Shamrock Rovers will look to keep alive their hopes of European group stage football as they take on KF Egnatia in the Europa League third round qualifying at Tallaght Stadium on Tuesday. The Hoops dropped down to the Europa League after a disappointing second-half performance at home saw them lose to Armenian side Ararat-Armenia in the Champions League qualifiers. Trailing 2-0 from the first leg in Armenia, Rovers produced a wonderful first 45 minutes in the second leg to level the tie up as 2-2 by half-time, but they were unable to build on that and a 73rd-minute goal by Brazilian striker Sandro Lima saw them drop down a tier. A win for Rovers would move them into the Europa League play-off round for a match against Lillestrom of Norway, a prize that also guarantees participation in the group stages of the Conference League. With a minimum of €3.8million on offer for third tier competition as opposed to €4.84m in the Europa League, the financial incentives are huge for the Hoops. Rovers have a tricky tie against Egnatia before they can start looking ahead however and while the Albanian side may be unknown to most Irish supporters, they've been making a mark in Europe in recent years. The reigning domestic champions are enjoying the most successful spell in the club’s history. Having spent most of their 91-year existence outside of the top flight, they gained promotion to the Kategoria Superiore in 2021 and haven’t looked back since, winning the league title for the last three years. The next stage for Egnatia would be progressing past the qualifying stage in Europe, having gone closest to doing so last year when they exited the Conference League at the third-round qualifying stage. This is Egnatia’s fourth consecutive season in Europe and they’ve shown improvements each term, drawing 5-5 on aggregate with NK Celje in the Champions League qualifiers before losing on penalties to set up this tie. Manager Nevil Dede likes to play an aggressive, attacking brand of football at home, relying on a more counter-attacking style in away games. While they’ve had defensive issues, they have no problems in front of goal, scoring 12 times in their four European games so far this term. Rovers boss Stephen Bradley sees plenty to like about the way Dede sets up his side and warned that his players will be facing their toughest European game yet. "They play a very similar system to us," Bradley said. "I think out of the three teams we’ve played so far in Europe, I think they’re the best team. "They’re a very attacking team, have scored a lot of goals in their previous games (six in their first Champions League qualifying round and five over the two legs against Celje in the second round). They’re a very dangerous team. "I’ve spoken to Leon Pohls who’s playing over there, what Leon said is what we’ve seen. Egnatia are a very good team." Bradley has no new injury or suspension concerns but long-term absentees Dan Cleary, Danny Grant and Victor Ozhianvuna remain sidelined while the away leg comes too early for John McGovern and Connor Malley, who could be back for the return game in Tallaght. The Rovers boss will be able to call on new signing Will Fitzgerald, who was added to their European squad after joining from Sligo Rovers last week and made his debut in Friday’s league draw away to Drogheda. Pico Lopes was sent-off in the dying minutes of that 0-0 stalemate with Drogheda but is available as his suspension will be served domestically. Shamrock Rovers are currently 1st in the Premier Division, 51 points from 26 games, with a recent form of DWWDW. They have scored 40 goals and conceded 22 this season, with a +18 goal difference. They are 7 points clear of St Patrick's Athl. and have a next fixture against Egnatia Rrogozhinë on August 13th.