By:
Graeme Hanna
Zalgiris of Lithuania will be Linfield’s next opponent in European action, as the Blues drop out of the Champions League and into the Europa Conference League.
Following Wednesday evening’s 1-1 draw with Shelbourne, to lose the tie 2-1 on aggregate, Linfield now have a quick turnaround to prepare for their next taste of competitive action.
Next Thursday, the reigning NIFL Premiership champions will take on Zalgiris in the Baltic state of Lithuania, in the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
The trip, the environment, and the opponent will not be new to David Healy and Linfield, as the sides were paired together four years ago in the Champions League qualifiers. Back at the start of the 2021/22 season, the Lithuanians secured a 3-1 victory at home, before sealing a 5-2 aggregate victory at Windsor Park.
Who are Zalgiris?
Known as Zalgiris, FK Zalgiris, and even Zalgiris Vilnius, the club is based in the capital of Lithuania, at the 5067-capacity Zalgiris Stadium.
The Green-Whites, 10-time champions of the A-Lyga, are currently managed by Vladimir Cheburin, with his side struggling to recapture the form of last season that took them to the title.
With 19 games played in the league, Zalgiris are in sixth position in the 10-team division, trailing leaders Kauno Zalgiris by a massive 18 points.
Next week could be a good time for Linfield to arrive in Vilnius, given the Champions League disappointment that their hosts suffered this week.
In the first round, first leg against Hamrun Spartans of Malta, Zalgiris secured a 2-0 lead at home, to take into the return leg. The odds were stacked in their favour to get the job done, but instead, the wheels came off.
On Tuesday, Hamrun went into half-time with parity restored. No further goals materialised before the decider went all the way to extra time and then penalties. All the penalties!
It took 28 spot kicks for a winner to be confirmed, with the hosts winning 11-10 on penalties, securing the coveted Champions League possession, where they will face Dynamo Kyiv.
Conversely, Zalgiris will host Linfield in the Conference League on July 24, ahead of the return leg in Belfast on July 31.
As stated above, the teams met back in 2021 in Champions League qualification so this will not be a step into the unknown for the Blues. With that disappointing 5-2 scoreline in the memory, they wll be aiming for a more positive outcome this time to keep the European dream alive.
Image credit: @BasileBrigandet/X
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