It is not just the Alps that have the height advantage over Falkirk tonight.

At the foot of the Alps
Falkirk manager Eddie May is confident that his new-look defence can deal with the expected onslaught from FC Vaduz and help book a place in the next stage of the Europa League. The Bairns are in Liechtenstein to defend their 1-0 lead in the return leg of the second qualifying round tonight. Ryan Flynn's deflected goal has given May's young team the edge in their first-ever European tie but Vaduz, under the charge of German World Cup winner Pierre Littbarski, showed they were not just making up the numbers at Westfield. Littbarski is building a new team following relegation from the Swiss Super League last term and his predominantly German players were unlucky not to score in Falkirk. With a height advantage over the Bairns, set-pieces and crosses will again be their main attacking weapons. But May is convinced his new rearguard - featuring summer signings Marc Twaddle and Brian McLean as centre-backs and captain Darren Barr pushed to right-back - can repel the Vaduz advances. 

May said: "I thought both of them, Marc and Brian, were on the same wavelength. I was really, really pleased for them last week. It's a big step coming to a new club and they got off to an impressive start. I think they showed they have got very good qualities in their areas, we have been working very hard on that department. I think it's vital for what we are trying to achieve this season. We expect set-pieces from Vaduz again, I think that is where they are most dangerous. It's a challenge and on the night we will have to adjust, but I'm confident we can."

A tie against Slovan Liberec of the Czech Republic awaits the winners of the tie following the second leg at the Rheinpark Stadion. The scenic setting at the foot of the Alps will look all the more pleasing for May if the SPL side can look back on an aggregate win. He said: "I think if we score a goal it makes it more difficult as they have to go and score three. We will play similar to the first game. We will sit in a little bit but when the opportunity is there to go forward we will go and try and score a goal. But we will have to be at our best to get through the tie, definitely."
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