Rutten: Copenhagen will change tack

Posted Thursday, November 05, 2009 by PA

PSV Eindhoven coach Fred Rutten expects FC Copenhagen to employ a different approach to the teams' last meeting when they square up in their Europa League clash in Denmark.

The Dutch side are currently top of Group K with seven points from three games while their Danish opponents prop up the standings although there is just one point separating second from fourth.

The teams met a fortnight ago with PSV claiming a 1-0 victory which means three points on Thursday will all but guarantee Rutten's side a top-two finish.

However, Copenhagen need to utilise home advantage with their closest rivals Cluj and Sparta Prague meeting in Romania.

Copenhagen set out to stifle their opponents last time out in a tough encounter which produced little creativity and was marked by Jonathan Reis missing a penalty and then scoring the only goal.

However, Rutten believes the Danes will have to show more ambition given their position in the group.

Rutten said: "As the competition progresses more risks will be taken.

"In the last match there was a tightly controlled team with a lot of midfielders.

"On Thursday I think it will be a slightly different Copenhagen.

"I expect tough, stiff competition."

Holland Under-21 defender Erik Pieters concurred with Rutten, adding: "They came to get a point (at PSV) but now they want to win.

"They have the players to play more aggressively than they did at our place.

"I expect a good game."

Striker Danny Koevermans has shaken off the hamstring injury he sustained during PSV's 0-0 draw at FC Utrecht.

Jagos Vukovic, who has also recovered from injury, has also been recalled to the squad.

The hosts' build-up to the match has been overshadowed by the news coach Stale Solbakken will become manager of Norway at the start of 2012 although his contract runs out in the summer of 2011.

He explained: "We judged that it was best to go out openly and honestly with it now, and it was also with the NFF.

"But I am well aware that it will be turbulent, and I will be asked about this many times to come.

"But there it is, and I live just fine with it.

"But after this, I will not speak about it because I still have 18 months left on my contract, and those I intend to meet.

"I look forward to it, I enjoy my job and I am more motivated than ever to win all the titles, we can, and to deliver a strong and good practice for my successor in the summer of 2011."