After eliminating Romanian champions FCSB in one of the biggest results in the club’s history, FK Auda now turn their attention to another European challenge as they host Albanian side Dinamo City in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round at Skonto Stadium on Tuesday. The game will start 19:00 local time.
Auda produced a stunning upset in the previous round, defeating FCSB over two legs to reach the third qualifying round for the first time. The Latvian side now stands just two ties away from a historic place in the UEFA Conference League league phase, but first must overcome an opponent that has already eliminated two higher-profile clubs this summer.
Dinamo City have enjoyed an impressive European campaign of their own. The Albanian side knocked out FC Astana in the opening qualifying round, winning 4-2 on aggregate after extra time following a dramatic second leg. They then carried that momentum into the second round, comfortably defeating Slovenian club Aluminij 4-1 on aggregate to book their meeting with Auda.
The visitors have shown resilience throughout the competition, proving capable of competing against teams from stronger-ranked leagues while demonstrating both defensive organisation and attacking efficiency.
For Auda, confidence will be high after the memorable victory over FCSB, but head coach Didier Zanetti has repeatedly warned his young squad against complacency. Speaking ahead of the match, the French coach stressed that Dinamo City represent a completely different challenge and insisted his players must remain focused despite the celebrations surrounding their previous success.
Auda are expected to continue relying on their aggressive pressing style and possession-based approach that proved successful against the Romanian champions. Much attention will once again fall on experienced figures such as Eduards Dašķevičs, Barthelemy Diedhiou, Edvin Bongemba and goalkeeper Nils Puriņš, while Zanetti has confirmed that forward Ibrahim Husseini remains unavailable through injury.
With the return leg still to come in Albania, securing a positive result in Rīga will be crucial. Zanetti has already emphasised that controlling the tempo and emotions of the match will be just as important as chasing goals, knowing the tie will ultimately be decided over 180 minutes.
The winners of the tie will advance to the UEFA Conference League play-off round, where they will face the loser of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie between Cypriot champions Pafos FC and Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg.
