Larne FC Vs Shamrock Rovers Tactical Preview: All-Ireland Showdown

A fixture that highlights the beauty of the UEFA Conference League. 

Two sides from two of the lowest coefficient-ranked UEFA nations are facing each other in European competition. 

On Thursday in Belfast, Northern Irish back-to-back champions Larne will face the Republic of Ireland’s four-in-a-row title winners Shamrock Rovers. 

For both sides to play in European competition is remarkable. 

This is just Shamrock Rovers third time qualifying for the group/league phase of a European competition since the turn of the century.

For Larne, this isn’t only their first venture into Europe; it’s also the first time a side from Northern Ireland has qualified for the League/Group phase of any European competition. 

Both sides come into this fixture with domestic distractions. 

Shamrock Rovers have made a miraculous recovery in the league.

With only two fixtures remaining, they are just two points off the summit of the League of Ireland.

Larne FC has an action-packed schedule, having had several games postponed due to their European commitments. 

Despite having four games in hand in the league, their form has been poor, and they’ll want to continue to gain ground on title rivals Linfield. 

Shamrock Rovers will be the overwhelming favourites, but Larne will believe this is an excellent opportunity for them to prove they belong amongst the European elite. 

Shamrock Rovers Tactical Analysis

Shamrock Rovers Line Up: 

Stephen Bradley’s tactics set up in a reserved 3-5-1-1 against APOEL. 

This helped them earn just their third point in their past three European campaigns. 

However, Rovers will surely revert back to their usual 3-4-2-1 against Larne. 

In front of German keeper Pöhls, a back three of captain Robert Lopes, Cleary and Grace will be present. 

The creative Dylan Watts and Joshua Honohan will fill the wing-back roles. 

Central midfield will be filled with combative midfielder Darragh Nugent and summer signing Danny Mândroiu. 

The two attacking midfield roles will likely be filled by a combination of Burns and Farrugia.

Up front, Celtic loanee John Kenny will lead the line.  

Shamrock Rovers Attacking Analysis:

To start our Shamrock Rovers tactical analysis, when building up play under Stephen Bradleys style of play, the Tallaght side tends typically to play in a controlled manner in terms of their tactics and setup. 

Their shape gives them an incredible advantage when trying to build up through the middle of midfield. 

Having a back three often allows teams to have a man advantage against a team that plays with one or two forwards. 

Then, they have four players in midfield, creating a box midfield.

This is incredibly effective when looking to play through the thirds. 

Statistically, Rovers can be clearly seen to be efficient when building up play.

They have the highest PPDA against them in the League of Ireland, which shows how difficult it is to press them. 

They also have made the most progressive passes in the league this season.

In this example, we see clearly how Rovers have filled the midfield during their sides build-up play.

Goalkeeper Pohls is able to find midfielder Nugent, who is one of four options centrally. 

The Hoops have a couple of ways that they can break sides down.