Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley was frustrated not to open their European group stage account with a win.
The Hoops got a point on the board after a chess-like, tactical battle with Swedish giants Djurgardens at a not-sold-out Tallaght Stadium.
Both sides had chances to win with Rory Gaffney, Gary O’Neill, Dylan Watts and Sean Kavanagh all going close for Rovers.
But Rovers also paid a price as Sean Hoare and Sean Gannon are doubts for Sunday’s clash with Finn Harps and next week’s trip to Gent after shipping injuries.
Bradley said: “I’m frustrated that we haven’t won the game as I believe we had the better chances.
“But overall we are happy. There are certain areas we can improve on, but I felt we had the better chances in the game. But we will improve.”
Bradley continued: “Games at this level you have to be tactically aware and not be too open and that is what gives us the platform to go and create chances.
“We created our own problems early on as our passing was too negative and they are aggressive in their press.
“We knew they had some good players in attacking areas of the pitch but we feel we could cause them problems and we did.
“We have played some top teams here and when we’re at our levels and aggressive in our play, we have shown that we can compete.”
Shamrock Rovers defender Lee Grace echoed that sentiment and said: “I don't think it was a step up from what we have already faced in Europe.
“Ludogorets and Ferencvaros were just as good as them and I thought we managed the game well.”
Grace continued: “We settled after causing ourselves our own problems early on. We had to dig in at the end but we probably should have won the game
“I’m happy with a clean sheet and it’s a point on the board and we move on.”
Quizzed on Hoare and Gannon’s injuries, Bradley said: “We hope Sean Hoare got out before any serious damage was done. Sean Gannon tweaked his knee.”
Bradley insisted that Jack Byrne and Gaffney were not carrying injuries and stressed the squad game after they made an impact off the bench.
“It was nothing to do with knocks,” he said. “We have a busy schedule and it’s about trusting the group. I genuinely don't believe we have a strongest XI.”
Djurgardens joint-boss Thomas Lagerlöf said: “The performance was not that good but the result was okay.
“To come away from here with one point is okay as Rovers are very good here and almost never lose.
“The first half we were in total control but not really creating chances but the first 25 minutes of the second half was a disaster.
“I know that we can play better than we did today. If we can raise our game we will see if Rovers can raise their game in the return leg.”
