Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch views Thursday's UEFA Conference League second qualifying round first leg against HNK Rijeka as a "great experience" for his side. The match kicks off at 19:45 BST.

Lynch's team entered this round after losing 5-3 on aggregate to CSKA Sofia in the Europa League first qualifying round. The second leg at the Brandywell was marred by crowd trouble between rival supporters, forcing a temporary stoppage and police deployment. Despite the defeat and disturbances, Lynch praised the atmosphere, calling it "utterly electric" and the "best night I've had in the Brandywell."

UEFA has since handed Derry a suspended partial stadium closure for a probationary period of two years and a 20,000 euro (£17,000) fine. CSKA Sofia received a ban on bringing away fans to their next European fixture plus a suspended one-game sanction. Lynch lamented that the tie will be remembered for crowd trouble rather than football, noting his own family was in the crowd and found it "scary."