Making history in European competition is a big goal for many clubs around the continent, mainly because it’s one of the most prestigious forms of football in the world. The UEFA Champions League, in particular, is held in high regard by many, with countries from around Europe being given the chance on a yearly basis to try and make a name for themselves. While the elite always seem to rise to the top, the qualifying rounds often open the door for a few surprises – and Cork City Football Club are hoping to pull off their own minor miracle when they take on Legia Warsaw next week.

Cork, who have only lost once in their last eleven games, find themselves locked in a title challenge to go alongside their European aspirations. They’ve only won two of their eight encounters in Europe’s biggest club competition, but as we know, Irish sides tend to thrive more so at home courtesy of their overwhelming support.

Legia Warsaw are no strangers to playing teams from Ireland with this being their third game against an Irish side in the last five years, and while that’ll likely play to their advantage, they won’t want to be too ‘gungho’. They’ll approach this game in a calm manner, and that could open the door for Cork to do the same and grind out a 0-0 draw which – all things considered – would probably be a result that they’d take heading into the away leg in Poland.

They’ve defeated Dundalk and St Pat’s, but in both instances, they drew one of the two legs. While Cork will view this as a ‘nothing to lose’ kind of game given that they’ll drop straight into the Europa League for another chance at glory, the pressure is well and truly on for the Poles. They’re the overwhelming favourites for a reason and the longer you go in a big game like this away from home without scoring, the more it plays on your mind.

Spartak Trnava of Slovakia or Bosnian side Zrinjsk awaits in the next round, which should serve as extra motivation for Cork. Legia would likely be the favourites in that tie too, and having to battle through against these teams that they’re expected to destroy can be an arduous process. Cork, on the other hand, will be treating every single game like a cup final and while that probably won’t be enough for them to pick up a victory, it should be more than enough for them to squeak by with a draw.

Betting Prediction

Cork are a defensive force to be reckoned with in Ireland and domestic success can often translate to positive outcomes in Europe, which is what we’re expecting from this game. Even if they do decide to lump 11 men behind the ball it shouldn’t matter, because we’ve seen that tactic pay off in the past – and Cork are starting to build up some experience at this level which will be key for them moving forward.

It’ll be close, but we believe Cork can take a 0-0 draw into the second leg.

Cork City & Legia Warsaw To Draw At 3.65

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