Dundalk vs Rosenborg
Dreams are made of many things.
Football games create dreams and let us be thankful that they do!
Because just over a month after Real Madrid were crowned champions of Europe, so minnows from southern Ireland pursue their dream of a date on the same pitch as the Spanish giants.
Despite the betting odds being stacked against them, it’s not impossible that this proud club could become the first from Ireland to progress to the Champions League group stages.
The Lilywhites begin their 2017 journey in the second qualifying round with a clear aim: to go one better than last season.
On those occasions, who could forget the away goals success over FH of Iceland or the thrilling triumph over competition regulars BATE Borisov before missing out to Legia Warsaw of Poland in a playoff (they did have the consolation of automatic qualification to the Europa League).
Of course, Dundalk are underdogs.
Rosenborg are top of the Norwegian Premier Division, have not lost in three matches and have three wins from their three previous meetings with Irish clubs in Europe.
They also have European pedigree – defeating reigning English Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers in the competition in 1995, even reaching the quarter-finals the following season when they were narrowly beaten by then holders Juventus.
However, unbeaten in five themselves, Dundalk know they will be cheered on to the rafters by their passionate home support at a sell-out Oriel Park – one of the most unlikely venues for Champions League football.
If they can use that home advantage to take something to the Lerkendal Stadion in Trondheim next week, manager Stephen Kenny and his players, including new signing Dylan Connolly, can dare to dream.
Certainly, a £1 million cash boost, should they prevail, is incentive enough.
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