How Santa Coloma are expected to start against Penybont and their ex-Real Madrid coach

Penybont grace the European stage on Thursday night when they host FC Santa Coloma at the Brewery Field.

Rhys Griffiths has achieved his goal of delivering Europa Conference League football to the town of Bridgend, after taking them over in the Welsh League back in 2016. The 43-year-old featured in numerous European campaigns as a player, and now the Cymru Premier legend gets to experience life as a manager on the continent. 

Penybont’s lack of European football made them unseeded in the draw, and in FC Santa Coloma they face a side who are no strangers to Europe. FC Santa Coloma have played in Europe for the last 16 seasons, and whilst they may have only progressed twice, they’ve got players who are full internationals. 

To help get more of an idea as to what to expect come Thursday, we spoke to Lenny, who runs Andorre Football, which covers Andorran domestic football, as well as the national team.

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What is the view of Welsh football, and Penybont?

Firstly, my view of Welsh football is quite similar to England. Wales’s game is very physical and fast, which can be compared to a lower English division. Penybont is obviously the favourite before this game, because FC Santa Coloma are lacking on the physical side, but technically they’re okay.

What transfer business have FC Santa Coloma done since the season finished? And do you think the squad is in a better or worst state?

So FCSC have recruited Garrido, San Nicolás, and Jiménez, but also Marc Nierga (a centre-forward who can get into the game). The team has the same level as before transfer market. The club’s transfer market has been very intelligent and meticulous, in order to rebalance the team after the departures of Grant and Volodko.

What kind of team are FC Santa Coloma?

FCSC is the most illustrious club in Andorra. They are the most successful in the championship, cup, and super cup. But since 2018, he has had a rough period and has remained in the middle of the championship. With the arrival of the American group Gold Star (hence the black/gold away jersey), the club changed its logo, and with that their ambitions changed. This season was the first with Gold Star, and this will bring good things for the future.

What players should Penybont watch out for?

Virgili, Gila and San Nicolás. He plays for the national team, so I often see him play. He was captain in many matches, including against Israel a few weeks ago). 

The best player for me is Rebés, He has played almost every league and cup game this season, and is a very good attacking midfielder. 

He makes good defensive returns, he is for me the center piece of Cheryshev’s game system.

How do you expect FC Santa Coloma to line up?

A 4-3-3 with 3 new players: Garrido, San Nicolás (player in our national team), and Jiménez. This line-up is Dmitri Cheryshev’s favourite formation. Virgili’s got a powerful shot on him, but FCSC have lost two great players : Grant and Volodko.

The departures of the team, make the full-backs very unbalanced. Personally, I think that Markovych will have a lot of difficulties, but I don’t know if Jimenez will have any too. In midfield, it’s solid. Toribio is a good player, and Angel and Rebés are pretty good against big teams in Primera Divisió.

FC Santa Coloma (4-3-3): Gomes, Jimenez, San Nicolas, Gomez, Markovych; Angel, Toribio, Rebes; Garrido, Gila, Virgili.

And how do you expect the game to pan out?

I don’t think FCSC will score, they will surely lose by two goals apart. Maybe 2-0 or 3-1 for Penybont. But perhaps the new players can change the result.

(Featured Image: Botend)