Lausanne look to avoid Irish upset

Lausanne's Marcin Kuzba (left) fails to break through the Cork defense during the team's first encounter Keystone

Lausanne will face a tougher than expected challenge on Thursday as they take on the Irish minnows of Cork in the second leg of their UEFA Cup qualifying match.

The Swiss side have only a 1-0 lead going into the match, following a disappointing performance at home two weeks ago.

Even that one goal margin seemed fortunate at the time, secured thanks to a last minute strike from Cédric Horjak. The dismissal of midfielder Olivier Baudry in the same match could also have repercussions in Ireland with the influential Frenchman now suspended for the second leg. In attack, Lausanne could also be without joint top-scorer Javier Mazzoni who is suffering from an abdominal injury.

Even with these difficulties Lausanne should be capable of seeing off a side which is only semi-professional, but the Irish league runners-up have caused upsets in the past. Two years ago the side beat CSCA Kiev 2-1 at home in the first leg of a Cup Winners’ Cup tie, only to go out in the return match.

Perhaps Cork’s current form is of more concern, though. Under new trainer, Derek Mountfield, the team have won both their opening league games and are currently the early leaders in the Irish championship.

Lausanne’s narrow lead will at least force Cork to attack more convincingly than they did at the Olympic stadium, which should give the Swiss side plenty of opportunity to counter-attack.. Twenty-year old striker Christophe Simon is expected to join Marcin Kuzba upfront if Mazzoni fails to recover in time, while Wagner Gomes is likely to deputise for Baudry.

swissinfo with agencies