Dundalk winger Michael Duffy feels that the Lilywhites are in a ‘great position’ heading into tonight’s third qualifying round second leg UEFA Europa Conference League clash with Vitesse Arnhem.
Duffy is looking forward to the clash and is intent on capitalising on the 2-2 draw they secured last week.
“It was tough to concede in the last few minutes and it’s going to be a tough one again this week. It was tough over there especially in the first half.
“We had to do a lot of defending and Alessio (Abibi) had to pull off a couple of good saves. It could be the same on the night here!
Michael Duffy in action against Vitesse. Photo by Rene Nijhuis/Sportsfile
“In the second half we played well and maybe our fitness just showed, they are in pre-season and that was a help but we have put ourselves in a great position.”
The Derry man, who returned to the starting XI after illness ruled him out of the Levadia Tallinn second qualifying round and put in a stellar display at the GelreDome.
He is looking forward to the clash and is pleased to be back in the team after suffering no ill effects.
“I am happy with my own performance. I missed the two legs of the last round and I felt that I was coming into the time that I missed.
“I was just delighted to be back in the team and I want to work back into that.I had a good week last week and played Sunday but I have been fine to come back in and I am looking forward to it.”
The winners of the tie at Tallaght Stadium will progress to the playoff round of the competition meaning that they would be just 180 minutes from qualifying for the group stages of the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League.
Duffy is excited by tonight’s clash Photo by Rene Nijhuis/Sportsfile
This is something that excites the 27 year-old and he is hoping that the Lilywhites can use their underdog status to secure a famous victory for the Lilywhites.
“It’d be massive to get through. We are underdogs. People aren’t expecting us to get through at all but we showed last week that we can put it up to them.
“We know we can go head to head with them. We know there will be a lot of defending needed, the defence was brilliant last week. We might only get one chance.
“We believe that we will get chances and hopefully we can take them.”
