Following a goalless draw in Klagenfurt, Gzira United will be aiming for another positive result as they host Wolfsberger AC of Austria in the second leg of the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round at the Centenary Stadium on Tuesday, kick-off at 18:00.
The tie is wide open following the draw in the first leg and definitely, this will be no easy match for Darren Abdilla’s side. However the Maroons will be hoping for a repeat of their first leg performance in their bid to secure a historic play-off round spot where they would face the winner of the tie between Molde FK of Norway and Kisvarda FC of Hungary in the play-off round. Molde won the first leg at home 3-0.
Gzira are still unbeaten after five matches in their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign following a goalless draw against Atletic Escaldes at Ta’ Qali, a 1-0 win after extra-time in Andorra, a 2-2 draw with Radnicki at home, the 3-3 draw in Nis followed by a 3-1 win on penalties and the goalless draw against Wolfsberger at the Worthersee Stadion.
The domestic season in Austria kicked-off in mid-July with Wolfsberger defeating Regionalliga side Kuchl 4-1 in a match from the first round of the Austrian Cup but since then, they failed to impress. They were held in a 1-1 draw by Sturm Graz in the first match of the Bundesliga and following a 0-5 defeat to AC Milan in a high-profile friendly match, they only managed to earn a point in a 2-2 draw with Rheindorf Altach, suffering a heavy 1-5 defeat to LASK on Saturday.
Therefore, Wolfsberger, who participated twice in the group stages of the UEFA Europa League, will be all out to win at the Centenary Stadium in order to end this disappointing run.
Coach Darren Abdilla could be forced to make a change from the last outing as Maxuell Maia is recovering from an injury.
If the result is still draw at the end of the ninety minutes, extra-time shall be played and the penalty shoot-out would determine the winner, in case the result is still draw.
Story: Malta Football
