Stephen Bradley joked that he was turning into a weatherman ahead of Shamrock Rovers clash in sweltering Albania tonight.
But he believes the forecast will be good for the Hoops as they look to rain on Teuta’s parade and reach the Europa Conference League playoff.
Today’s game was moved to the 12,800-capacity Elbasan Arena, 80km from Teuta’s own ‘Niko Dovana’ stadium in Durres which does not meet UEFA standard for this round.
Rovers have based themselves in the capital city Tirana since Tuesday in order to acclimatise after a heatwave gripped the region with near 40 degree temperatures.
The makeshift venue is only 40km from Tirana and the Hoops will bus in and out on the day before flying home after the game.
Bradley’s charges lead 1-0 after Aidomo Emakhu scored off the bench in injury-time in Tallaght last week to edge out Teuta who came to defend.
Bradley insists Rovers will look to win today’s game rather than protect their narrow lead, but stressed how vital it will be to manage the stifling conditions.
“Tuesday was really hot, late 30s,” he said. “(Yesterday) was hot but cloudy and (today) is meant to be really sunny - I sound like a weatherman here - and it will be hot.
“We have to prepare for that, deal with it and manage the game at the right times. But I’m sure we will because we’re an experienced team in Europe.
“We’ve played a lot of European games in hot places like Cyprus and Bratislava recently, so there are no excuses. We know what we’re facing.”
He continued: “Your game management has to be right for when you press and when you can't press. You can't press as often, so it has to be clever.
“When the ball goes dead you have to manage the game at the right times and allow yourself more time to get set and get ready for the next phase of play.”
Long-term absentee Neil Farrugia is the only player unavailable with Bradley determined to win the second-leg and clinch a playoff against Flora Tallinn.
The Estonians almost caused a shock by dumping AC Omonia out of the Europa League on Tuesday but lost in a penalty shootout.
They drop into the Conference and will stand in Rovers' way of reaching the groups - where every win is worth €500,000 - providing they get the job done in Albania.
Bradley said: “I watched a bit of the Flora-Omonia game and it was pretty even before penalties but we’re just focused on tonight.
“We’ve got a big job to do and if we do that right, then we can fully look towards Flora Tallinn.”
Bradley expects Tueta to be more adventurous as the hosts have to release the shackles and come out to play.
And while goalkeeper Alan Mannus and the Rovers defence in general had little to contend with in Tallaght, that could be a different story in the second-leg.
Bradley added: “Every week domestically is about making sure we're strong defensively because nine times out of 10 we have the majority of the game.
“We have to make sure we respect the other part of it, even though we have the ball. This will be no different.
“But we’re going out to win the game. We have to approach it like it's 0-0. We have to go with that mindset. We don't go anywhere to settle for a 0-0.
“They’re talking of 400-500 of their fans at most. There would have been a lot more at their place, so the game being moved definitely helps us.”
