By Rob Carbon
The New Saints have been warned to expect a very different task when they bid to hold onto a two-goal Europa Conference League advantage in the Czech Republic tonight.
FC Viktoria Plzeň manager Michal Bilek has told opposite number Anthony Limbrick he will face something far tougher than was served up by the Czechs when they came to Wales.
Limbrick’s team moved into a 4-0 lead at Cardiff City Stadium last week before conceding two late goals.
That threw a lifeline to the five-time Czech champions as the two teams do battle for a play in the play-off round ahead of the main draw in the new competition.
Plzeň warmed-up for the return leg with a 2-0 home win last weekend to stay neck and neck with Sporting Prague at the top of the Czech First Division, with three wins from three matches.
Only three of the starting line-up were in the side in Cardiff last Thursday, but more of their top line players are expected to play in the return fixture.
Frenchmen Jean-David Beauguel scored one of their two goals last week and was on target again last weekend. He will need special attention tonight.
“Last week they were dangerous from every situation and at 4-0 it looked a bit scary. Thank heavens we scored those two goals at the end because they kept alive out chances of advancing,” said Bilek.
“Things are more optimistic at 4-2 rather than losing by four goals. We are a better team than that, although we will really have to improve in the next match and avoid making mistakes in defence.”
The New Saints held their four goal advantage until the 89th minute and hopefully won’t rue conceding two goals at the death.
The former JD Cymru Premier champions – who finished runners-up to Connah’s Quy Nomads last season – have thrown down the gauntlet to their hosts, who have a £50m turnover and a handful of Czech internationals.
If TNS can protect their lead this evening then they can win their way through to a fourth stage in the competition.
Welcome to Plzeñ… Welcome to Doosan Arena… pic.twitter.com/i8BlhYoQV7
— The New Saints FC (@tnsfc) August 11, 2021
Already, their success has earned them close to 1m Euros and the run has also pushed Welsh claims for four places in future European competitions.
It has been a winning formula for both the club and the JD Cymru Premier League.
TNS’ current European form is the best in the club’s history, with four wins and one draw from five games. In the process they have scored 17 goals and conceded four only.
New signing Declan McManus is the leading goalscorer in the competition to date with six, including a hat-trick in the first leg, while Leo Smith has scored four.
If they can add to their tally at the Doosan Arena it is going to make life very difficult for the Czechs to bounce back.