Scotland's Teams Prepare for Europa Cup Qualifiers
A stark contrast in fortunes awaits Scotland's two representatives in the Europa Cup as they prepare for the second legs of their qualifying rounds on Wednesday.
The reigning Scottish champions, Hibernian, suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Inter Milan in Italy, while runners-up Glasgow City secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Athlone Town from Ireland.
As they gear up for their respective return matches, Hibs defender Siobhan Hunter remains optimistic about the possibility of a remarkable comeback, stating, "Stranger things have happened," as the team aims for a place in the draw for the second qualifying round on Friday.
Can Hibs Mount a Historic Comeback?
Despite their challenging loss in Milan, Hibs can draw encouragement from their performance in the first leg. Coach Joelle Murray praised the team for maintaining their composure throughout the match, stating that the players "never let their heads down, not once within the 90 minutes."
To overcome the deficit at Easter Road, a similar level of effort, discipline, and commitment will be essential. Hunter expressed confidence, saying they "definitely have the belief" to succeed. The key to their potential success, she noted, is to "be ready from the first minute."
Hibs fell two goals behind within the first 10 minutes in Italy, which significantly impacted the match's momentum. However, a goal from Eilidh Adams has rekindled hope among the squad. "We have to be ready from minute one," emphasized Hunter. "Those early goals killed the game too early for us, so we need to come out flying. While we were hard to beat for most of the match, we suffered from lapses in concentration that allowed them to score. They are a massive team with immense quality and will punish any mistakes at this level."
After bouncing back with a commanding 5-0 win over Montrose, Hunter is encouraging her teammates to draw on their experience from last season, when they defied the odds to secure the title. "I’ve seen a few interviews where the pressure's off; they’re expected to win and are favorites," she remarked. "It’s reminiscent of last year when we weren’t favorites at the top of the table, yet we achieved it. Football is a strange game, and stranger things have happened. It’s a tough task, but one we’re relishing."
Will City Capitalize on Their First-Leg Lead?
Meanwhile, Leanne Ross’s Glasgow City enter their second leg with confidence, having won all four of their opening fixtures in the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL). "We’re more than happy with the result," Ross said after their first-leg victory. "Going into the tie with a 3-0 lead is exactly what we wanted."
City has already netted 10 goals in the league, and they will look to in-form midfielder Sofia Maatta, who was instrumental in the first leg, to continue her impressive performance. The Finland international assisted all three goals scored by Amy Anderson, Linda Motlhalo, and Lisa Forrest, and also set up Natalia Wrobel for the only goal in their recent match against Hamilton Academical.
With the domestic league more competitive than ever, featuring teams like City, Hibs, Hearts, Celtic, and Rangers all vying for the title, the increased exposure and financial benefits of European competition could provide Ross’s side with a significant advantage.
Follow Wednesday's Action with BBC Sport
Hibernian vs. Inter Milan (1-4)
Venue: Easter Road Stadium, Leith Kick-off: 19:00 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC Alba from 18:50 BST; live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.
Athlone Town vs. Glasgow City (0-3)
Venue: Athlone Town Stadium, Athlone Kick-off: 19:30 BST
Coverage: Live updates on the BBC Sport website and app.