Turkey's Malatyaspor believe advancing in Europa League

Turkey's Malatyaspor believe advancing in Europa League

Despite last Thursday's 2-2 draw at home, Turkish club has high hopes to advance to next round in competition

By Emrah Gokmen

MALATYA, Turkey (AA) - Turkey's Yeni Malatyaspor, who are playing in the UEFA Europa League for the first time in their history, believe to advance to the third qualifying round in the competition.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency in an interview, the Turkish club's press spokesman Hakki Celikel said that the team hopes to eliminate Slovenian team Olimpija Ljubljana in the away match of the second qualifying round's second leg.

"Despite our result in the first leg seems to be disadvantageous for us, our team whole-heartedly believes that we will qualify," Celikel said.

Turkish football club Yeni Malatyaspor had a risky start to their first UEFA Europa League campaign as they drew with Slovenia's Olimpija Ljubljana 2-2 at home last Thursday evening in the second qualifying round first leg.

Celikel said although the team is not yet ready for the new season, Thursday's performance by the newly-transferred players satisfied the club management.

"All of our players did their best and will continue to do so. We will advance to the next round by winning in Slovenia. Our target has not changed, we will hopefully be in the group stages."

Celikel also recalled the club's success in the Turkish Super Lig last season, said that the fifth-place finish was "a surprise" for many pundits.

Malatyaspor collected 47 points in the 2018/2019 Super Lig season, finishing the league at 5th spot and clinched the Europa League elimination stages.

"The success we had last season was not a coincidence," Celikel said, adding that the club's aim for the new season is finishing the league at least at 5th spot again.

The second leg will be played at Ljubljana's Stozice Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 1.

The winning team in this phase will advance to the Europa League third qualifying round.


* Writing by Emre Asikci


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