FCK will match up in Portugal
Ståle Solbakken insists FC Copenhagen can get a at least a point from their trip to Porto tonight but admits it is the home ties that are important in the Champions League.
FCK play their first Champions League group game of the season later today at the Estadio do Drago.
Portuguese champions Porto have won four of their six games this season, while the Lions are yet to lose a match in 14 outings.
But Ståle is well aware of the quality the hosts bring and believes FCK’s European campaign will rest on results in Telia Parken later this autumn.
“It will be difficult, but we are confident and hope that we can surprise them and pick up a point or three,” he said.
“We have not lost in a long time and are hard to beat, so if we can use our physicality well we can get something. But the game is open for us in the sense that first of all we must pick up our points at home.
“We know how difficult it is to take anything away from home in the Champions League. Just look at our first three group stages, when there were only five away wins combined.
“And a team like Celtic have played 21 away games and only won once and claimed one draw. But as I said, it will be difficult, and it is even more important than normal that we avoid mistakes in all aspects of the game and keep our concentration for the full 90 minutes.
“And if we need points, we probably need a couple of match winners, both in terms of crucial saves and offensive plays at the other end of the field.”
FCK.dk also spoke to a number of the travelling Copenhagen squad to gauge their opinions heading into the clash.
Mathias Zanka: “We are not satisfied with just getting an experience down here, we're going to play our game.
Thomas Delaney: “We are not friends, and it's not often we’re in this position, but it just shows what kind of a club we are. However, we should probably be focused and be careful that we do not run into a trap down here.
William Kvist: “Point-wise it is better to win our home game against Brugge, than getting a point here and a point at home against Brugge. But let's see. We are strong right now and have great confidence but we will of course not have the ball as much tomorrow as we are accustomed to in the Superliga.
