Scouting Report: MFK RužomberokSlovakian football journalist, Lukáš Vráblik, provides the lowdown on Thursday's opponents.
Ahead of the first leg of Everton’s UEFA Europa League third round qualifier against MFK Ružomberok on Thursday, we caught up with Lukáš Vráblik, a journalist for Slovakian newspaper Dennik N, to find out more about the Super Liga outfit.
Tell us how Ružomberok qualified for the Europa League. Was it a surprise? LV: Ružomberok have always been a mid-table side, always very close to European places, but not serious contenders for the league title. Finishing third last season was a great achievement for them, as it was not expected they would finish above teams like Trenčín, who were the league champions back in 2016. However, they are not expected to repeat that feat again this season, but it would not be a great surprise if they did, either. From four Slovak sides which entered European cups (Žilina, Slovan and Trenčín), they were the biggest outsiders - hardly anyone expected them to get as far as they have, but they are the only side from the country which is still in European competition.
Who are their key players? LV: Ružomberok don’t have real leaders or stars, they rely more on a collective effort from all of the players. The biggest name in the squad is Marek Sapara, experienced 34-year-old playmaker, who was a big star when he played for Rosenborg. There were German clubs, like Schalke, interested in him back then, but he got one long injury and he never quite came back. He played 38 games for the Slovak national team, but when he was on his top form, former national team coach Vladimír Weiss did not give him a lot of opportunities. He helped the club to their title in 2006 and then left to move abroad, and now he has returned. Apart from him, the leading player was Czech striker Jakub Mareš, but he left during the summer to Slovan Bratislava. Another good player is young centre-back Dominik Kružliak. He played for a league select XI, too. However, I would not say there is anyone who is of Premier League standard.
How do Ružomberok like to play? LV: They rely more on counter-attacks, but the defence can be prone to mistakes. They usually play in a 4-5-1 system with a lone striker, who is physically well-built. After Jakub Mareš’ departure, it is Nermin Haskić.
What can you tell us about the manager, Norbert Hrnčár? LV: Hrnčár was a good player in the past, he played mainly for Slovak clubs and has also two caps for the national team. He belongs to the generation of young coaches in Slovakia, along with more well-known Adrián Guľa and Martin Ševela. At the start of his coaching career, he worked more as an assistant coach, but five years ago he got his first job at Banská Bystrica and then he did some good work at Myjava, so that’s why Ružomberok chose him last year after some turbulent seasons. He brought some stability and strategy into the team and they play well under his management.
Are the people of Ružomberok - and Slovakian football fans in general - excited they will be playing Everton?LV: Definitely! People were immediately interested in tickets for the game and, of course, it will be sold out. There has not been a big club from England in Slovakia since Žilina played Chelsea in the Champions League, so there is a real enthusiasm around Everton now and all football fans are looking forward to it. Everybody hopes that stars like Wayne Rooney will come for the return leg, too.
Was it a surprise they beat Brann in the previous qualifying round?
LV: Probably, because they were slightly underdogs, but it was not a shock, either. People thought Slovan or Trenčín were more likely to get through than Ružomberok, but they played well in Norway and deserved to advance, it was not a coincidence.
Are Everton one of Ružomberok's biggest ever opponents? LV: Yes. Back in 2006, when they won the league title, they played against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League. Now, they are in European competition after 11 years and they have never faced an opponent as big as Everton.
How do you think Ružomberok will cope with playing at Goodison Park in front of a sell-out crowd of nearly 40,000? LV: That’s very hard to say, because only maybe Sapara has ever played in front of such a large crowd. It might be big shock for them, because in the Slovak league, attendances of around 1,000 or 2,000 are typical. So, if Everton fans make good atmosphere, it will be big experience for the players, for sure. It will be interesting to see how they will act under such as pressure, and against such as big opponent.
Looking at the return leg - what can you tell us about the town and the stadium at the bottom of the mountain? LV: There were some talks that the game could be moved to bigger stadiums in Žilina or Trnava, but they decided to remain in Ružomberok, even if there are only around 5,000 seats. It is very small stadium, and it is funny that fans watch games also from the mountain which is very close. Ružomberok is a small, nice and quiet city, there are good places to eat in the centre.
Will the Everton fans enjoy visiting Ružomberok?LV: Ružomberok is a nice place, even if some people say they don’t like the smell from nearby paper-making factories! I would not say there are a lot of things to do, but fans can consider a trip to High Tatras, which is easily available by train. Also, Žilina, which is bigger city, is quite close.
Will Ružomberok believe they can beat Everton over two legs?LV: To be honest, it will be really tough. You never know in football, but to be realistic, it's a big ask to progress. They could get one draw maybe, but even that would be amazing achievement. They will fight, but Everton are a much better side.
With that said, what is your prediction? LV: I think Everton will progress over two legs. Ružomberok will try to make things difficult. If they avoided big losses and maybe got one draw out of two games, that would be considered to be a great result.