Ron Jans is confident that FC Utrecht will reach the third qualifying round of the Europa League. The coach expects his team not to lose the lead against Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday at De Galgenwaard.
FC Utrecht won the first leg in Moldova last week with 1-3, giving the Domstedelingen a good starting position in the return. Jans thinks his team is practically certain of a place in the next qualifying round.
“We won’t give this away anymore,” Jans said on Wednesday at a press conference against, among others, ESPN. “But then you are still in a preliminary round. It is not finished yet. You never know, but we may well radiate a bit of self-assurance and confidence.”
Jans notices that the European adventure lives with FC Utrecht’s supporters. The coach was previously active in Europe with FC Groningen and FC Twente. “I love to be a part of it. It really lives. It’s really enjoyable. I think it’s so beautiful.”
Midfielder Victor Jensen is also confident of a good outcome, but emphasizes the strength of Sheriff Tiraspol. “It is certainly not finished yet. We still have to play ninety minutes. I think we are better and we have to show that from the first minute.”
The return between FC Utrecht and Sheriff Tiraspol starts on Thursday at 8:00 PM. The winner of the two-legged match will play in the third qualifying round against the Czech Viktoria Plzen or the Swiss Servette FC. The loser will face Anderlecht or the Swedish BK Häcken in the third qualifying round of the Conference League.