Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin has challenged his players to deliver a high five in Thursday night's Europa Conference League shootout with DAC at Solitude (8pm).
The Reds trail 2-1 after last week’s first leg in Slovakia and nothing more than a win will help the North Belfast club progress to the next round.
In 19 previous home ties in European competition dating back to 1979, Cliftonville have secured four wins, the last coming against Barry Town in the Europa League in 2019.
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Chasing a fifth this evening, McLaughlin said: “To come away with a 2-1 defeat after the first leg wasn’t the worst scoreline and it sets up a big game at Solitude.
“DAC have so much quality and are a very technically gifted side, but I was very proud of our players over there. We were really disciplined and worked so hard.
“We also created a couple of chances and might even have scored an equaliser late on, but to come away with a 2-1 defeat wasn’t the worst.”
Newly appointed DAC boss Adrian Gula has warned Cliftonville they’ll see a better version of his team in the return leg in North Belfast.
He said: “It was my first match as manager and from my point of view there were things that were not good. We appreciate the victory, but we know how to play better.”
DAC captain Diminik Kruzliak claimed the narrow margin of victory didn’t reflect last week's tie which saw the Slovakian side lose Brahim Moumou to an 82nd minute red card.
“We didn't make the most of several chances and it's a shame,” said Kruzliak. “We could have won by a bigger margin, but even winning by a goal counts.
“The opponent had two chances and scored a goal from one. In the second half, we created a lot of pressure, but we couldn't push it there.
“Nevertheless, we are in a good position and I believe we can do it in the return leg."
The winners of Thursday night's tie will progress to face Vikingur (Faroe Islands) or Europa (Gibraltar) in the second qualifying round of the competition.
Elsewhere in the Europa Conference League, Crusaders will bid to overturn a 2-1 deficit to Bruno's Magpies of Gibraltar while Larne and St Joseph's are scoreless after last week's first leg in Gibraltar.
TONIGHT'S TIES: Larne v St Joseph's (7.45pm); Cliftonville v DAC (8pm); Crusaders v Bruno's Magpies (8pm).
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