Will Renova learn the lesson that Glentoran players gave it for free, last Thursday?

Renova, this season’s Macedonian representative in the UEFA Europa League and former champion of Macedonia. They got a rather easy opponent in Northern Irish side Glentoran and thought they will easily pass it. But, that was before the match. As soon as the match started, boom! Penalty for Renova and red card for Glentoran – the semi-professional club.

And, when everyone thought Renova will dominate, win and advance to the second round, Glentoran’s players took control. They were running, they were covering the whole pitch and we rarely saw holes in their defense. Glentoran even managed to equalize the score. Renova only won in 87th minute with a confusing goal.

What did Glentoran do, and Renova did not? Running! Glentoran’s players were fit, ready for 90 minutes, ran lot more then Renova’s. Renova’s style of play is not for Europe. They might get with it in domestic league, but the slow, not creative style of play can’t provide good results. Take a look in last season’s Renova squad here. Gafuri (22) and Velii (21) are the youngest players who were a bit more used although surely not enough. If you take the average age of the players who played over 20 times this season, you will get the number 27. Experience over youth in Renova, for sure.

Glentoran had players aged 17 and 18 against Renova – although they were forced to use them because of squad problems. Nevertheless, the lads ran with passion and gave their team a good result. 27.64 was the average age of the Renova’s 14 players who played against Glentoran, 23.85 for Glentoran’s 14. Ironically, though – both Renova and Glentoran most experienced players, Jancevski (33) and Nixon (32) scored gals Thursday.

Another thing which should force Renova into using younger players – Besart Ibraimi’s transfer. Selling Ibraimi to Schalke 04 earned Renova more then 300.000 Euros. When can one team earn so much money by selling 30-years-old players from Macedonia?

Renova’s youth team was the champions of Macedonia’s youth Super League. That means their youth system is good, so they might start using younger players. Nine players of last season’s squad are no longer with Renova, while only 3 new players were signed. Either Renova will use the youngsters who were champions or they will bring new players.  Let’s hope a lesson has been learned and they will change the old-school style of play.

And, an advice for Belfast. Run! A lot, lot more then Glentoran ran in Skopje.