Ståle Solbakken

Ståle: Home support is crucial for Vardar clash

FC Copenhagen face Vardar on Wednesday evening in one of the most important matches of the season.

FCK can qualify for the Champions League playoff round if they overhaul a 1-0 first-leg defect against the Macedonian title winners.

And manager Ståle Solbakken wants a high tempo to set the rhythm of the match at Telia Parken.

"There are three things we need to do in order to win on Wednesday,” Ståle said.

“The first is that we need to inject power into the team. We have lacked energy in our home games this season. It is vital that we have the power and punch in our game, especially during a period where the team is struggling to link up. We must have energy and intensity into our game.

“The second is stability in our defence. We have been OK in our organisation in games against Vardar and Randers but we have not been good enough in the other matches. In the game against Vardar we gave them big chances from individual mistakes.

“The third point is we must avoid the individual and technical mistakes we have made already this season. We must be able to play faster than we have done and that requires us to minimise our technical failures in matches. If we succeed in those things, we definitely have the opportunity to progress.

“Those who have supported FCK for many years know of the difficulties we have faced in the past. But we have many players who have not been at the club during periods of adversity because we have won so much in recent seasons. We understand that there are high expectations on us, we also have them, but I hope on Wednesday we will have a strong home crowd to help us along the way. We knew that it would be difficult at the start of the season, but we had hoped to be further ahead than we are. Therefore, support is extra important right now.”

Kick off on Wednesday evening is at 20:00. You can secure your ticket to the match here at billet.fck.dk