Recap
Shkëndija have established themselves as a disciplined and defensively compact side on home soil during the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, remaining unbeaten in three matches, all of which finished under 2.5 goals. They collected seven points in Skopje with an impressive 4:1 goal difference and qualification for the knockout phase represents a historic achievement both for the club and for football in North Macedonia.
Although the Arena Todor Proeski is not their regular domestic venue, Shkëndija consistently enjoy strong support there in decisive European fixtures, reflected in a notable record of eight victories from their last twelve continental home matches. Domestically, however, they face a more challenging scenario, currently sitting six points behind the unbeaten Vardar and likely to encounter difficulties in defending last season’s title. Their task is further complicated by suspensions to two important players – Latifi (16/3) and Trumci (13/0).
Meanwhile, Samsunspor arrive amid managerial turbulence. In early December, following the club’s progression to the Conference League knockout stage, chairman Yüksel Yıldırım publicly expressed his intention to retain coach Thomas Reis on a long-term basis. However, after a 3-1 defeat away to Antalyaspor on Friday, Reis was dismissed and immediately replaced by compatriot Thorsten Fink, the former midfielder of Bayern Munich. Fink’s primary objective will be to restore confidence and attacking efficiency, as the team enters this fixture on the back of two consecutive league defeats and a concerning return of just three goals in their last nine matches. Several absences remain, though all are long-term and already factored into the squad structure.
With temperatures in Skopje expected to hover around freezing at kickoff, a cautious tactical approach from both sides appears likely in this first-leg encounter, with defensive organization and risk management expected to take precedence.