Linfield vs Qarabag: Blues on verge of Europa League Group Stage

Linfield take on Qarabag in Azerbaijan on Thursday evening knowing that they are potentially 90 minutes away from securing a place in the Group Stages of the Europa League.

The Blues stunned the visitors last week with a superb 3-2 win at Windsor Park in the first leg. Shayne Lavery stole the show with a brace, after defender Mark Stafford had opened the scoring with a header.

"When you play for Linfield, it history is all you hear about, it's all you see. When you read the match programme or go to a function, we always talk about the players who have been before. But it's all about us now and we want to write our own bit of history," said Stafford.

The centre-back's ambition has matched that of his manager, David Healy, who's rejected the idea that Linfield won't play under any pressure.

"I don't like coaches or managers who say, 'we have nothing to lose.' We do. There is something to lose. We've got the possibility of the Europa League. We've got that to lose," said Healy.

Progress would mark a step into uncharted territory for an Irish League club, and also secure a cash windfall of £4m.