Zrinjski seeks a good result in Portugal to repeat last year's success in the Conference League

(Patria) - Zrinjski footballers will face Portuguese Vitoria tonight in Guimarães in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League play-off round.

In order for the "nobles" to repeat last year's success and qualify for the group stage of that European competition, they will have to overcome the last obstacle – Vitoria, which has impressively started the new season.

Rui Borges' team has recorded as many as six wins in six official appearances in the new season, without conceding a goal.

Borges stated before the match with the Mostar team that he expects a difficult game, but also a victory for his team.

- I can't say much about Zrinjski. I know it will be difficult because two teams that have reached the play-off will face each other and want to reach the groups at all costs. A difficult match certainly awaits us against a team that played in the Champions League last season, which drew at home against Aston Villa. But I don't actually know too much about them. I only know that they will certainly give their all to qualify for the group. And they must also understand that we want the same thing at all costs – said Borges.

Zrinjski's coach Mario Ivanković is aware of the difficulty of the challenge ahead:

- The toughest opponent awaits us, although we should not underestimate the strength of Bravo and Botev, against whom we showed our quality and deservedly advanced. The match with Vitoria is the icing on the cake, a game in which we can gain the most through the hardest path. I have nothing to lose and we have no reason not to put up a real fight and achieve a good result in Portugal. And why not hope? The second leg is at home, in front of a full stadium.

Slobodan Jakovljević returns to Zrinjski after a minor injury, while Josip Ćorluka will miss the match against the Portuguese due to injury. Ivanković will also not be able to count on reserve goalkeeper Goran Karačić, who did not travel to Portugal due to a viral infection.

The match Vitoria – Zrinjski will be played tonight at 6:45 PM, and the second leg is scheduled for Thursday, August 29, at 8:00 PM.