Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch is eyeing Thursday's Uefa Conference League second qualifying round first leg against HNK Rijeka as a 'great experience' for his side. The match will see Derry take on a technically gifted team that finished fourth in their domestic league last season and reached the Conference League league phase last year.
HNK Rijeka boasts a few high-profile players, including Toni Fruk, who recently returned from the World Cup with the Croatian national team. Lynch acknowledges that the Croatian outfit's possession-based style of play will provide a tough test for his team.
Despite the challenges, Lynch is focusing on the positives. He believes that playing against a team of HNK Rijeka's calibre will allow his side to test themselves and gain valuable experience.
The match comes after Derry City's Europa League qualifying hopes were dashed by CSKA Sofia. However, Lynch is looking to put that disappointment behind them and use the experience to build towards their opening Conference League qualifying game.