On the fourth matchday of the UEFA Conference Series, SK Rapid will face Shamrock Rovers from Ireland. Rapid go into the game as favourites, but are cautioned against the Irish after their strong performances in the opening games.
After wins over Istanbul Basaksehir, Noah Yerevan and Petrocub, Rapid are in the upper regions of the Conference League table with the maximum number of points. Few doubted that the match against Shamrock Rovers would be a great one. The underdog from Dublin drew against APOEL Nicosia, Lorraine and New Saints won from the “island”. Before the upcoming matches against Rapid, Borac Banja Luka and Chelsea, the Rovers can already dream of participating in the playoffs.
Clear friendly wins against HJK Helsinki
It has already been discussed a few times that the Irish championship ended on 1 November. Since then, Rovers coach Stephen Bradley has built up tension. Last week they did this with two friendly matches against HJK Helsinki, the second of which they won 2-0. However, the win against the Finns, who were also testing for Europe, could have been even more impressive. The day before, they had also lost 4-0 against HJK Helsinki in a close game.
Nobody knows why Rovers didn’t win the championship…
However, Rapid are up against the best team in Ireland. Shamrock Rovers had to bow to their rivals from Shelbourne on the first weekend in November for the first time after four consecutive league titles. However, he probably still doesn’t know how the underdog became the champion of Ireland. Shamrock Rovers had a very dominant, dominant season, but performed below expectations, while Shelbourne performed well above expectations.
Shamrock Rovers finished the season in second place, two points behind Shelbourne and with 61 points in the final. At the end of the season, the xP value was 65.8, and the champions Shelbourne would only be fifth in the xP table with a value of 48.5. Furthermore, Shamrock Rovers managed just 50 goals with an xG value of 60.47. The fact that they missed out on the championship title was more like a series of unfavorable circumstances.
The best team in Ireland by every metric
But this also shows that Shamrock Rovers are a team whose basic structure is an attacking force. Like Rapid, the
Irish want to have the ball and let it roll around. On average, they had 61.7% ball possession in the last league season, which puts them clearly first in this ranking. Rovers were also clearly ahead in terms of PPDA value in the 2024 season with 7.46. No wonder then that they completed the most passes in the league with the highest success rate.
One of the reasons for this “unprecedented dominance” is that 40-year-old coach Bradley, who has been in office for more than eight years and won four championships with Rovers, relies on a three-man chain and plays staff regularly. in a 3-4 formation. By the way, that didn’t change in the European Cup either. So the team has the opportunity to rely on several anchors in the backcourt if they get stuck in the middle of the field or are unable to find solutions. In this situation, the team can rebuild the game relatively stress-free through the central defenders and they have at least three defensive stations.
Consolidation in the middle in front of an uncertain keeper
Against the ball, the three central defenders position themselves centrally and the full-backs close the wings, but they do so mostly passively and tend to “exploit” their opponents instead of actively attacking. The center also needs to be densified, especially since the birth of Lèon-Maurice, who was born in Hamburg Pöhls he has a very insecure goalkeeper with clear shortcomings, especially on the ball and in control of the penalty area.
Roberto usually captains the central defense BracketsAnd Cleary and Lee Grace done. Lopes is the tallest in this team with a height of 186cm, the other two are only 182cm each, which could be an important factor in standards and when covering balls, for example with Beljo. Cleary is also more of a right back by nature and slipped into central defense, but has performed well, especially in the last six months.
Asymmetry in wing-axis positions
In the wing-back positions, Bradley will likely rely on routine on the left side and Josh Sean MK Dons loan player Darragh, right For them who is about to play what is likely to be his last game for Shamrock Rovers. The latter clearly has his strengths in forward play and is considered a tough dribbler, while Honahan will focus primarily on closing the gap at the back and acting as a deep passing station on the wing. It is no coincidence that most attacks come with a final cross from the right. On the left you would have 18 year old Cory From Sullyabhan Exciting talent in the squad, but playing at Hütteldorf would probably be too much of a risk.
“Achter” Watts as a key player in the middle
Dylan is in the middle of the field Watts Key player for rovers. He is a regular figure eight and is very active between the penalty areas and is also the man for the interface passes. Markus, an Estonian born in England Boomson of Estonian goalkeeping legend Mart Poom, who plays the more defensive role and usually the experienced Aaron McEneff planned, but was injured in the last test against HJK. Other options for this position include Gary O Neill or Darragh Nugent – defensively oriented midfielders as well.
Changing to an experienced manufacturer may be too risky
With 28 year old Jack Byrnewho has already played four internationals for Ireland, you would have a regular in your ranks, but in the expected midfield constellation, his nomination in the center would probably be too risky. He could be imagined as a second striker or a free spirit in front of a three-man midfield. French-born Irishman Neil is more likely to be in the same line Farrugiawhich is a little more physical and also working back better.
Celtic foreign player target
Celtic loanee Johnny is clearly the target player Kenny will be. The 21-year-old Ireland Under-21 player scored 17 goals across all competitions in the 2024 season and is considered a strong attacker who looks to run duels with defenders and score goals often and quickly. He is definitely the most dangerous “Rover” in the game.
Clear advantages for Rapid for several reasons
However, this is a team that SK Rapid should have no problem with on a normal day. In the entire squad, only three outfield players are taller than 185cm, the tallest being Neil Farrugia with a height of 187cm. The physical component should clearly be on Rapid’s side, not only because of the size difference, but the Irish are also having a difficult time dealing with the increased pace of play and passing. So if Rapid let the ball run and, above all, play a tight running game without the ball, then sooner or later things will go too fast for Rovers.
“Acidic” after a tough summer despite a winning streak
The second-placed Irish face their toughest game since the Europa League final against PAOK Saloniki, which the Greeks won 4-0 at home and 2-0 away. Although Rovers have won each of their last six competitive games, it was also clear that the team was already a bit sharp after a long season and made far more individual and group tactical errors than for example, in the summer, when they were. were kicked out of the Champions League.
No big surprises were expected
Shamrock Rovers Rapid are not expected to be particularly capable of surprises. The basic order of 3-5-2 and exploitation of possession and proper ball circulation will be the cornerstone of the Irish game. The team will generally not be alone at the back, but will want to play from a defensively controlled position. And that should play into Rapid’s hands given their fluid approach in midfield. So we expect the Green-Whites of Vienna to do well on Thursday night.
What strategies can Rapid Vienna employ to exploit Shamrock Rovers’ defensive vulnerabilities?
T is often characterized by its inconsistency despite being statistically the best team in Ireland. Rapid Vienna will need to capitalize on this inconsistency and maintain their focus throughout the match.
The Tactical Battle Ahead
SK Rapid Vienna enters this encounter with a well-structured game plan, aiming to leverage their home advantage. They have been in excellent form, demonstrating clinical finishing and solid defensive organization in their previous European outings. Rapid’s ability to maintain possession and dictate the pace of the game will be crucial.
Shamrock Rovers, on the other hand, have shown resilience and tactical flexibility. Under the guidance of coach Stephen Bradley, they utilize a fluid 3-4-3 formation that allows for swift transitions between defense and attack. They have an attacking mindset, supported by their impressive ball possession statistics, which can challenge Rapid’s defensive solidity.
Focus on Key Players
For Rapid, players like their main striker and midfield generals will be pivotal in breaking down the Rovers’ defensive line. Meanwhile, Shamrock’s key players, notably Dylan Watts in midfield and the youthful threat posed by Kenny up front, will look to exploit any gaps left by Rapid’s defenders.
Potential Outcomes
Given Rapid’s greater European experience and higher competitive stakes, they are likely to start as favorites. However, if Shamrock can replicate their earlier strong performances and find a rhythm, they may very well challenge Rapid and potentially upset the odds.
Both teams have the potential to leave a significant mark in this tournament, and the match promises to be an exciting display of tactical football and player skill. As the fixture approaches, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see which team can effectively execute their game plan on the night. The atmospheric backdrop of the match will undoubtedly elevate the stakes, making it a must-watch event for supporters of both clubs.
