UEFA have fined Dundalk €50,000 ahead of their penultimate group stage game against Molde on Thursday. The Lilywhites’ struggle during the Europa League campaign is signified by their position in the group. Currently sitting bottom of the pile with zero points in the lead up to the Molde clash.

And things have gone from bad to worse this week for the Irish side after UEFA issued a fine for “shadow coaching”. Head coach Filippo Giovanogli is prohibited from managing his side from the sideline as he does not have the required coaching qualifications. Despite this rule, Giovanogli’s presence on the touchline has been evident and last week UEFA acted upon the ruling by sending the Italian to the stands for the game against Rapid Vienna.

Dundalk’s opposition analyst, Shane Keegan, will continue to fill in as manager for the remaining European fixtures.

Molde vs Dundalk

Dundalk travel to Norway to take on Molde on Thursday evening. The Norwegian side sit in second place behind Arsenal, with six points. Hopes of qualification to the knockout stages are all but gone for Giovanogli’s men. Although mathematically there is still a possibility for progression, Dundalk’s goal difference leaves them with a mountain to climb. Arsenal, with four wins from four, travel to the Aviva Stadium in the final group game next week.

You can watch Molde vs Dundalk on Virgin Media Sport on Thursday, with coverage starting from 7.30pm.

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Dundalk hosted Austrian side Rapid Wien tonight at the unfamiliar venue of the Aviva Stadium as they attempted to keep their Europa League hopes alive. Unfortunately, though, they suffered a 3-1 defeat meaning they won’t compete in the knockout stages.

Despite their disappointing group stage form, Dundalk can be proud of how they performed throughout the entirety of the campaign. The Louth side were never fancied, even in the qualifying rounds.

Their season leading up to qualification was nothing short of abysmal – by their standards. A culmination of poor domestic form and elimination from Champions League qualifying led to the sacking of Vinny Perth. Filippo Giovagnoli was chosen as his successor. Giovagnoli’s appointment raised plenty of eyebrows, mainly owing to his lack of appropriate experience.

So far, though, he has proved many of his doubters wrong. Under his guidance, the club qualified for the Europa League group stage for the first time since 2016. They also finished 3^rd in the league and have progressed to the FAI Cup semi-finals.

Giovagnoli accomplished all this despite not holding a UEFA Pro License. His lack of qualifications meant he was forced to watch from the stands tonight. UEFA forbade the manager from entering the technical area, despite having done so in previous games. Instead, coach Shane Keegan took charge. The former Wexford Youths and Galway United manager is the only member of the Dundalk backroom staff with the necessary qualifications.

FIRST HALF

The match started at a high pace with both teams getting forward at will. It was Rapid Wien who took the lead in the 10^th minute though after a misplaced pass from Seán Hoare. Christoph Knasmüllner intercepted the ball before unleashing a long-range drive into the top corner. A brilliant goal from the Austrian midfielder.

Dundalk very nearly caused further problems for themselves just minutes later with another misplaced pass. This time it was Chris Shields’ careless back-pass which was intercepted by Taxiarchis Fuentas. He then tested Gary Rogers in the Dundalk goal but the Meath native produced a good save this time around. Fuentas was causing problems in the early stages having missed the previous meeting between the two sides due to injury.

Dundalk’s first shot on goal came shortly after. Michael Duffy got a shot off from outside the box after good, progressive play from Dundalk. His shot was right under the throat of the keeper, however, and easily saved.

Rogers was called into action again in the 28^th minute after a deflected free kick from Ercan Kara was heading into the net. Rogers got a good hand to the ball, though, which deflected out for a corner.

Rapid Wien scored their second of the night in the 36^th minute after another brilliant goal. This time it was a brilliant team move as they easily retained possession before Ercan Kara latched onto a cross and finished with his head.

Stefan Čolović had the chance to reduce the deficit minutes after following a period of sustained pressure. Seán Hoare produced a cross which met the Serbian but he glanced his header wide.

Dundalk controlled much of the half thereafter, but couldn’t turn their dominant into any meaningful chances. Rapid Wien deservedly led 2-0 at the break.

HT: Dundalk 0-2 Rapid Wien.

We have a mountain to climb in the second-half.#CmonTheTown #UEL pic.twitter.com/9jq58RL1IF

— DundalkFC (@DundalkFC) NOVEMBER 26, 2020

SECOND HALF

The Dundalk manager, clearly not happy with his side’s first half performance, brought on 3 subs after the interval. Nathan Oduwa, Patrick McEleney and Daniel Kelly all came on in an attempt to rescue the game.

It didn’t take long for the substitutes to make an impact as Daniel Kelly won a penalty after some good work in the 48^th minute. Nathan Oduwa stepped up to take the penalty but he shot wide after a casual run up. The Tottenham academy graduate won’t want to see any replays of the attempt.

Rapid Wien got their third of the night in the 57^th minute. It was Ercan Kana with another spectacular goal. The striker made space for himself at the edge of the box before placing an accurate shot into the top corner.

Daniel Kelly had a chance to score himself at the edge of the box moments after. He was set up by Greg Slogett, his resulting shot went over the bar, however.

Nathan Oduwa made amends for his poor penalty as he was fouled inside the Rapid Wien box in the 61^st minute. Chris Shields took the resulting penalty and made no mistake as he placed his shot into the left corner.

Rapid Wien had a handful of chances within the Dundalk box in the 76^th minute but failed to convert. Sean Gannon blocked the first shot before Gary Rogers got a good hand on the rebound to keep the score at 3-1.

Nathan Oduwa had a fantastic chance in injury time to get one back for Dundalk. Michael Duffy went on a great run before crossing low into the feet of Oduwa but he then blasted over the bar.

The score finished 3-1 to Rapid Wien with Dundalk eliminated from the knockout stages. Dundalk travel to Norway next week as they take on Molde in their penultimate Europa League fixture.

FT: Dundalk 1-3 Rapid Wien.⁣
⁣
Our search for UEFA Europa League Group B points goes on to MD5 after another night of frustration against the Austrians.⁣
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| @sportsfile⁣
⁣#CmonTheTown #UEL⁣ pic.twitter.com/My9DlXhxXU

— DundalkFC (@DundalkFC) NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Dundalk starting XI: Gary Rogers, Seán Hoare (Daniel Kelly 45′), Andy Boyle, Daniel Cleary, Sean Gannon, Chris Shields, Greg Sloggett (Sean Murray 71′), Cameron Dummigan (Darragh Leahy 80′), Stefan Čolović (Patrick McEleney 45′), David McMillan (Nathan Oduwa 45′), Michael Duffy.

Rapid Wien starting XI: Paul Gartler, Filip Stojković, Maximilian Hofmann, Mateo Barać, Maximilian Ullmann, Christoph Knasmüllner (Yusuf Demir 80′), Srđan Grahovac, Thorsten Schick, Taxiarchis Fountas (Lion Schuster 66′), Melih Ibrahimoglu (Kelvin Arase 54′), Ercan Kara (Koya Kitagawa 66′).

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Arsenal head into Thursday night’s Europa League tie against Dundalk without defender David Luiz. The Brazilian will miss the match through injury leaving Mikel Arteta with only two senior centre-backs available for selection. One of those is Shkodran Mustafi who has recently returned from a spell on the sidelines. Young winger Reiss Nelson may also potentially start as Arteta stated that he “will get the opportunities” after the club backtracked on sending him out on loan. The Gunners travel to Old Trafford on Sunday, therefore the starting eleven will likely feature some fringe players.

It is not anticipated that Dundalk manager Filippo Giovagnoli will drift too far away from the starting line-up he picked for the Molde defeat. Veteran goalkeeper Gary Rodgers is set to return after being rested during Sunday’s defeat to Waterford. Like their opponents, Dundalk also have a decisive game on the horizon. They currently sit in third place, just one point ahead of Waterford. Their next league game is against St. Patrick’s Athletic on Sunday as the season draws to a close.

Mikel Arteta on Dundalk and Filippo Giovagnoli

In his pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Arteta highlighted Dundalk’s strengths: “They’re really well organised, they make it really hard and they will be coming here with incredible passion”. Whilst acknowledging the difference in quality between both sides, Arteta vowed that his team won’t take the game for granted.

Dundalk manager Filippo Giovagnoli’s story has also triggered a degree of fascination from the Arsenal boss. He admitted to watching a long interview with Giovagnoli, because he wanted to learn more about the Italian and his methods. Both managers will soon go head to head, but unfortunately not on the Emirates Stadium touchline. Giovagnoli is yet to attain his UEFA Pro Licence and as a result will have to coach his side from the stands.

Dundalk will want to prove a point on Thursday evening. There is more to their play than ‘passion’. They’re not arriving in London to marvel at Arsenal’s current crop of Premier League players. They need points on the board. As young Dundalk fan Sophie Neary simply put it, “If Jamie Vardy can score against Arsenal then why can’t Pat Hoban score against Arsenal?”. 

Arsenal vs Dundalk kicks off at 8pm this evening and will be available to watch on Virgin Media Two.

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