Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch anticipates a thrilling experience as his team prepares for the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round first leg against HNK Rijeka on Thursday at 19:45 BST. Following a disappointing exit from the Europa League after losing 5-3 on aggregate to CSKA Sofia, the Candystripes aim to bounce back in European competition.

HNK Rijeka, who finished fourth in the Croatian league last season, poses a significant challenge, having reached the Conference League phase last year. Lynch highlighted the quality of Rijeka’s squad, mentioning players like Toni Fruk, who recently returned from the World Cup with the Croatian national team.

Lynch stated, "They are a very good side, a very technical side and they're very possession based. They want to get on the ball, they want to play and they want to keep the ball."

Despite the setback against CSKA Sofia, the Derry manager remains optimistic, viewing the match as a valuable learning opportunity. He emphasized the importance of testing themselves against superior opposition:

I think this is going to be a great opportunity for us.

The previous match against CSKA Sofia was marred by crowd trouble, leading to a suspended partial stadium closure for Derry and a fine of 20,000 euro (£17,000). Lynch expressed disappointment that the game would be remembered for the disturbances rather than the football itself, as he noted the electric atmosphere created by the fans, stating, "They were loud, they kept going."

As Derry City prepares for this crucial match, Lynch hopes for a strong performance that can set the stage for the second leg in this exciting European journey.