Stephen Kenny believes that Belarusian champions FC BATE Borisov represent as tough a challenge as Dundalk could have been given from Monday's Champions League second qualifying round draw, but told Extratime.ie after the match-up had been made: “We ourselves are formidable as well.”
In what will be the Lilywhites' first foray into Europe's premier competition for 20 years, Kenny's side have been given a difficult task in the form of BATE, who have reached the Champions League group stages on four occasions – including three times in the last four seasons. However, the Dundalk manager believes the current form of his side will be a boon heading into the two-legged tie in July.
“It's a tough draw, there's no question about that, I think they have the highest co-efficient of any of the teams we could have got in our section,” said Kenny to Extratime.ie when he learned the identity of his side's opponents.
“They've been in the group stages [of European competition] five of the last seven years, so they're obviously a strong team. So, initially, it's as tough a draw as we could've got. On one hand, that's the reaction.
“On the second hand is that, in this year in all competitions, we've won 20, drawn 2 and lost one. In a previous defeat last year, we went on a run of over 20 games without defeat as well, so I think we're in brilliant form overall and we can take great confidence into the European campaign.”
Continue reading my interview with Stephen Kenny on Extratime.ie.
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