CON - Football - Europe - UEFA - UEFA Europa Conference League

Struga started the European campaign against Zalgiris in the Champions League. After the elimination they continued in the Conference League where progressed against Buducnost from Montenegro. But I think that's the maximum for inexperienced side like Struga. There are two reasons for my pick. The first is connect with the home advantage. This match will be played in Skopje (200 km from Struga) at FFM training center. There will be some 100-200 home fans, but it is clear the players will have no big support.

However, the second reason is more important. Luxembourg league is probably between the weakest in Europe, but Macedonian First Division is even worse. According to me, the quality is on guests' side. Much of Hesperange players are internationals. Goalkeeper Dupire is Frenchmen, while three of the four defenders are also foreigners: Ekofo (DR Congo), Jaime (Portugal) and Martins (Portugal). It is quite similar in the midfield, with Stolz (Germany), Morren (Belgium) and Couturier (France) coming all around Europe. About the attack, Alioui has french passport. That means only three from the eleven players that started against TNS were domestic - Skenderovic, Sacras and Sinani (it is clear two of them have Balkan origins).

Struga are "young" club, they were established in 2015. This fact should not be underestimated. Due to the poor quality of Macedonian football, they’ve managed to become champions last year. Regarding Europe, I think they reached their maximum. Hesperange are favorites here.

09/08/2023 18:06, read 412 times