Latest news with #UNAStrassen
Daily Record
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Iurie Iovu knows where Dundee United priorities lie as he parks assault on Europe for Premiership opener
The Moldova international was the hero for Jim Goodwin's men in midweek Iurie Iovu insists the only Rapid that Dundee United are focused on is their Premiership start at Falkirk. Jim Goodwin 's side face Rapid Vienna next week in the Conference League but before then they are looking for a winning start in the league at the Bairns tomorrow. Iovu knows his new team came unstuck there in the Premier Sports Cup last season but will go with confidence after back-to-back wins over UNA Strassen. The Moldovan, who scored the only goal in Luxembourg on Thursday night, said: 'We need to focus on each match. We have a busy schedule, and we cannot think about too far in the future. 'Our thoughts are on the next game, playing well against Falkirk, to listen to the coach and prepare well for a hard match. 'When you are the favourite against a team coming up from the lower division, they want to show themselves and will give more than 100 per cent so we need to be ready for this and not underestimate them.' Falkirk have an artificial pitch but that is not something that will faze the big defender. He said: 'I have played on artificial grass in my career and it cannot be an excuse. It is the same pitch for all 22 players. It doesn't matter.' Game On - Rangers' Champions League chances | Celtic's transfer activity | Premiership surprises The summer signing became an instant hero with his goal against UNA Strassen to give United their first win on European soil for 28 years. Iovu, told of his achievement, said: 'Really? Very nice, I did not know this. I am very excited to score my first goal after such a good cross from Zac (Sapsford). 'It was very special for me, it always is when your fans come away from home and make such a long journey to support the team. 'We must always give 100 per cent and show we are thankful for their time and effort to come here. But I am staying positive, trying to push and already thinking about the next game. 'We don't have time to analyse this too much, we need to improve and play well in the next game.' With two big European ties to come against Rapid, Iovu knows his team will need to up their game from Strassen but will go out to upset the odds. He added: 'We need to control the ball more and be cooler in possession. 'Rapid Vienna is a good team, I am delighted to have the chance to play against them. Anything can happen. 'There are lots of examples of smaller teams upsetting bigger teams, you never know. If you can show your qualities and give your maximum, all the possibilities are there.'
BBC News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Painful watch' but 'job done' as Utd progress
We asked for your views on Dundee United's 1-0 win away to UNA Strassen that completed a 2-0 aggregate victory and set up a Conference League third-round qualifier against Rapid Vienna. Here's what some of you said: Russ: Untidy and slow on the ball, communication seemed to be missing. United will need to get better over the next few matches. The bench was very light too, hopefully Kristijan Trapanovski injury is short Hard work over the two legs. Need a few more additions going forward, and in midfield, if not it could be a long Great result but poor performance. Our clean sheet was more due to bad finishing rather than tight defending. Too many crosses coming in, too much space in midfield. We need to improve quickly to get a good start in the A very painful, tedious watch. Job done at the end of the day, but the midfield looks an absolute shambles. Too much space, no link-up, no creativity. Will take a miracle to keep the score down in Glad we won. The game was dire, very similar to last week. Our defence looks pretty solid but that's about it. Really think we're going to struggle this season. Nothing inspiring at the moment, but I really hope things improve, and Well done team, great result and two clean sheets. On to the first league game and a tricky tie in Vienna. Plenty of work to do to improve and the players to gel.
Daily Record
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Jim Goodwin aims to strengthen Dundee United squad as injury blues hit after Euro win
United claimed their first away win in Europe in 28 years against UNA Strassen to book a mouthwatering third round qualifying clash Jim Goodwin is looking to strengthen his Dundee United squad further as Kristijan Trapanovski looks set to be added to his growing injury list. United claimed their first away win in Europe in 28 years against UNA Strassen to book a mouthwatering third round qualifying clash with Rapid Vienna. Trapanovski limped off with another hamstring injury and it doesn't look good and he is added to the likes of Ross Graham and Ryan Strain who also missed the game in Luxembourg. Goodwin confirmed: 'We don't need another injury. He's tried to sprint for the ball over the top and felt his hamstring. 'We're hoping it's nothing serious. You could see how depleted the squad were. Now he's got a knock. 'Hopefully, it's nothing serious but it does limit our options. 'There's lots of time left in the window. 'Given the injuries we have it goes to show the good work we've done to be without seven first team players and still be able to field a team that's competitive in both legs and has got us through. 'That's credit to the guys who have done the recruitment but we're continually looking to add quality.' Falkirk are next up for United on Sunday before they prepare for their Europa Conference League first leg in Austria next week. Goodwin is already aware of the massive challenge his side face to make the play-off round. He is looking for big improvements as his squad, which has seen 11 new arrivals, begins to gel. He admitted: 'It's a huge game. We know the level of quality they have got. 'They sold a player for 10 million euros. 'They have really good young talent in their squad and we know it'll be extremely difficult. 'It's an exciting one but we need to improve on what we've done against Strassen. 'There are elements we have to get better at and that has to happen quickly because better opposition will punish you for the mistakes but I can't be too critical as it's still a new group.' Rangers and Aberdeen have both slipped up in Luxembourg in recent seasons and so Goodwin was pleased to come through unscathed with two wins against UNA Strassen. It was their first away win since 1997 when they beat Principat. He stated: 'We're delighted with the result. 'There were elements we need to do better, but credit Strassen over the two legs. 'They looked really well coached, have good players and are no mugs. 'Sometimes you can underestimate the opposition given the size of the country and people can be dismissive but we weren't in our preparations. 'It's always very difficult to come away from home in any game, nevermind in Europe. 'It's the first time anyone here has been in this situation so a lot of players will take great credit. 'I'm also led to believe it's the first time in nearly 30 years Dundee United have won away in Europe for the first time but we won't get carried away.' United's new boys might be finding their feet but the defence is providing the perfect platform. They haven't lost a goal in pre-season or in their first two competitive games. Goodwin proudly added: 'Defensively was a big part of our game last season and it will be this season. 'This back three haven't conceded a goal all pre-season which is credit to them. It gives you a good foundation but we need to be better in possession. 'We didn't do ourselves justice at times but when we relaxed and showed composure we looked a decent team. 'Getting the goal we were able to come off the game a bit. 'We've got an eye on the game against Falkirk and we were able to try and rest our legs for the last 20 minutes. 'I think we deserved it.' The United goal here was Iurie Iovu who netted from a Zac Sapsford free kick. Goodwin stated: 'We've got good delivery coming in and a great aerial presence. 'It was a fantastic delivery from Zac. 'That's a goal and assist from him, big Iurie made it look a lot easier than it was. 'We've got an exciting fixture to look forward to. 'Hopefully, the fans can raid their piggy banks again to follow us to Vienna.'
Powys County Times
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Jim Goodwin expects more from Dundee United after European progression
Jim Goodwin admits improvement is required after Dundee United's 1-0 win over UNA Strassen took them through to the Conference League third qualifier with a 2-0 aggregate victory. The Taysiders were unconvincing in Luxembourg but a header in the 64th minute from their Moldova international Iurie Iovu proved decisive and set up a third round qualifier against Rapid Vienna, following the Austrian side's victory over Decic. Tannadice boss Goodwin was not fooled by what was an historic result, the first away from home in Europe since 1997. He told BBC Scotland: 'I didn't realise it had been nearly 30 years since we won away from home in Europe. 'It's a great result for this new group of players. Any game away from home in Europe is extremely difficult, there are no easy ties. 'On paper people would have looked at the game and thought it should be straightforward but Strassen were technically very good. 'They're no mugs so we're delighted with the result and clean sheet but we know we have to improve. We were really untidy on the ball, maybe that was a case of nerves. 'Over the two ties I don't think anybody could argue we deserved to go through. 'Neither performance was perfect, we've got a lot to learn and we need to do it quickly. 'There are definitely things we need to brush up on. We were very untidy on the ball. 'When we did play and pass the ball quickly we got into dangerous areas but [Yevhenii] Kucherenko, over the two legs, has had very little to do.'
STV News
31-07-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Jim Goodwin expects more from Dundee United after European progression
Jim Goodwin admits improvement is required after Dundee United's 1-0 win over UNA Strassen took them through to the Conference League third qualifier with a 2-0 aggregate victory. The Taysiders were unconvincing in Luxembourg but a header in the 64th minute from their Moldova international Iurie Iovu proved decisive and set up a third round qualifier against Rapid Vienna, following the Austrian side's victory over Decic. Tannadice boss Goodwin was not fooled by what was an historic result, the first away from home in Europe since 1997. He told BBC Scotland: 'I didn't realise it had been nearly 30 years since we won away from home in Europe. 'It's a great result for this new group of players. Any game away from home in Europe is extremely difficult, there are no easy ties. 'On paper people would have looked at the game and thought it should be straightforward but Strassen were technically very good. 'They're no mugs so we're delighted with the result and clean sheet but we know we have to improve. We were really untidy on the ball, maybe that was a case of nerves. 'Over the two ties I don't think anybody could argue we deserved to go through. 'Neither performance was perfect, we've got a lot to learn and we need to do it quickly. 'There are definitely things we need to brush up on. We were very untidy on the ball. 'When we did play and pass the ball quickly we got into dangerous areas but [Yevhenii] Kucherenko, over the two legs, has had very little to do.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
