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Gareth Fullerton

Floriana scouted - what Linfield can expect in Europa League

Linfield have been drawn against Floriana in the second qualifying round of the Europa League.

The draw was made in Nyon, Switzerland on Monday and also saw Coleraine paired against Motherwell.

David Healy's Blues will be looking to progress in Europe, especially with home advantage against their next opponents.

But who are Floriana? And what kind of test will they offer on September 17?

Here's some background information...

Profile

Name : Floriana

Where from : Malta

Colours : Green and white

League : Maltese Premier League

Honours

Floriana have won 26 national leagues and 20 other cups.

They are the only team from Malta to have qualified for the first round proper of the UEFA Champions League, in the 1993–94 season.

How did they get on last season?

Floriana were leading their league when it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

They were three points ahead of nearest rivals Valletta.

Floriana were awarded the title.

Irish connection

They are nicknamed Tal-Irish. They got their green and white colours after playing a friendly against the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.

Because of those colours, they gained their nickname which basically means 'The Irish'.

European experience

They are the only Maltese side to reach the first round proper of the Champions League (1993) when there were no qualifying rounds.

Their only other win in a European tie was a 1-0 win over Aberystwyth Town in the 1999 Intertoto Cup.

How did they end up in this draw?

They lost 2-0 to Romania outfit CFR Cluj in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.

Linfield are in this competition after their narrow defeat to Legia Warsaw in the Champions League first round.

How do they line up?

Well, in their Champions League defeat to Cluj - where they had home advantage - they went with a 4-4-2 formation with Brazilian pair Adan Tiago and Flavio Cheveresan up top.

In that game they had over half of the possession during the game and created four chances, but none on target.

Their only two other games prior to that defeat were two friendlies against Hibernians which both ended in draws.

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