Ståle Solbakken

Ståle: Red Star difficult but not impossible

Red Star Belgrade will be a "difficult" opponent to overcome in UEFA Champions League qualifying – but the task ahead of FC Copenhagen is not impossible.

That is the view of FCK manager Ståle Solbakken, whose side beat The New Saints 3-0 on aggregate in the second qualifying round.

"It will be difficult, but not impossible, and the chances are 50/50 over the two matches," Ståle said.

>> How to buy FC Copenhagen tickets

"They are really strong in Belgrade, where they create a cauldron atmosphere, and visitors become a little less strong on the field.

"As you know, we start down there, and the task is therefore to keep things alive ahead of the return game in Copenhagen. At home we have shown many times that together with our fans we are able to create something extraordinary.

“We have also delivered good performances abroad, and we have to do that again. That requires us to raise ourselves by Tuesday's clash down there."

>> Buy FC Copenhagen vs Red Star tickets

Huge support vital for clash
Ståle also notes that the Copenhagen football public has returned strongly from the summer holidays.

“I think the backing from our fans over the past two games has been strong. First against AGF, where we were well over 16,000 fans in the middle of the holidays, and again versus The New Saints for a match that on paper did not look exciting.

"It shows that we are ready for Red Star on that front. The support and energy we can create together can be crucial to whether we succeed in these two matches."

You can secure a seat for the exciting European evening in Copenhagen right here.

>> Buy FC Copenhagen tickets