Manager Madness: What Can Shamrock Rovers Expect from APOEL?
On Thursday, Shamrock Rovers begin their Conference League journey at home to Cypriot champions APOEL. While their magical Champions League run to the quarterfinals in 2012 gave them a name overseas, a lot has changed since, so what can Rovers expect at Tallaght Stadium?
Between a one-club manager merry-go-round and a big spending summer APOEL are still generating headlines, but first let’s have a glance at their history and that unforgettable experience at Europe’s top table.
Early Days in Nicosia
Founded in the Cypriot capital Nicosia in 1926, APOEL was set up to represent the Greek population of the city. APOEL stands for Athletic Football Club of Greeks in Nicosia. The club also has transport and athletes in a variety of other sports, including volleyball and basketball.
The club shares a heated cross-city rivalry with Omonia Nicosia, the origins of which date back to 1948 and the Greek civil war. Several members of the club did not agree with a telegram sent by the club to the Hellenic amateur athletics association, and it was this small act that led to the creation of Omonia by these former members.
Since then, APOEL have gone on to be the most successful club in Cyprus domestically and in European competition. With a total of 29 league titles and 21 cups, they leave Omonia behind with 21 leagues and 16 cups.
Thrylos in Europe
While these domestic achievements are very impressive, it is their exploits in Europe that have given the Thrylos (the Legend) a reputation internationally. Since the football wing of the club was separated from the rest in 1997, APOEL have risen to the top of the Cypriot game, culminating in their first Champions League group stage appearance in 2009-10. While they finished bottom of that group, they were back with a vengeance two years later.
In 2011-12, APOEL qualified for Europe’s premier competition again. This time a team with heavy Brazilian influence went on a famous run.
Drawn in a group alongside Porto, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Shakhtar Donetsk, the Nicosian club lost just once and topped the group to make history again and become the first, and to date only, Cypriot team to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
A victory on penalties over Lyon in the round of 16 carried them to a mammoth tie with the Kings, Real Madrid.
This is where the fairytale finished for APOEL. Losing 8-2 on aggregate, their remarkable run would help finance the club for years to come. Playing in group stages or better in six of the next 8 seasons, their fantastic European form has waned in recent seasons. The last time they featured in Europe was the Europa League groups in 2019.
Manager Madness
Now they’re back, let’s see what’s been going on this year at Rovers’ opponents.
Thrylos won the Cypriot first division last year on the final day of the season, pipping AEK Larnaca to the title head-to-head. Although Portuguese coach Ricardo Sá Pinto, was their official manager, there is more to the story.
In October Sá Pinto was banned from the touchline for four months after a rage-filled altercation with referees, coaches and assistants in a clash with Anorthosis.
This led to his assistant Jose Dominguez taking his place in the technical area for a long and successful run. His boss, Sá Pinto, was let go at the end of the season.
This is where the fun really starts.
The manager he clashed with in October, David Gallego, took the hotseat but was back out the door just as quick.
A disappointing run in the European qualifiers was enough to see Gallego jettisoned before the season even began.
So the logical choice to replace him was none other than Dominguez.
Confused yet?
While Sá Pinto criticised his former assistant in the papers, APOEL were busy in the transfer market.
Recent Form
Conference League winner Youssef El Arabi and former Crystal Palace man Max Meyer are just two of the high-profile players brought in by APOEL. Two men Rovers will need to pay close attention to. While Cypriot defender Konstantinos Laifis, will try his best to keep Johnny Kenny and Graham Burke quiet on Thursday.
This season Dominguez has overseen a loss on opening day, following by 3 wins on a row. Some encouragement from Rovers came this weekend though, as they drew with bottom side Omonia 29 Maiou.
11 goals in 5 league games and a squad full of quality will be enough to keep the League of Ireland champions busy on the pitch; they will be hoping for a quieter one in the stands.
Portokalli Ultras
Portokalli (Orange) are APOEL’s ultras and certain sections of the group are not always the calmest group. There have been clashes with rivals down through the years, some turning violent. The small minority that do cause trouble don’t do their reputation any favours, but there are countless clubs that have the same issue.
There are hardly any instances of violence in Europe from the group so the noise and energy they provide will add to the atmosphere at what is expected to be a packed Tallaght stadium. The spectacle of the away section dressed in orange will certainly be something.
Can Rovers Get Off the Mark?
These sides have clashed once before in Europe. Way back in the 1978-79 Cup Winner’s Cup qualifiers, Rovers won 0-2 away in Cyprus and then 1-0 in Dublin.
The champions will hope to keep that record and start off with a massive three points in front of a bumper home crowd. Stephen Bradley will have one eye on a giant clash with Shelbourne on Sunday, but a win here would be massive.
Who’s to say they won’t?
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