Shamrock Rovers have it all to do if they are to reach the Europa Conference League Group Stages after a damaging 4-2 first-leg defeat to Flora Tallinn on Thursday evening.
A Martin Miller brace along with goals from Rauno Sappinen and Sergei Zenjov caused the damage on a night where the Hoops were undone not only by Flora, but by their sloppy defensive display.
Goals from Graham Burke and Liam Scales left them with a glimmer of hope, but they will need to improve substantially if they are to go through and extend their European odyssey for another few months at least.
After seeing off Drogheda United away from home in league action on Sunday, Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley made two changes, with Gary O'Neill returning to the starting XI.
Bradley spoke in the lead up to this game that Flora Tallinn would prove to be toughest test on their European run so far.
And so it proved early on as the Estonians took a 13th minute lead through Sergei Zenjov.
Zenjov finished off a fine Flora move, pouncing on an exquisite through ball from Konstantin Vassijev. That was following a rare misplaced pass from Joey O'Brien.
Flora in front.
Joey O'Brien's pass is cut out and the hosts punish Rovers.
Brilliant first time finish from Sergei Zenjov. #RoversInEurope | #UECL pic.twitter.com/vGBcrNRhGy— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 19, 2021
This was not the first time Rovers played their Estonian opponents in Europe, however.
They played the Estonian champions in 2011 on their way to the Europa League Group Stages, winning 2-1 on aggregate.
That Hoops side included current players Ronan Finn and Alan Mannus, with the latter leaving Rovers shortly after that Champions League qualifier.
But Flora are a far superior outfit than what they were back then, and it told just before the half-hour mark as they took a 2-0 lead.
Flora Tallinn 2-0 Shamrock Rovers.
Rovers caught on the break, Sappinen cuts inside O'Brien and sets Miller perfectly who finishes emphatically. #RoversInEurope | #UECL pic.twitter.com/LZ426RDBXt— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 19, 2021
Rauno Sappinen broke down the right flank from a Rovers attack, catching a disjointed defence at sixes and sevens after a long-range Graham Burke shot.
He then played the ball across the face of goal to his Estonian international teammate Martin Miller, with Miller on hand to slot home past Mannus.
But they were handed a bolt from the blue on the stroke of half-time, as Burke found the top corner with a wonderful strike.
The former Aston Villa and Preston midfielder latched onto a goalmouth scramble after Dylan Watts' corner broke down.
O'Brien and Rory Gaffney went close, but it was Burke who was on hand to see his strike nestle into the top corner, giving Rovers hope at the break.
GRAHAM BURKE! ☘️
A frantic scramble in the box from a corner, the ball drops to Burke on the edge and he absolutely rifles into the far corner!
GAME ON!#RoversInEurope | #UECL pic.twitter.com/7y2Ik0l7Hu— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 19, 2021
This was by no means a vintage Hoops performance, but it was one that emphasised their apparent quality.
And that strike from Burke proved to be the tonic for a much-improved Rovers performance, but it was not without its own concerns.
Shamrock Rovers Suffer Defeat Against Flora Tallinn
The Hoops were undone on the break once again, but Mannus was on hand to save from Sappinen who marauded down the pitch.
It was a massive save from the Northern Irish netminder who denied his impressive Estonian opponent after a mistimed interception from Roberto Lopes.
WHAT A SAVE! 🤯
Alan Mannus with a huge stop! ☘️#RoversInEurope | #UECL pic.twitter.com/Mf29kDuwVl— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 19, 2021
Bradley's charges were almost punished for some more sloppy play moments later, but Sappinen again could not convert after a deft touch from Vassijev.
But they would be punished for that slack defending with Sappinen netting his second of the night in the 76th minute of the game.
The 25-year-old fired home the rebound from an impromptu Zenjov shot, with the Hoops' defensive frailties laid bare.
Shamrock Rovers have been their own worst enemy this evening. A third very poor goal to concede.pic.twitter.com/0azMXrdzlj
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 19, 2021
Substitute Daniel Mandroiu then went close himself from with a low effort, but it would clip off the post and wide.
They did, however, nab a second thanks to a Liam Scales header, but they would be undone again shortly after.
LIAM SCALES! ☘️#RoversInEurope | #UECL pic.twitter.com/ESbUs8SxLS
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 19, 2021
Sean Hoare - who was part of a Shamrock Rovers back three who were exposed all night - was undone by Sappinen.
Sappinen would then lay the ball off to Miller, who slammed his effort home into the roof of the net, leaving Rovers with a mountain to climb.
Nightmare for Shamrock Rovers.
Graham Gartland was still describing Liam Scales' goal as Flora grabbed their fourth. #RoversInEurope | #UECL pic.twitter.com/ihnDBZmZ8k— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 19, 2021
It might not be all over, but they have it all to do next week. That goes without saying.
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