Shamrock Rovers facing challenging European draws have put the team in a tough position. If they manage to beat Sparta Prague in the Champions League second round, they will face either Steaua Bucharest or Maccabi Tel Aviv. This would be a significant achievement for Irish clubs in Europe. The Hoops have also been handed a tough Europa League draw if they move to that competition, adding to the pressure on the team.
The Champions Path in qualifying means that a loss in the Champions League will see Shamrock Rovers drop into the third round of the Europa League. The draw paired them with the loser of NK Celje or Slovan Bratislava, both of which have experience playing Irish sides in recent years. Slovan Bratislava, in particular, had a successful game against the Hoops in 2021, winning 3-2 on aggregate.
The winner of the Europa League tie will move to the play-off round of the competition, while also guaranteeing UEFA Conference League group phase football. On the other hand, the loser will drop down to the Conference League play-off round. This adds an extra layer of importance to the upcoming matches for Shamrock Rovers.
In addition to Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and St Patrick’s Athletic were also in the third round of the UEFA Conference League qualifying. The winner of the tie between FC Zurich and Shels will face either Vitória SC from Portugal or Floriana FC of Malta. Pat’s or FC Vaduz will face the side emerging from the Maccabi Haifa FC (Israel) v FC Sabah (Azerbaijan) tie.
The upcoming games in August 2024 will be crucial for Shamrock Rovers and the other Irish clubs involved. The pressure is on for them to perform well and advance in the European competitions. Fans will be eagerly watching to see how the teams fare against their tough opponents and whether they can make history with their performances.