Motherwell

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• Motherwell are winless in six league meetings with Falkirk (D2 L4) since a 1-0 victory in October 2009.

• Falkirk have won each of their past three league visits to Motherwell, each by a different scoreline: 1-0 in April 2010, 2-1 in October 2025, and 3-2 in April 2026.

• Motherwell started their Scottish Premiership season with a 2-1 away win against Hibernian – they have not won their first two matches in a season since 2007-08 under Mark McGhee.

• Since a 1-0 home win over Motherwell in May, Falkirk have lost all four of their matches in the Premiership. Their last longer losing run came between May and August 2008 (five in a row).

• Motherwell's Lukas Fadinger has scored three goals in his past five Scottish Premiership appearances, two more than he managed in his first 30 appearances in the competition (1).

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland

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Defender Jake Girdwood-Reich is hopeful Motherwell can "finish off" their Conference League tie against HJK Helsinki in honour of their supporters.

The Australian defender arrived from MLS side St Louis City earlier this summer and has featured in all four of their games so far this term.

The 22-year-old was in the starting line-up for Thursday night's 1-1 draw against HJK in Finland and was blown away by the travelling support.

"The fans turned up and were unbelievable," the centre-back said.

"When we scored the goal there was a really good feeling and they were louder than HJK's fans. That's all we can ask and hopefully we can finish off this tie for them."

Girdwood-Reich joined the Steelmen shortly after the appointment of Alfred Johansson as the club's new manager.

He replaced head coach Jens Berthel Askou, who joined Toulouse, with big shoes to fill after the former boss guided Motherwell to a fourth place Premiership finish.

But the new manager is already impressing with an unbeaten record in their four games so far.

"I knew when I came here how the old manager played," Girdwood-Reich added.

"Johansson is just trying to add onto that. We play a risky style of football but that's why I cam here. I just want to improve and I think the manager is going to improve me as a player".

Motherwell fans, we asked for your views after Thursday's 1-1 draw with HJK Helsinki, in Finland, in the Conference League third qualifying round first leg tie.

Here's what some of you had to say:

James: Not a bad performance at all. The pitch looked poor. We looked good in possession but our weakened squad showed towards the end. Still, we're unbeaten, and have a great chance next week but let's take care of Falkirk first. We still really need an out and out goalscorer.

Gilbert: Brilliant result, can't wait for the home game should be a cracking game.

Alan: This is an excellent result and a fantastic building block for the next game. It is only half time but plenty to play for. It's particularly pleasing to see the manager giving the younger players time on the pitch and the whole approach by the manager (and players) is to be applauded.

James N: Another great result for the team. The manager is so confident and it brings out the best in the players. Onward to next week, let's get a great result

Gary: Great result but the job is only half done. We need a massive crowd at Fir Park to hopefully inspire the team to a massive tie against Freiburg. Alfred Johansson has made a great start.

David: It's a reflection of the game in Scotland that we hail a European draw in Finland. Let's take it though and ensure we do the business in the return leg at Fir Park. Freiburg await and with it great possibilities.

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bolt Arena, Helsinki

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Alfred Johansson had good reason to have a wee smile on his face in the press conference room at the Bolt Arena.

The Motherwell manager had just watched his side earn a 1-1 draw against HJK Helsinki in Finland - a more than credible result on the road.

But his grin at the end of his presser came because a local journalist used his one question to speak about the travelling supporters.

The 550-strong band of Steelmen supporters marched their way to the stadium, sung from the soles of their feet and then spilled onto the outskirts of the pitch when Tawanda Maswanhise scored from the penalty spot.

They made quite the impression on the locals, and Johansson couldn't have been more proud.

"We did it in the Faroes and now there are even more people here in Helsinki," the Swede said post-match.

"Being able to have that support, I mean, Fir Park is not the stadium in Scotland with the biggest attendance, the biggest amount of seats, but still, to have that many people from Motherwell come to Helsinki, it's massive for a club like us.

"It's massive for us in the dugout and it's absolutely massive for the players on the pitch.

"The energy they transmit to all of us, I think it's really difficult to measure that.

"You can't explain it. It's massive for us and I'm so proud to have that."

Former Celtic striker Teemu Pukki earned HJK Helsinki a draw at home to Motherwell in Conference League qualifying - but the Scottish Premiership side will be favourites to advance to a play-off against Freiburg.

Read the full match report here

Have your say on the game via this link

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Motherwell manager Alfred Johansson: "I think it was a good performance. I'm very, very proud of the players.

"I think we dug deep, I thought the young players who came on in the second half impacted the game. I think we played parts of the game at a high level.

"It was an unfortunate situation where we conceded a goal, it's a very experienced number nine they have, it can happen. I'm proud of the performance and I think we did a good job here [in Finland].

"The players started to be even more brave in their decision-making [in the second half]. It's mainly the players who decided to say "let's play". They were more aggressive in the press, which allows you to recover more balls higher up the pitch, which makes you feel more confident. The players turned up the heat a little bit and that was good to see.

"Home advantage is always a thing. To be able to play at Fir Park with all of our people in the stands, it's something to look forward to."

Amy Canavan
BBC Sport Scotland at Bolt Arena, Helsinki

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"It's just awesome."

Willy Vogt could have been talking about many things, but in this instance he was talking about the support for Motherwell in Helsinki.

The Steelmen have sold out their away allocation at the Bolt Arena for Thursday's Conference League third qualifying round tie against HJK, and Vogt insists he and his team-mates are determined to pay their fans back.

"It's incredible, it's not normal for that many people to travel in Europe," Vogt, who admits he displayed the best of himself in a Well shirt in the weekend win at Hibs, told BBC Sport Scotland.

"Every single away ticket sold out, some people trying to get some more, we have the whole support from the community," he added. "We want to give them back some good football, it's just awesome."

Brazil-born Vogt insisted Alfred Johansson - who he described as "calm" - has brought his side here

"We're very excited, it's the next opponent in our European adventure," the 24-year-old added. "They're a tough opponent, it's going to be hard, but we've come here to win.

"[The manager] is a very kind person, very calm, you feel it on and off the pitch. He speaks to everyone, he makes the whole group feel seen and appreciated and that is a really awesome quality in a trainer."

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Can Motherwell topple HJK Helsinki to set up a Conference League play-off against Freiburg?

Alfred Johnasson's reign has begun with three wins from three, with HB Torshavn dispatched 5-0 on aggregate before a 2-1 Premiership win at Hibs.

The Steelmen are in Helsinki for Thursday's first leg, and Scottish coach and analyst John Walker fully expects them to progress in the tie.

"I think probably in previous years Helsinki were a stronger team in Finland," he told the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"I don't think they're quite as strong as they previously were. I think they're probably well matched in positioning. They are probably the fourth-best team in Finland just now and I think Motherwell have got too much for this side.

"Motherwell have kind of continued on and are still riding that wave from last season.

"I think this is a good test. It's early in the season but Motherwell are one of the teams I'm fully expecting to go and take care of a team at Helsinki's level."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Jack Walton - Dundee United

Made several important stops as Dundee United matched Rangers at Tannadice.

Lewis Mayo - Aberdeen

Bundled a vital equaliser home as Aberdeen snatched three points at the death against Hearts.

Martin Moormann - Motherwell

An impressive defensive performance from the Austrian as Motherwell repelled Hibernian's second-half pressure.

Cheick Diabate - St Johnstone

A goal and another big showing from the St Johnstone centre-back as Simo Valakari's side edged a seven-goal thriller against Kilmarnock.

Henry Fieldson - St Mirren

The versatile signing from Queen's Park had a superb St Mirren league debut.

Kieran Tierney - Celtic

Felt like the Kieran Tierney of old. He swung in a sublime assist for Benjamin Nygren's winning goal.

Thelo Aasgaard - Rangers

A moment of real quality to equalise and repay the faith shown in him by manager Derek McInnes.

Killian Phillips - St Mirren

Energy personified. The Irish midfielder made all the difference, scoring twice, as St Mirren beat Falkirk on Saturday.

Jamie Gullan - St Johnstone

Full of guile in their Championship-winning season and normal service resumed in the swashbuckling win over Kilmarnock. Five key passes and two assists for the tricky wide man.

Ibrahim Said - Motherwell

His delight was clear to see as he finished off a fine Motherwell passing move to put Hibs to the sword at Easter Road.

Kevin Nisbet - Aberdeen

The Aberdeen captain thoroughly enjoyed his celebration as he handled the pressure of winning the match for Aberdeen from the penalty spot deep in added time.

Jenna Thomson
Fan writer

What a beautiful start to the season for the globe-trotting Steelmen.

Qualifying for the third round of the Conference League and winning at Easter Road is not an easy task yet we made it look relatively simple.

Beating HB Torshavn 5-0 across the two legs gave us the confidence boost needed to open the Premiership season with a hard-fought victory.

It may not have been box-office viewing for the full 90 minutes but you can definitely see our style of play is close to Jens Berthel Askou's without feeling like a cheap copy.

We are taking a slightly more aggressive approach under Alfred Johansson compared to the Askou era, which I am not complaining about.

Helsinki on Thursday will be a true test of our ability and character. It is a big jump in standard, however, a clean sheet could be key to our chances of progress.

To the travelling fans making the journey to Finland, I wish you all the best as you continue to show the world what it means to support the 'Well.

We asked for your views on Motherwell being drawn against Freiburg in the Conference League play-offs, should Alfred Johansson's men overcome HJK Helsinki.

Here's what some of you said:

James: Going to be very difficult to reach the league stage but not impossible. Give this team a few more games to gel together and some of our experienced players to recover from injury and who knows how good this group can be.

Derek: A great glamour fixture for us in Europe should we overcome Helsinki, a great incentive to get through the game now. Very pleased with the draw and a chance to take on a club from one of Europe's big five leagues.

James W: A real toughie. We have to get past Helsinki first but I've looked at Freiburg's history, a tall order for us. Recently beaten by Aston Villa in the final, so a strong pedigree. Onwards and upwards!

Nick: Will be a really tough ask to get by both games. Will need to be at our best and hope for bit of luck.

James N: A tough game against Helsinki on Thursday and in the return leg and then Freiburg but if we want to build our success then we need to face these teams with confidence.

David: If nothing else playing Freiburg will be a money spinner, should we get past Helsinki, and an easier option for fans to travel to. Fingers crossed we can overcome Helsinki.

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HJK warmed up for the first leg of their Conference League third qualifying round tie against Motherwell with a 3-0 league defeat by SJK.

The Helsinki outfit rested several key players - including former Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki - as head coach Joonas Rantanen retained only three players from their win over Coleraine in their previous European outing.

After a goalless first half, HJK shipped three goals in 10 second half minutes and now trail top flight leaders KuPS by 11 points.

The first leg is in Finland on Thursday (17:00) before the return leg at Fir Park on 13 August (19:30).

Clive Lindsay
BBC Sport Scotland

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Last season's Europa League finalists Freiburg are probably the last team Motherwell wanted to see being picked out the pot in Monday's Conference League play-off draw.

The Fir Park side have to defeat HJK Helsinki first, but whoever wins between they and the Finns will be underdogs to progress to the league stage.

Alfred Johansson's side did avoid Atalanta of Italy and the winner of the tie between Greek side Panathinaikos and Bulgaria's CSKA.

And, with Austria's Rapid Vienna likely to progress against Paide Linnameeskond of Estonia and St Gallen of Switzerland probably favourites against Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova, there was unlikely to be an easy tie.

But Freiburg showed their pedigree in only their seventh European campaign as they finished seventh in the Europa League before beating Genk, Celta Vigo and Braga to reach the final, where they lost 3-0 to a John McGinn-inspired Aston Villa.

Former Freiburg midfielder Julian Schuster's side qualified directly to the Conference League play-off round this season courtesy of their seventh-place finish in the Bundesliga.

There are not many household names in his squad, but centre-backs Matthias Ginter, formerly of Borussia Dortmund, and Philipp Lienhart have caps for Germany and Austria respectively.

Goalkeeper Mio Backhaus has, though, been signed for a reported £10.3m from Werder Bremen and striker Keisuke Goto from Anderlecht for £8.6m - the kind of transfer fees Motherwell can only dream of.

Meanwhile, Thursday's opponents, HJK, are in action on Monday against SJK in the Veikkausliiga, where they sit fourth after 18 games, as they seek a fifth consecutive win after beating Northern Ireland's Coleraine 3-0 on Thursday for an 8-0 aggregate score.

We asked for your views after Motherwell snatched a dramatic opening-day Scottish Premiership win at Hibernian on Sunday.

Here's what some of you had to say:

Mark: An excellent result on our opening league match. Had to dig in during the second half but we dealt with everything they threw at us. Martin Moorman in particular was outstanding in defence. Once we sort out the few mistakes at the back we'll be as close to last season as we can be. Promising times ahead!

Ross: We'd already seen hints that Alfred Johansson was going to continue Jens Berthel Askou's brilliant work of last season, and today's performance and result reinforces that. It's very encouraging! Now please let's keep going in Europe and really build some strong momentum.

George: The manager has successfully maintained a great team spirit and we showed a willingness to fight for the points. Moorman was outstanding in defence once again and could turn out to be our best signing this season.

James: Not our best performance, but a great result. Gave the ball away too much, and should have had the game wrapped up before they scored. But we will take it, and the winner was phenomenal

Stuart: A really good result, especially when you think of our European trip. Although we had to ride a bit of a storm, we could have easily been two up before Hibs scored.

Motherwell have been given another tough potential tie should they defeat Finland's HJK Helsinki after being drawn against last season's Europa League finalists Freiburg in the Conference League play-offs.

Alfred Johansson's side will play the first leg at home on 20 August should they progress, with the return the following Thursday.

What do you think of the draw and how do you rate Motherwell's chances of reaching the league stage?

Give us your thoughts.

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Lukas Fadinger hailed Motherwell's "amazing" winning goal against Hibernian as an example that they are sticking close to last season's successful template despite a change in management.

The midfielder had slotted the visitors ahead from the penalty spot in their first game of the new Scottish Premiership season before watching admiringly as Ibrahim Said restored the advantage to finish off a sweeping counter-attack.

"I think the second goal was amazing," the 25-year-old Austrian told BBC Scotland. "There's always the belief because I know how we performed last year.

"We had so many changes. A lot of key players left us, new players came in.

"I think, all in all, we are really pleased with the performance and I'm really proud of the whole team."

Jens Berthel Askou moved to Toulouse this summer after leading Motherwell to a fourth-place finish, with Alfred Johansson his replacement.

"I think we stick to our principles and it's not a real quick change," Fadinger suggested.

"I think we did really well. The way we play, the style we play, it's not a big difference from last year."

Having eased to a 5-0 aggregate win over HB Torshavn of the Faroe Islands, Fadinger expects a tougher challenge when Motherwell next visit HJK Helsinki in Conference League qualifying on Thursday.

"I think all the Scandinavians are really good on the ball," he added. I think they will be good as well.

"It will be a tough battle again, but I think we have really good chances to compete. For sure. They are for sure better."