Keith Treacy is optimistic that Derry City can hold onto their first-leg advantage when they face KuPS tonight in Finland.
The Candystripes were the only League of Ireland side to win their Europa Conference League second qualifying round first leg last week - Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers suffering defeats in their respective games - after coming from behind to beat KuPS 2-1 at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Ruaidhri Higgins' side may be protecting a slender lead but the manager has promised that Derry will not look to sit back tonight given that, in his view, defensive tactics do not suit the squad he has available.
Speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, former Republic of Ireland midfielder Treacy said he was impressed by their second-half approach last week and felt that that if they had capitalised more on the many chances created, could have taken a more comfortable advantage to the Finnish city of Kuopio.
"Derry have seen KuPS now and KuPS are not a bad team, they're decent and will move the ball but what they did well is they attacked quickly with pace down the wings and Derry for the most part were able to deal with it but they can't afford another 45 minutes of that slow start," Treacy said of his conclusions from the first leg.
"If they start with the intensity that they started the second half, Derry will be absolutely fine in that tie.
"But anything short of a nines out of ten from everybody, then KuPS will come back into the game.
"But I have a lot of hope that Derry can get it done in the second leg. Especially with the second leg being in Finland, you would be a little bit nervous but I think Derry have enough just to get over the line."
Also speaking on the podcast, former St Patrick's Athletic midfielder Conan Byrne felt that the optimism is fueled by the recent return of key players from injury like Patrick McEleney, Mark Connolly, Michael Duffy and Will Patching.
"Now they're all back, they've got a magnificent run and the confidence should be high," he said.
"You do have to be cautious in the opening 30-35 minutes of the game, you don't want to concede because like Dundalk the other night, they conceded two quickfire goals just before half-time (at KA) so it can happen.
"And the way these European teams can counter-attack is frightening. We're not used to it so you do need to be compact.
"Just have that low block, allow the pressure to come on because you have those players like Brandon Kavanagh, Michael Duffy, Patrick McEleney and the pace of (Jamie) McGonigle up front as well to cause some problems.
"I think they're in a very good position, so I'm optimistic about them."
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