København ready for 'greatest game'
Tuesday, 31 October 2006
by Alex O'Henleyfrom Copenhagen
FC København's UEFA Champions League aspirations hang by a thread
as they prepare to welcome Manchester United FC to the Parken
Stadium knowing they have to take something from the game to keep
alive their chances of progress from Group F.
'Greatest game'
The Danish champions are bottom of the section with just one point
and without a single goal, having suffered a 3-0 defeat at United a
fortnight ago. However, their only home match so far ended in a
creditable goalless draw with SL Benfica, and Ståle Solbakken hopes
his players will be inspired on Wednesday night. "It's the greatest
game in København's history," said the coach. "That will give extra
strength to the players and it will be a much closer contest than
at Old Trafford. Although we played quite well, we were up against
maybe the best attacking team in Europe, so we're in for another
tough contest."
Rooney danger
Solbakken, whose men beat Vejle BK 3-0 on Sunday, made light of the
fact United will be without Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs and Louis Saha
through injury, pointing instead to the danger posed by Wayne
Rooney. The English international ended a ten-game goalless streak
with a hat-trick in Saturday's 4-0 win at Bolton Wanderers FC, and
Solbakken hinted he might deploy a five-man midfield to keep the
21-year-old in check. "We all know what he is capable of," said the
Norwegian. "The goals have started to come for him again, and with
Saha and Giggs out he will be even more vital to United, so we will
keep an extra eye on him of course."
'Fantastic player'
Rooney's renaissance is likely to mean a busy evening for Jesper
Christiansen, and he admits it will take an exceptional defensive
display to stop United. "It's important we don't concede early, but
we still have to be aggressive going forward and believe we can
create chances," the goalkeeper told uefa.com. "Rooney is a
fantastic player whether he is scoring or not. He was the main link
in their play at Old Trafford and we'll have to find a way of
keeping him quiet."
Happy memories
The last time United visited Denmark in the UEFA Champions League
they recorded a 6-2 victory at Brøndby IF en route to lifting the
trophy in 1998/99. Sir Alex Ferguson insists another away success
could prove to be a lucky omen again. "We have an opportunity with
a new team to win the European Cup again and we could do it," he
said. "There are half a dozen clubs who could win the competition
this season, it's that open, but we're one of them."
'Exceptional individual'
Ole Gunnar Solskjær was among the goalscorers against Brøndby, and
Sir Alex is full of praise for the way the Norwegian forward has
returned after a two-year injury lay-off to score eight goals this
season. "He's an exceptional and amazing individual," added the
manager. "I'm now thinking he can get me 20 goals this season."
