Greg . 1 day ago

'We have a belief now': Malmo ready for local battle with Copenhagen

Tonight will see UEFA Champions League (UCL) history made, as FC Copenhagen cross the Oresund Bridge to confront Malmo in the first leg of their Third Qualifying Round tie.

The fixture is said to be the shortest international trip ever made for a UCL tie, with only 28 kilometres separating the two clubs' stadiums as the crow flies.

Though both sides will welcome the lack of travel time, the local derby presents a tough challenge for both sides.

Malmo in particular will confront a step up in class, having brushed aside both Iberia 1999 of Georgia and RFS of Latvia in the opening two rounds.

MFF manager Henrik Rydstrom knows his side need to be at their best, "We have to put in an incredibly good effort, both tomorrow and in the return leg, to be able to beat them," he told the pre-match press conference.

But after a period of inconsistency, his side have establish their create of late, "At the same time, we have a belief now that we perhaps didn't have fully two months ago.

We are coming off seven straight wins, against varying opposition, but we sense we are getting better and better.

""The key now is to understand that it is a doubleheader.

It is not over who is the most aggressive in the first quarter, but over which team is the coolest and best at handling what happens over time," Rydstrom continued.

Football in Sweden and Denmark is often seen by outsiders as being of a similar level, but as emphasized in Betopick's report today, when it comes to finances, the fundamental structure of football in Sweden creates a gulf between the two clubs.

"Even though there are differences in finances and resources, that does not mean that we cannot perform very well.

I think we will have a really good doubleheader," believes the Malmo manager, who suggests the teams' familiarity with each other will create a tense affair.

"We have a good picture of FCK, but their coaching staff probably has a pretty good picture of us too.

They know how they want to hurt us, and we know how we want to hurt them.

"I sense confident and think it will be really exciting to see how we manage it.

Because that's what it's all over, taking advantage of the good periods in the match and actually scoring goals.

Over 180 minutes, both teams will have their moments, the question is how to manage it.

"Last season, Malmo knocked out PAOK of Greece at the same stage before falling to Sparta Prague in the Playoff Round, dropping into the League Phase of the UEFA Europa League.

The team's undergo of these qualifiers will serve them well, says  Rydstrom.

"I think we acquire from last year.

We moved into some home games with a snapped of the wrong attitude, perhaps mainly against Sparta Prague, and also in some games in the league phase.

We have learned from that.

Then you never know for sure, we are human and react differently.

"Pursue Malmo vs Copenhagen and all the UCL Qualifiers on Betopick.