Derry City v Bruno’s Magpies: Match Preview

 

Derry City v Bruno’s Magpies: Match Preview

 

Derry City FC v. FC Bruno’s Magpies, UEFA Conference League, First Round Second Leg, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 18^th July 2024, kick-off 7.45pm

In a result that some have called the ‘worst in League of Ireland European history’, Derry City fell to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of FC Bruno’s Magpies in Gibraltar. The Candystripes were outdone by two headers from set-pieces in the second half as they struggled to put their opponents to the sword in 30C+ heat. City now need to win by a margin of at least three goals on Thursday to progress to a Second Round glamour tie against FC Copenhagen.

 

Last time out – Bruno’s Magpies 2-0 Derry City:

In a hot Europa Point Stadium, Derry City failed to make their mark as they faced opposition from Gibraltar for the first time. Bruno’s Magpies, who have never progressed passed the First Round of European qualifying, netted from two set pieces in the second half as Derry’s recent defensive frailties were once again brought to the fore.

The game didn’t start too badly. Adam O’Reilly had struck the crossbar within the first ten minutes, whilst a Dan Kelly effort which went under goalkeeper Dayle Coleing was cleared off the line. As the half wore on, the away side seemed to struggle in the sun and the home side grew into the game. 

Just four minutes after the restart, the deadlock was broken. After a poor pass across the backline by Paul McMullan, Javier Forjan picked the ball up before forcing Brian Maher into a finger-tip save to deny the Spanish striker. The resulting corner was met by Welsh defender Ash Taylor who rose above Shane McEleney at the back-post to nod past Maher, bagging himself a debut goal and putting his side into the lead. Less than ten minutes later, English forward Jack Storer took it past both Derry centre-halves in the box before firing over from 12 yards – that really should have doubled Magpies’ advantage. That eventually did happen on the 82^nd minute. Another floating ball in from a free kick was met by Francisco Zuñiga who put the game to bed. An awful result for the Candystripes, especially considering the efforts made by the 250 travelling supporters who made their way to the Europa Point Stadium, and the dozens more who travelled to Gibraltar. Next week needs to be much better if Derry City are to progress.

 

Derry City:

Derry City’s lack of clinical edge cost them last week. Dan Kelly found joy running in behind the Magpies left back and could have had two for himself with a bit more accuracy in his finishing. In saying that, Pat Hoban was well marshalled by Taylor and Zuñiga in the Magpies backline and had no clear cut opportunities. Will Patching was unlucky that his neat footwork didn’t result in an assist throughout the match as well.

As was our downfall against Sligo Rovers two weeks ago, the lapses in concentration from Derry’s defenders cost two goals in Gibraltar. To concede two from set pieces with two centre halves as usually aerially dominant as Mark Connolly and Shane McEleney will have been extremely disappointing for Ruaidhrí Higgins. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sam Todd or Ciarán Coll start on Thursday in order to have a left-footed centre back in the starting eleven to fill the gap left by the departure of Cameron McJannet earlier in the summer. The sooner we replace the English defender the better, as a solid defence will be key between now and the end of the season.

We really have nothing to lose on Thursday. We’ve already received stick from all quarters of Irish football after the loss last week, so playing cautious and failing to go all-out-attack in the Brandywell won’t do us any favours. If I was Ruaidhrí Higgins I’d go for a good old-fashioned 4-4-2, with Danny Mullen partnering Pat Hoban up top, before introducing Colm Whelan from the bench. Starting that way would mean sacrificing a centre midfielder, but if we were to go 2-0 up relatively early on, the introduction of Sadou Diallo or Jacob Davenport from the bench would sure up the midfield. Michael Duffy, if he’s fit, would likely start, whilst Daniel Kelly may be preferred to Paul McMullan on the right flank after the Dubliner found himself in good positions last week. The big Brandywell pitch, and lack of sun, will favour Derry, but Magpies will likely put everyone behind the ball and make it extremely difficult for City to break them down. It’ll be a nervy watch, but a rocking Brandywell could get us over the line, as it did with KuPS and HB Tórshavn last year.

 

Bruno’s Magpies:

It seemed like Bruno’s Magpies had a gameplan against City last week, and it worked. Solid at the back and a threat from set pieces. Their physicality in the defence kept Pat Hoban quiet whilst they were dangerous playing in from the wings. Jack Storer really should’ve scored, whilst Javier Forjan and Carlos Garcia looked impressive pulling the strings. The team from Gibraltar will likely have the same approach next week, setting up a strong, physical back-line and holding on to their two goal lead. They know that just one goal in the Brandywell will probably send them through, as City would then need four to progress.

Despite being part-time, Magpies have players who came through the ranks at well respected LaLiga sides, and players with experience in England and Scotland. Lincoln Red Imps, Gibraltar’s most successful team with 27 league titles, beat Celtic in Champions League qualifiers in 2016-17. They also beat Riga in the Conference League play-offs in 2021-22 to progress the group stages. Derry City really *should* be getting past Magpies on paper, but this is a team with international players and a point to prove – a team who deserve to be respected, something Derry may not have fully done last Thursday.

Magpies made it difficult in their home legs against Crusaders and Dundalk in the past two years. They beat Crusaders and held Dundalk to a scoreless draw in Gibraltar, so they definitely knew that they could play their own game with the sun on their side. Magpies lost both of the return legs against Crusaders and Dundalk 3-1, showing that the sides from Ireland had more joy in their own stadiums. A 3-1 win for Derry would take the game to extra-time, something which would be nerve-wracking but could prove vital in clawing back the tie. Magpies are also in pre-season, so extra-time would likely the suit the Candystripes who, in theory, should be at their fittest stage of the campaign. It won’t be straight-forward at all next week but both teams will have sussed each other out a bit more and it may prove to be a more expansive match. The last time Derry City overturned a two goal deficit in Europe was 59 years ago, when they beat Lyn Oslo 5-1 in the Brandywell after losing the first leg 5-3. That win just happened to be City’s first in European competition.

Round-up:

Last Thursday’s result was very tough to take, there’s no doubt about it, but turning round a 2-0 goal deficit isn’t impossible. An early goal for City would open the tie up, whilst we can play with the Brandywell atmosphere on our side. That atmosphere after scoring against KuPS last season is the best I’ve seen here in years and could prove pivotal in getting a result. A trip to Copenhagen would be huge for both sides, and is surely an attractive prospect for the players. To throw in the towel and let Magpies have the win without putting up a fight would be a disaster, so we should at least set out fighting from the start. It’s St. Pat’s in the cup on Sunday after this, and we don’t want our European and Cup aspirations for the season going up in smoke in the space of four days like it did in 2023. A big win on Thursday could do wonders for our season, but it won’t come easy.

 

Pól O’Hare – 16^TH July 2024