Nations League | Who are Northern Ireland’s opponents in Group C3?
Luxembourg will be top seeds in League C3
Northern Ireland has been drawn against Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Belarus in Group C3 of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League, but what can Michael O’Neill’s side expect from their opponents?
Graham Luney takes a look...
FIFA Ranking: 83
Past Meetings: This will be the first time Northern Ireland have faced Luxembourg since a 3-1 friendly win in March 2022, with goals from Josh Magennis, Steven Davis and Gavin Whyte, but, remarkably, will be a first competitive meeting with the minnows since a World Cup qualifier in September 2003.
Manager: Luc Holtz
Main Man: Gerson Rodrigues is a striker with Slovan Bratislava, on loan from Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv. Born in Portugal, he became the first Luxembourg footballer to play in the group stage of the Champions League. He is currently the all-time leading goal scorer for the Luxembourg national team with 20 goals.
Prospects: Luxembourg punch above their weight given the size of their nation. The top seeds will not be underestimated but O’Neill is relieved to have avoided Sweden and Romania. Despite being hammered 9-0 by Portugal last year, Luxembourg have recorded some impressive wins and are improving.
FIFA Ranking: 81
Past Meetings: The most recent encounter with the Bulgarians was in Sofia in October 2021 when Conor Washington scored in a 2-1 defeat in a World Cup qualifier. Northern Ireland haven’t beaten Bulgaria in their last five meetings stretching back to 2001, with their last win over their opponents coming back in 1979 when Chris Nicholl and Gerry Armstrong earned them a 2-0 victory at Windsor Park.
Manager: Ilian Dimov Iliev
Main Man: Captain Kiril Despodov primarily plays as a winger for Greek Super League side PAOK.
Prospects:
Read on belfasttelegraph.co.uk
