A home European defeat is never ideal, but after losing 1-0 against Luxembourg’s FC Differdange 03 on Wednesday, The New Saints have work to do if they wish to prolong their involvement in this season’s UEFA Conference League. 

Artur Abreu’s strike in the 36th minute was the only thing to separate the sides at Park Hall, although Aramide Oteh did have a late effort ruled out for offside. 

Trailing on aggregate, Craig Harrison’s side know that only a victory on Tuesday (July 29th) will be enough to see them advance to the third qualifying round and set up a potential clash with Levadia Tallinn (Estonia) or Iberia 1999 (Georgia).  

The Stade Municipal de la Ville de Differdange (which in English translates to the Municipal Stadium of the City of Differdange) where the match will be played has hosted Welsh clubs previously, with both Bala Town and Cardiff Met University visiting within the last decade.  

In 2015, the Lakesiders fell to a 3-1 defeat there against TNS’ opponents, while the Archers where also beaten there 1-0 by Progres Niederkorn four years later. 

For the JD Cymru Premier champions, this won’t be their first visit to Luxembourg of course, with the Saints taking on Swift Hesperange at the same stage of the competition two years ago. 

It’s not a tie that will bring back positive memories for fans of the club, however. Despite a 1-1 draw at Park Hall, Craig Harrison’s ultimately fell to a 4-3 aggregate defeat, and as a result, were eliminated from the UEFA Conference League.

With VAR not in operation at this stage of the competition, the four match officials for this week’s second leg are all from Norway: Sigurd Kringstad (referee), Ole Andreas Haukåsen and Runar Langseth (assistant refereee), and Daniel Higraff (fourth official). 

If you aren’t making the trip to Differdange, the match will be broadcast live on Sgorio’s digital platforms. Kick-off is 7pm UK time (8pm in Luxembourg).

There will also be live commentary provided courtesy of BBC Radio Shropshire, which can be accessed via BBC Sounds.