Following the dismal start of zero wins and six losses in Europe from the rest of the Luxembourgish representatives in the qualifiers of the Champions League and the Conference League, it is now UNA Strassen’s turn to try and make the country proud with a pair of solid performances.

Expectations have to be realistic towards the ambitious up-and-coming big boys in Luxembourg, regardless of their sizable outlay on new signings in the past two years. This edition marks only their second-ever appearance on the continental stage, and their draws were fairly unlucky both times so far.
 
Last year, Strassen were awarded a European spot at the green table after Swift Hesperange and Jeunesse Esch were denied their respective UEFA licenses, allowing UNA to slip in through the backdoor and keep a commendable draw against Kuopio in the first round, before suffering a heavy loss in the second leg.
 
This time around, their opponents are Scottish heavyweights Dundee United, with a stadium capable to host just under 15,000 spectators, expecting to be filled with passionate “Arabs” (the fans’ unofficial nickname in Scotland) as they prepare for their return to European adventures after three years.
 
However, Arno Bonvini and his scouting department came prepared for this second attempt at causing an upset. Revitalised by the signings of former Luxembourg international Tim Hall and prolific Wiltz marksman Benjamin Romeyns among others, the squad has gone from strength to strength since those forgettable memories from Finland in 2024.
 
The team’s top scorer and one of the most experienced European participants feels the squad has been given adequate preparation time. “Our preparation has been very good, we have a great team of coaches. We had 30 days to be able to arrive in good shape for this first challenge and to endure the entire season of games,” Matheus Souza explains.
 
Hitting the ground running will indeed be of prime importance for the team who look set to capitalise on a crumbling Swift Hesperange and a F91 Dudelange side in the middle of a transformation period that could last years. Differdange reign on top of the table might last for years to come, but some in central Luxembourg think differently.
 
“We want to make history with the club and compete for titles,” Matheus exclaims. “We know it won't be easy. All the teams are getting stronger, but we believe it is possible with a lot of hard work. New players are arriving and they are adapting well to help us this season.”
 
Starting the season earlier than some of their direct rivals near the top of the table might also be favouring Strassen, who will undoubtedly find themselves in peak physical condition by the time the domestic season kicks off in August. Transfer dealings are also largely finished and the squad seems ready-made for a year of constant workload – and a genuine push for silverware.
 
Meanwhile, those who have started their European campaigns before Strassen this year also paint an alarming picture of their own prospects for the months ahead. Dudelange’s struggle was clear for all to see, achieving the polar opposite of their comfortable success against the same opponents in July 2024. Differdange have also found it hard to find their footing under new manager Pedro Silva.
 
UNA, on the other hand, might find themselves in a similar position to that of Racing Luxembourg. Admirable progress on the pitch was met with vigilant efforts to strengthen the team accordingly off it, but the gap to professional football was too broad to bridge.
 
The above conditions contributed to Luxembourg combining for the worst record of any UEFA nation following the first round of qualifiers, trailing the likes of San Marino and Gibraltar. Despite the gloomy recent past, Matheus looks ahead. “That's how football is decided  - in the details,” he says. “Everyone involved in football here should use these results to see what can be improved and grown. But I personally believe in the potential I see here and I know it will get even better.”
 
Matheus arrived in the Grand Duchy last summer after two years of roaring success in a comparable environment, in Malta. While Luxembourgish teams have enjoyed more success against the continent’s elite in recent times, the Brazilian striker sees no major difference between the two leagues in terms of quality and style. “I can say with confidence that the level of football here in Luxembourg is good. We have great coaches, players, and players, they just often don't get the recognition and visibility they deserve. Football today is very similar everywhere. I don't see any difference between it and the Maltese league and others I've seen.”
 
Changing the current landscape and gaining some of that much-desired recognition is inevitably down to the teams’ performances in the spotlight. Whether Strassen can overachieve by getting one over favourites Dundee, just like Niederkorn did by defeating Rangers in 2017, remains to be seen.
 
Whatever happens on the pitch on Thursday evening in Scotland, Matheus and his team will have done everything to salvage Luxembourg’s pride in the next eight days. “I can tell you that we know it will be a very difficult game... But we are confident in our work and in executing what we have to do to come out of this challenge with our goal.”