Aleksandar Vukovic, manager of Legia Warsaw, has previewed Thursday evening’s clash with Rangers, as quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times.
The ex-Partizan and Legia midfielder is looking forward to a big test of his side’s credentials in the Europa League playoff round.
Remarkably, Legia are yet to concede a goal in qualifying this season. While not scoring many at the other end, they’ve been extremely solid at the back, securing clean sheets across two legs against each of College Europa, KuPS and Atromitos Athens.
Those results have brought them to the brink of the group stages for which qualification would be regarded as a major success. Yet, they haven’t faced a side anywhere near as accomplished as Rangers on the journey to the playoffs, and the manager knows his team will need a big atmosphere to draw upon during the game.
Legia boss says Rangers offer tough test
“It’s our goal and our dream [to qualify] so I can’t say we have nothing to lose,” said Vukovic, as quoted by the Glasgow Evening Times. “We will be playing against a very strong team, a legendary club.”
“It will be an emotional game so I think it’s a good opportunity to test ourselves against such a great team. I hope we and the crowd will do our best and play our best. I’m sure the whole crowd and stadium will be with us.
“I know this club and our supporters are looking forward to this game. There has been some criticism at the beginning of season but now there will be less. It will be past. This game will not be an opportunity for criticism.”
Verdict
Vukovic is clearly aware that heading into this tie, the usually raucous atmosphere created by the Legia fans is one of his most valuable weapons.
As told by Tom Hateley earlier in the week [Glasgow Evening Times], these Polish giants don’t have the same calibre of player they did two or three years ago. On paper, the Gers look big favourites.
Home advantage is a huge factor in Europe though, and Legia know they have to make maximun use of it to go through.
The Gers are undefeated on the road so far in qualifying but are yet to be tested in a cauldron of a stadium. Let’s hope that when it comes to it, they can silence their hosts and take a lead back to Ibrox.
