 David Jeffrey says Elgsborg are firm favourites |
Linfield manager David Jeffrey praised the "first-class workrate, effort and commitment" of his players in Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Elfsborg at Windsor Park. "We played well in the first 20 minutes and gave as good as we got but then they exposed us when we made mistakes.
"We were in the ascendancy after the break. Jamie Mulgrew had a header and Peter Thompson was unfortunate while Alan Mannus didn't have a save to make.
"The tie is still alive but they will be hot favourites," said Jeffrey.
The Blues boss said his players "passed it about well" in the first period but urged his side to cut out their mistakes at half-time.
"I said to the players that if we were going to concede a goal, we should make them work hard for it and make them try really hard to carve out chances.
"I didn't want us to make it easy for them by giving the ball away cheaply in bad areas, as we were doing in the first half.
"All 18 players performed well and I am very proud of them."
"We had a little bit of good fortune in the first half but there is a long way to go in the tie although they will be favourites without a doubt.
"They are a class act, a quality side who will expect to play in the group stages of the Champions League but you never know.
"The tie is still alive and we are not going there just to keep our pride intact."
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