News

TNS Looking to Restore Pride Against Shkendija

Things didn’t go to plan for TNS in their Champions League first leg game against Shkendija last week. Their plan for the game was to return home with something that would give them a chance to win the tie overall and make the next round. However, after a collapse in the second half they returned home with a 5-0 defeat and a slim to none chance of making the next round.

The Welsh club are a very proud team, especially when it comes to their games in Europe so you can expect them to play hard here and do all they can to pick up a win against their Macedonian counterparts. However, that won’t be easy as we saw in the first game.

There is no doubt that the Macedonians know how to finish if given the game, something that TNS gave them in the opening game. Three goals in a 13 minute period during the second half was more than enough to see Shkendija home with an easy victory, and when given the chance to play and attack they did look to be a very dangerous team. If TNS are to have any chance of causing an upset here and restoring some pride then they must cut down the attacking opportunities given to their opponents. That is easier said than done of course, but they have to see this game as a clean slate and try and work out a plan that will give them hope of getting something from the second game.

Shkendija Looking Strong Ahead of TNS Game

The quality of opposition that TNS are up against looks to be pretty good for this level, and Shkendija will think that they can go on and have a good chance of winning in the next round as well. The Macedonians did nothing wrong last week and they look more than capable of beating TNS for a second time on Tuesday.

Their attacking play looked to be above average, and when TNS let things slip in the second half, they gave the Macedonians chances that they didn’t miss. The Welsh team will know that the same chances once again will result in goals against, and it is the basic errors they made in the first leg that have to be cut out here.

At their very best, TNS are capable of holding their own against a team like Shkendija, but we are going to need a much better performance from them this week to do so. The Macedonians on the other hand can come to Wales and enjoy the game, knowing that qualification is almost guaranteed for them. They can play without worry, attacking when given the opprotunity and they have goals in them, so this game looks more than likely to go their way.

It is likely the Welsh will attack in an attempt to win and restore pride, but all that is going to do here is leave gaps for Shkendija to exploit. They can do exactly that, and take the win in this game.