Massey feels the ‘spirit of Split’ can do trick in Poland
DUNDALK defender Dane Massey has called on his side to conjure up the spirit of Split to overcome their 2-0 first leg deficit against Legia Warsaw in Poland tonight (Tuesday).
Two years ago, Stephen Kenny’s side lost to the Croatian outfit but despite conceding the first goal in the away leg went on to win 2-1 at the Stadion Poljud with the home side hanging on for dear life in the end to avoid going out of the Europa League.
Massey insists Dundalk are a better side now and have what it takes to repeat that feat and go one better by advancing to the Champions League group stages.
“We have to be positive,” the left back said after Wednesday’s game.
“We were losing 2-0 to Hajduk Split and we came back and gave them a great game so we have to keep positive now and go over and give Legia a real game of it.
“We have nothing to lose over there because people will write us off anyway so we’ll just go for it. We’re 2-0 down so we have to just go for it.
“BATE are an equally good side and we beat them 3-0 so we’ll get on the training ground this week, have a look at the video back and see where we can hurt them.”
Massey insists it is important his side create more in the Polish Army Stadium though.
“Possession-wise I think we we were comfortable but we didn’t really create any good chances. Their keeper had a couple of saves but that was about it.
“We would have liked to create more but we were happy in possession but the ref then gave the penalty for some mad decision. We just have to remain positive though.
“We were in this position before and we’ll stay positive. We’ll be going on the attack over there anyway.”
The former Bray Wanderers man also described the penalty incident as “very disappointing”.
“Andy Boyle has just gone to block it. I think the ball was going wide and it has just hit his trailing arm. He can’t do anything about it.
“It’s just the way his arm was lying but he has given the penalty and given him a yellow card which means he thinks it’s intentional, which is absolutely ridiculous but it has killed us really.
“We were trying to press on but then they scored again in the 94th minute which is a kick in the teeth.
“It’s not over though. We can still do this,” said Massey.