Rabotnicki for the second time this season, Metalurg for the first. UEFA Europa League, second qualifying round.

Rabotnicki with an easy task ahead of them. Or, at least that is what we consider. After the 7:1 aggregate victory over Estonian Trans Narva, Rabotnicki got one of the easiest possible opponents in the second round. The cup winners from San Marino, Juvenes/Dogana. An amateur football club where only goalkeeper Simone Montanari has Italian nationality, every other player holds Sanmarinese nationality. They play their games on Stadio Olimpico in Serravalle which holds capacity of 7.000.

Match is scheduled for 20.30 CET tomorrow and main referee is Huw Jones from Wales. Rabotnicki are huge favorites and everything else then a victory will be an amazing surprise.

Far more difficult work has Metalurg who are hosting Lokomotiv Sofia. For the second time in club history, Metalurg are in Europa League. Last year they were eliminated in the first round, this time they are starting in the second because they are current cup winners. Keeping most of their important players, Metalurg’s squad is still well-balanced. Their pre-season friendlies went well, winning 3 times and losing only to Partizan in Belgrade. According to Bulgarian football fans, Lokomotiv Sofia are not that strong although can be considered as favorites over the 2 legs. They had some bad transfer moves and Metalurg can use the home advantage and try to make a result that will give them good chance for the second leg in Sofia.

Match is scheduled for National Arena Philip II of Macedon at 20.45 CET with live TV broadcast on Kanal 5. Odds on Metalurg are around 4.10 at the moment. Main referee is Luc Wilmes from Luxembourg. 

While we expect an easy win from Rabotnicki, Metalurg has difficult task ahead of them but can bring good result for themselves and for Macedonian football. We wish them luck!