Motherwell head coach Alfred Johansson has delivered a vivid message to his squad ahead of Thursday’s UEFA Conference League second qualifying round second leg away to HB Torshavn: “go home and eat some barbed wire” and get ready for a battle.
The Fir Park side travel to the Faroe Islands with a 2-0 first-leg lead after what Johansson described as a commanding performance at home last week, but the Swede insists the tie is far from settled given HB’s formidable European record in Torshavn.
Speaking before the trip, Johansson warned that assuming a comfortable night would be a mistake, pointing to HB’s ability to frustrate visitors on their own ground.
“You have to respect the team that we’re going to play and you’re going to have to respect the place where we’re going to play,” Johansson said.
“In 10 years, I believe they’ve lost twice at home in European qualification. The last five years, they lost zero times at home, in European qualification, and that includes Brondby… Maccabi Haifa… Helsinki.”
Johansson added that the intensity levels must match the occasion if Motherwell are to protect their advantage and progress.
“So I told the guys today ‘go home and eat some barbed wire’ and prepare for the battle because it’s going to be a battle and you’re going to have to be strong and brave to play our way,” he said. “But the intensity is going to have to be there. Otherwise, there’s no need to travel.”
What Motherwell must manage in the second leg
Motherwell’s first-leg performance gave them a clear platform, with Johansson noting his side dominated possession and the underlying numbers. The challenge now is to translate that control into a disciplined away display against opponents who have built a reputation for making European nights uncomfortable in the Faroes.
From Motherwell’s perspective, the equation is straightforward: avoid conceding early, keep the tie under control, and ensure their own attacking moments carry enough threat to prevent HB from throwing everything forward without consequence. Johansson’s framing of the contest as a “battle” suggests he expects a more direct, physical and emotionally charged second leg, regardless of the first-leg pattern.
Match facts (from BBC Sport):
Fixture: Motherwell vs HB Torshavn (second leg)
Competition: UEFA Conference League (second qualifying round)
Date: Thursday
Kick-off: 18:00 BST
Aggregate: Motherwell lead 2-0
Maswanhise set to return, but will not start
There is also a significant boost for Motherwell supporters: last season’s Scottish Premiership top scorer Tawanda Maswanhise is set to return to the travelling squad after a pre-season jaw injury.
Johansson said the Zimbabwe forward has done enough to be involved, but confirmed he will not be in the starting XI and will wear protective equipment.
“Hopefully, it is looking quite good for JT at this point,” Johansson said of Tawanda Maswanhise. “He will not start the game and he will wear protection. It is massive to have him back in, what a player.”
“Did you see last season? What a player and it is a massive boost for everyone.”
Even from the bench, Maswanhise’s availability changes the shape of the tie. If Motherwell need an outlet to carry the ball higher up the pitch, or a finisher to punish HB as they chase the game, Johansson now has a proven option to call upon.
Squad churn and injuries shape the context
Motherwell’s summer has also involved notable change. Elliot Watt, Elijah Just and Calum Ward have all left Fir Park, with the BBC reporting those departures have triggered a “huge influx in funds” for the fan-owned club.
In the first leg, a number of young academy players were pushed into the squad and “flourished when given the chance”, offering Johansson encouraging early evidence that he can lean on youth during a season that will demand depth.
However, there are key absences too. Club captain Paul McGinn and experienced defender Stephen O’Donnell remain sidelined, limiting Johansson’s options for a game he expects to be defined by nerve, physicality and concentration.
Thursday’s match is not being framed inside the camp as a formality. Instead, Johansson’s language suggests a manager trying to harden his group quickly: respect the opponent, respect the venue, and match the occasion emotionally as well as tactically.
Motherwell’s reward for getting the job done is clear: a place in the third qualifying round and the chance to extend their European run. But Johansson’s warning is equally plain—HB’s home record demands full focus, and the margin for complacency is thin.
Source: BBC Sport