The second legs of the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League take place this week and there are some thrilling games to watch. The pick of the second leg games comes on Thursday night as FK Sarajevo welcome Atalanta to the Olimpijski Stadion Asim Ferhatovic Hase.
The hosts hold the advantage following a shock 2-2 draw in Italy but can the Bosnian club complete the job and hold out for what would be one of the biggest results in their history?
FK Sarajevo play in the Bosnian Premijer League and they have recently started their new season. To qualify for the Europa League, FJ Sarajevo finished fourth in the regular 2017/18 season before moving up one spot in the Championship round to end up in third place.
This season, they have played two games, losing the first 2-1 at Radnik Bijeljina before defeating Mladost Doboj Kakanj at home 4-0 on the weekend. FK Sarajevo’s season started on the 11th July when they met Banants in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup. FK Sarajevo won the away leg 2-1 and the home leg 3-0.
However, overall home form in the Europa League is not good and the 3-0 win over Banants was their second in five matches. They lost three of the previous four and were eliminated on penalties in one, despite having won the game 2-1. FK Sarajevo have conceded goals in four of their last five home Europa League matches.
Atalanta were left reeling following the 2-2 draw at home in the first leg. It was a game they were expected to win comfortably but having taken a two-goal lead into half-time, the Italians allowed the visitors back into the match. FK Sarajevo scored two goals in the second half to leave Italy with a draw.
Atalanta do have an excuse for not being prepared as they were expecting to be in the group stages of the competition following the ban of AC Milan. However, the decision was overturned which meant Atalanta dropped into the second qualifying round.
Gianpiero Gasperini will be hoping his team is up to speed in time for this second leg as he knows his players have the quality to win this game and progress. Away form in the Europa League is not good and Atalanta have won one of their four away games, although that was an impressive 5-1 at Everton last season.
Team news and FK Sarajevo do not have any injury or suspension concerns ahead of this game. Haris Handzic will be hoping to start the game having come off the bench to score in the first leg.
Atalanta will be without the injured Marco Varnier for this match but he is the only major absentee for the Serie A team, who should be close to full strength.
FK Sarajevo are on the brink of one of the best results in their history. Atalanta will be further along in their preparation for the new season and should provide a tougher test. However, with the home advantage, FK Sarajevo could pick up another draw and it will all depend on whether they can keep it at 0-0 or 1-1 because anything more would see extra-time or elimination.