KuPS and Slovan Bratislava meet at Savon Sanomat Areena, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (2nd Qualifying Round). This will be the first direct confrontation between these two teams, as they have never met before.
KuPS :
The home team will make its debut in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of achieving a positive result, taking advantage of the home factor. In their last match, for the Veikkausliiga, they beat Lahti away by (1‑2). In their last 10 home games the KuPS has registered 9 wins and 1 loss. The team allowed goals to the opponent in 9 of the last 10 matches, so their defense needs to improve, But their offense has scored regularly, as they have scored goals in 8 of the last 10 matches.
KuPS come to this match after a 1-2 victory at the Lahti stadium visit, for their fourth consecutive victory in official matches: the team’s goals were scored by Saxman and Nissila. It should be noted that the Finns reach this stage of the Europa League after losing in the first round of the Champions League, against Molde. In this game against Slovan Bratislava, coach Arne Erlandsen must maintain the 4-3-3, with Niskanen, Sale and Purje being the most advanced pieces of the team. Outside of this game are Pedro Vitor, Thiaw and Jyry, due to physical problems.
Slovan Bratislava :
The visiting team plays its first match in this edition of the UEFA Europa League with the intention of achieving a positive result as a visitor. The team comes to this match after a home win against Spartak Trnava by (2‑0). In the last 10 away matches for all competitions, Slovan Bratislava has won 7 and lost 3. Their attack has scored regularly as they have scored at least one goal in each of the last 10 matches.
Slovan Bratislava’s team comes into this match after a 2-0 win over Trnava, adding their third consecutive victory in official matches: Vernon De Marco scored both goals for the team. It should be noted that the Slovaks lost 3-0 to KÍ in the first match of the Champions League. In this away game, coach Jan Kozak must keep the team 4-3-3, favoring the maintenance of possession and organized attacks through the flanks, but at some points of the game he must focus on the counterattack : Rafael Ratóo is very fast and very strong in hand to hand. Out of this game are Lichy and Weiss, both injured.
