ANORTHOSIS are in charge of their Europa League third qualifying round tie against Dila Gori of Georgia, while APOEL and Omonia have nervy second legs in store for them on Wednesday night against Aalesunds and Red Star Belgrade respectively.

“We had a tough game in Georgia and now we must focus on finishing the job on the pitch,” said Anorthosis manager Ronny Levy.

“I was satisfied with the way we played in the first leg but I’m sure there is room for improvement,” added the Israeli, whose team hold a 1-0 first leg advantage ahead of the match at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca at 8pm.

APOEL’s game against Aalesunds will kick off in the Norwegian coastal city at the same time, where the Nicosia giants need to protect a slender 2-1 victory earned last Thursday in Nicosia in order to progress.

“The artificial pitch is definitely something new to us but I am fully confident in our coach and players and I believe that it will not affect them. We are definitely a better team than them, but unfortunately we did not manage to get a clear advantage after the first game in Cyprus,” said APOEL vice-president Antis Polydorou.

Omonia, the third Cypriot representative in the Europa League, will take on Serbian powerhouse Red Star Belgrade at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia at 7pm.

“After the 0-0 in Belgrade we expect a difficult game in Nicosia,” stated Red Star manager Robert Prosinecki.

“We analysed the way Omonia play and I believe that we are prepared for them better this time. Unlike in Belgrade they will have to open up and chase victory and this should leave us more space in midfield, so we will try to utilise that by dominating play in the middle of the pitch,” he added.

Omonia’s Portuguese midfielder Bruno Aguiar wants his side to make history by reaching the group stage for the first time: “I think it will be a good game. It is a good opportunity for us. All the players expect a lot from this game as we are aware that Omonia have never reached the group stage in any of the European competitions. We are concentrated and I hope that we have what it takes.”

Cyprus Mail