Valletta make their long-awaited return to European football on Thursday evening when they take on Polish side Raków Częstochowa in the first leg of their UEFA Conference League second qualifying round tie.

The match at the Municipal Sport Stadium “Raków” in Częstochowa kicks off at 18:30 Malta time, with the return leg set to be played at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali on 30 July.

It marks Valletta’s first appearance in European competition since the 2020/21 campaign, when they were eliminated by Welsh side Bala Town in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League. The Citizens secured their return to continental action after lifting last season’s Meridianbet FA Trophy.

However, they face one of the toughest possible tests against a Raków side that has established itself among Poland’s leading clubs in recent years. The 2023 Ekstraklasa champions have gained valuable European experience and enjoyed an impressive UEFA Conference League campaign last season, reaching the knockout play-off round before eventually losing 4-2 on aggregate to Italian side Fiorentina.

Raków also head into the tie in excellent domestic form, having finished last season strongly with consecutive league victories over Piast Gliwice and Arka Gdynia.

For Valletta, the priority will be to remain organised and disciplined throughout the first leg. The Maltese side are expected to spend long periods without possession, making defensive concentration essential while looking to exploit opportunities on the counter-attack and from set-pieces.

The Citizens have historically found European success difficult to come by, winning only eight ties in UEFA competitions, with most of those victories coming against clubs from smaller footballing nations. Against a side of Raków’s calibre, Valletta will be hoping to keep the tie alive ahead of next week’s return leg in Malta.

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, with Raków entering the tie as clear favourites. Nevertheless, Valletta will be aiming to produce a disciplined performance in Poland and give themselves a fighting chance of causing an upset on home soil.