Dundalk manager Vinny Perth believes that this side will reap plenty of benefits from this week’s pre-season friendlies against CFR Cluj and CSKA Moscow in Spain.
The Lilywhites will face the Romanian champions, managed by former Chelsea defender Dan Petrescu, at the Oliva Nova Golf and Beach Resort in Alicante on Wednesday afternoon at 3 pm, before meeting the Russian side on Friday at 4 pm.
After lengthy delays, the Dundalk squad eventually arrived in Spain on Monday afternoon. Their travel plans were disrupted by Storm Gloria which has battered the Costa Blanca region with 90km winds and heavy snowfall.
The weather is expected to clear ahead of Wednesday’s friendly Cluj and Perth said that both fixtures were an ideal test for his players ahead of the league opener with Derry City on February 14th, along with this summer’s Champions League qualifiers.
New signing Will Patching in action against Evan Farrell of UCD during the pre-season friendly at Oriel Park. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
“I probably went on a personal crusade to get these two friendlies. It was my own drive to get them. The reason being, we’ll learn something from both games,” he told dundalkfc.com
“If you asked UCD did they learn anything from the game with us on Friday night, they’ll tell you that they were playing against the next level up and that’s what we’ll be playing against in Spain.
“What excites me is that not only is it a brilliant training week ahead of the first league game against Derry City but it’s great preparation for the summer.
“Ultimately, the more we play teams at the highest level, the more we’ll be ready and prepared for Europe. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to learn.”
Michael Duffy in action against Conor McKeown of UCD during the pre-season friendly at Oriel Park. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile
Cluj currently sit four points clear at the top of their domestic league which returns from its winter break in early February but it’s their Europa League exploits that have caught peoples attention.
As well as preparing for the second half of their domestic campaign, Petrescu’s men are also gearing up to meet five-time Europa League winners Sevilla in the Last 32 after qualifying as runners-up to Celtic in a section which also contained Lazio and Rennes.
Cluj were beaten 2-1 by Bundesliga II side Holstein Kiel on Friday in the first of their four scheduled training games in Alicante. However, the adverse weather saw their friendly with Ferencvaros called off on Monday with a game against German side SV Wehen Wiesbaden re-arranged for Tuesday afternoon.
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