack
🟢 Greene leads the line
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬 ☘️#RoversInEurope pic.twitter.com/LUAQG7tYd2
A reminder that should they lose tonight, Rovers will face the losers of the Shkupi-Dinamo Zagreb match in Europa League qualifying.
It finished 2-2 in the first leg ahead of tonight’s return match, which has the same kick-off time as the game in Dublin.
We’re underway…
Richie Towell plays an excellent long ball for the onrushing Burke.
However, the goalkeeper Padt is alert and gets to the ball just before the attacker can latch onto it.
There have been some encouraging signs for Rovers in the early stages.
The Irish side have started this game in the ascendancy.
So close!
O’Neill finds Finn, whose low cross from the right evades the ‘keeper. Towell stretches to get on the end of it, but can’t hit the target from close range.
The 31-year-old midfielder will be disappointed he couldn’t convert that to give Rovers the lead that their positive start has merited.
Mannus is forced into a decent save in reaction to Nedyalkov’s powerful header from a corner.
That’s the first real attack from the visitors and a warning for Rovers.
Burke flashes a low ball across goal, after good work from Greene in the build-up, but frustratingly for the Irish team, there is no one in the right area to convert.
As I type, both Lyons and Towell have had pot shots but neither found the target.
Rovers have been comfortably the better team so far.
SHAMROCK ROVERS 1-0 LUDOGORETS (GREENE 21)
Rovers get the goal that they deserve to give them faint hope in this tie.
It’s an excellent cross by Lyons. Initially, Burke’s header is saved but Greene reacts the quickest to fire into the roof of the net from close range.
It will be interesting to see how both sides react now.
Here’s a look at that opening goal…
𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒏!@ShamrockRovers brilliant start is rewarded as Aaron Greene finds the net!
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) July 26, 2022
Brilliant ball from Andy Lyons 👏
⏱️ 23'
🟢 1-0 🟣 (agg. 1-3)
Watch live | https://t.co/zOGOgOjp1S 📺#LOI | #LOITV | #UCL pic.twitter.com/GZQIPZ2GYv
Burke puts in a dangerous ball but Nedyalkov gets his body in front of Finn to stop him from making a connection.
The hosts continue to look like the better team.
As I type, Tekpetey shoots from about 30 yards out, but it’s straight at Mannus.
Lyons’ cross is only half cleared.
Towell meets it first time on the volley from the edge of the area and his effort goes inches wide.
Tekpetey gets booked after he knocks down Gannon with his arm and moments later, commits a rash challenge on O’Neill.
There are signs of frustration in the visitors’ game of late.
There’s been a bit of gamesmanship from Ludogorets in recent minutes.
Despodov has been guilty of a blatant dive that the referee rightly ignored, while moments prior to that, Tekpetey made the most of a foul to slow the game down and waste time.
Hoare attempts an audacious effort from far out that the goalkeeper can only gather at the second attempt.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time.
HALF-TIME: SHAMROCK ROVERS 1-0 LUDOGORETS
Half-time and Rovers are well worth their lead on the night.
The Irish side have been dominant from the outset and their only regret going into the dressing room will be that they haven’t managed to score one or two more goals, such has been their superiority on the night.
The Bulgarians have sat back and only threatened occasionally. There have been signs of frustration from the visitors too, with Tekpetey in particular involved in a few incidents and is arguably lucky to still be on the pitch.
Having looked impossible in the build-up to this game, a Rovers comeback, while still unlikely, feels a bit more conceivable now, especially if they can get an early goal after the break.
The second half has begun.
Tempetey and Despodov have gone off for Ludogorets at half-time.
Rick and Delev are on.
That’s a clear sign the visitors were not at all happy with how the opening 45 panned out.
Red card for Show!
The defensive midfielder gets a second booking for a late challenge.
That’s another big boost for Rovers.
Moments earlier, Santana was booked.
Ludogorets have shown a real lack of discipline this evening.
Burke is cynically fouled on the edge of the area and substitute Rick becomes the latest player to see yellow.
Ludogorets are looking increasingly nervous with Rovers very much on top.
Burke’s free kick is parried away before Lyons can’t keep the ball in play in the corner.
Rovers have still not had a single corner in this game.
Meanwhile, Ludogorets are doing their best to slow the game down and waste time as often as possible whenever there is a stoppage.
Rovers have been a tad wasteful in recent minutes.
They win their first corner of the game, but Burke hits it straight out of play.
Finn has just become the first Rovers player to be booked after being penalised for a late challenge.
Ludogorets have calmed the storm for now.
Towell is through on goal and goes down with Karnicnik in close proximity.
However, the referee does not award the penalty and judging by replays, it certainly would have been soft to give it, as the midfielder was looking for it and appeared to go down easily.
Rovers make a triple change.
Burke, O’Neill and Finn are off.
Gaffney, Farrugia and Watts come on.
Ludogorets break, after Grace loses possession cheaply.
It eventually falls to Santana on the edge of the area, but Mannus gets down well to make a save.
The game is becoming very open now.
Ludogorets players are going down injured with increasing regularity, much to the frustration of Rovers players and fans.
It’s all part of the gamesmanship that is common at this level.
The hosts are in desperate need of inspiration, as their opponents look like seeing this tie out.
Another change for Rovers as they go all-out attack.
Emakhu has replaced Towell.
As I type, Rick received the ball on the edge of the area but shoots well over the bar.
Given that they’re putting more men forward, the risk of the Hoops being hit on the counter will inevitably intensify.
A final change for Rovers.
Ferizaj replaces McCann.
Rovers have struggled to accrue any real momentum in recent minutes with so many stoppages.
The Irish side look short of ideas and look like they’ll have to settle for a Europa League spot.
SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-0 LUDOGORETS (EMAKHU 88)
Greeene lets Ferizaj’s pass run through to Emakhu, who fires into the roof of the net.
We’re all set now for a grandstand finish!
SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-1 LUDOGORETS (SOUZA 90)
Souza blasts the ball home after a one-two on the edge of the area to end the tie as a contest in the dying seconds.
It’s greeted with angry scenes as a supporter comes onto the pitch and an object is thrown onto it as well.
The Hoops may now be fined as a result of their supporters’ behaviour.
Aaron Greene, who has worked tirelessly up front, has been named man of the match.
We’re now coming towards the end of five minutes of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: SHAMROCK ROVERS 2-1 LUDOGORETS (LUDOGORETS WIN 4-2 ON AGGREGATE)
So that’s that.
A gallant effort from Rovers, but they fell just short in the end.
They were the superior team on the night and could easily have produced an incredible comeback.
Ultimately though, a combination of the lapses in the first leg and some astute and at times cynical play from Ludogorets to see the game out proved pivotal.
Stephen Bradley’s men can take plenty of heart from the display, but it’s another year where they are left to reflect on another agonising near miss in Europe.
It’s been confirmed that Rovers will face North Macedonian outfit Shkupi, who were beaten 1-0 by Dinamo Zagreb tonight, in the third round of Europa League qualifying.
It’s another huge game, as the winners of that tie will be guaranteed a place in the Europa Conference League group stages at a minimum.
Stillian Petrov and Robbie Keane were among those in attendance at Tallaght tonight.
Enjoying the game, Stan? 😄
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) July 26, 2022
The best of Ireland and Bulgaria watching on in Tallaght 🇮🇪🇧🇬
🟢 1-0 🟣 (agg. 1-3)
⏱️ 60'#LOI | #LOITV | #UCL pic.twitter.com/mSNVptYYl4
Right, that’s all from me for now.
We’ll have plenty more reaction on the site shortly.
Thanks for reading and commenting on what was a highly entertaining game.
