The New Saints begin their Europa League qualifying campaign on Thursday evening as they welcome Slovakian side MŠK Žilina to Park Hall.
Having enjoyed an eight-year Cymru Premier title streak, the dominance of the Saints was abruptly brought to an end last season, demoting them to the second tier of European football.
Scott Ruscoe’s men now enter the first round of Europa League Qualifying for the first time in nine years, and have been drawn to face Slovakian opposition for the second time.
A home tie could prove pivotal in a one-legged clash, but the Park Hall will face tough adversaries in Žilina. Let us guide you through the relevant information surrounding the Slovakian giants.
Key information
Founded in 1908, Žilina are one of the most historic and long-standing clubs in their country. They have been at the forefront of Slovakian football for almost a century, winning their maiden Slovak honour in 1928 and more recently their seventh Super Liga title three years ago.
Having been placed into liquidation in March, Žilina managed to overcome their off-field problems and secure a second-placed finish, behind only Slovan Bratislava.
With colours of yellow and green, the vast majority of Žilina’s squad are of Slovakian descent, bar a number of additional Eastern European players and a talented youngster – Benson Anang – emerging from Ghana.
Similar to Barry Town United last week, the Saints face a side whose domestic season has already commenced. Žilina currently sit fourth in the Slovak Super Liga, with two victories and two defeats to their name.
Performances in Europe
Žilina have previously tasted some success on the European stage, having reached the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners’ Cup almost 60 years ago, and they qualified for the group stages of the Champions League in the 2010-11 season.
They faced English Premier League giants Chelsea in the midst of an impressive campaign, and actually led at Stamford Bridge before their dreams were scuppered by two second-half strikes.
The Yellow-Greens have since come agonisingly close to appearing in the Europa League group stages on two occasions, and usually embark on a deep run in qualifying when they have the opportunity.
The manager
Pavol Stano was appointed manager of Žilina earlier this year after a successful period as assistant coach of the club’s reserve team.
Stano, 42, is inexperienced as a first-team coach, having only assisted at both Termalica Nieciecza and Žilina B before taking up his current role.
During his playing days as a defender, Stano reached the Champions League Group Stages with FC Petrzalka – where they defeated FC Porto and drew with Rangers on two occasions.
Players to watch
19-year-old attacking midfielder Jan Bernat currently represents Slovakia at Under-21 level, and was Žilina’s top scorer in all competitions last season with a respectable 10 goals.
Usually, Žilina’s goals come from all areas of the pitch, but another youngster in David Duris also shone last season, netting on six occasions.
Despite not always appearing in the starting line-up, Armenian Vahan Bichakhchyan could prove a threat going forward, having struck the back of the net four times already this season.
(Featured image: Mikaco/Wikimedia Commons)
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