Sometimes in football, you can pinpoint the exact moment in which things start to go your way, and you can pinpoint the moment in which the underdog is able to overcome the odds. It happens so often that we’ve almost become numb to it, although when it comes to the early stages of Champions League qualifying, it can still surprise you every now and again. For Cork City, it seemed as if they may be able to pull off a surprise of their own last week by, at the very least, holding Legia Warsaw to a draw in their first-leg – but alas, it wasn’t to be.

They fought valiantly and probably could’ve edged something out of the game, but a 1-0 draw puts Legia right where they want to be. Why? Because not only are they the healthier team courtesy of their domestic league not getting underway yet but now, they don’t have the ‘rust’ factor hanging over their heads. They’ve gotten their first game back out of their system and they’re ready to push on, as they attempt to secure a victory that the majority of fans were expecting coming into this tie.

The biggest issue for Cork is going to be the intimidation factor when they make the trip to Poland because as we well know, they really do get behind their teams over there. The fact that they’ve got a lead to defend probably won’t change that one bit, with Warsaw wanting to build as much momentum as is humanly possible prior to the Polish league resuming in a few weeks time.

Betting Tip

The goal from Michal Kucharczyk was good enough to win any game of football, and the fact that it came so late in the game should show you how well Cork did to hold Legia out. However, that goal would’ve given them acres of confidence as the remainder of their attacking forces attempt to prove, once and for all, why they’re the alphas in this tie.

With just one goal conceded in their last six competitive games, it’s not hard to see why Legia are such a force to be reckoned with over in Poland, and it doesn’t seem as if they’re going to have too many problems keeping Cork out. The Irish side hasn’t exactly been free-scoring as of late either in European competition or domestically, with just four goals in their last five games to speak of. Nobody can ever accuse them of not having the heart necessary to take this game through until the bitter end, but at this level, that just isn’t enough.

Our official prediction will be a 2-0 win for Legia Warsaw to make it 3-0 on aggregate, but it’d be interesting to see whether or not Cork will come out all guns blazing in the early stages. If they do that then they’ve got a chance at causing the upset, and you could argue that the late goal in the first leg should be viewed as the catalyst behind them throwing everything they’ve got at this game in an attempt to progress.

Receive exclusive betting tips and offers directly to your inbox. Receive exclusive betting tips and offers. SIGN UP