Caernarfon 'embrace' underdog tag against Legia

Caernarfon players celebrate their 2-0 first qualifying round, first leg win over Crusaders

Caernarfon Town manager Richard Davies says his side will thrive being the underdogs once more when they face Polish giants Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

The Cymru Premier side are away to Legia in the first leg of the second qualifying round after overcoming Crusaders of Northern Ireland on penalties in the previous round.

“It’s suited us over the years to do that - people not giving us a chance,” Davies told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast.

“It’s something that we’ll embrace.

“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge but one we’re going to embrace and enjoy the experience more than anything

“I’m sure the players will give everything that they’ve got for the shirt.

“We’re putting little old Caernarfon on the map and it’s a proud moment more than anything.

“It feels a bit surreal if I’m honest.”

Caernarfon’s players trained at Legia’s near 32,000 capacity Polish Army Stadium on Wednesday evening.

However, the game will be played behind closed doors after Uefa sanctioned the Polish club for crowd trouble.

Davies has described the decision as “unfair” on Caernarfon fans, who will be denied the chance to see their side against the 15-times Polish champions.

“I think you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Davies said when asked of his approach to the game.

“We won’t change anything from what we do normally.

“Obviously with the opposition being of such high quality we’ve got to give them that respect and have a game plan that’s going to work for us and get us hopefully some kind of result.”

Caernarfon are hopeful they will be able to play the home leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier at Bangor’s Nantporth.

Legia fans have been banned by Uefa from attending five away games in European competition following trouble at their match against Aston Villa last season.

The club are in discussions with North Wales Police, FAW and the local authority on final details of where the game next Thursday will be played.

“There’s a few safety issues because although the away fans are banned they might try to get in,” Caernarfon chairman Paul Evans said.

“We hope they won’t but they haven’t got a good record really.

“We’re hoping it will be in Nantporth.”