Aalborg BK – Villarreal CF match preview

Aalborg, Aalborg
Wednesday 5 November 2008 – 20.45CET
Group E – Matchday 4

Villarreal CF coach Manuel Pellegrini has promised that his side will attack from the off at Aalborg BK as they go in search of the win that would put them within touching distance of the UEFA Champions League knockout stage.
Attacking goal
The Spanish club sit second in Group E, six points clear of the Danish champions, but any thoughts of preserving rather than extending that advantage were swiftly banished by the coach at his pre-match news conference. “Our objective is to qualify as soon as possible,” said Pellegrini, whose team will book their place in the last 16 with a victory provided Celtic FC fail to overcome Manchester United FC in the section’s other fixture. “That has been our aim from the start and we want to achieve it as quickly as we can. We will then fight for first place in the group, but first we make sure of second.”
Still strong
Two weeks ago these sides produced a nine-goal thriller at El Madrigal, with Villarreal eventually prevailing by 6-3 at the beginning of a three-game run in which they conceded 12 goals. Saturday’s 4-1 triumph at Athletic Club Bilbao kept the Yellow Submarine in contention in second place in the Liga, however, and the coach believes his defence will stand firm in the cold conditions in northern Denmark. “The three teams [AaB, Club Atlético de Madrid and Polideportivo Ejido] we played when we shipped those goals were all different and difficult, but there are no worries – we are strong,” said Pellegrini, who will start with Cani in midfield should Santi Cazorla fail to recover from a groin injury. “I am not worried about the weather, I expect my players to perform as normal.”
Kuhn command
AaB have also experienced upheaval since Matchday 3, with their defeat in eastern Spain prompting the departure of coach Bruce Rioch and his replacement by assistant Allan Kuhn on a temporary basis. “This is a good opportunity for me and I’m sure when I see the packed stadium I’ll realise it is a massive occasion,” said the 40-year-old ahead of his UEFA Champions League debut and his first outing as a head coach since leaving Danish fourth division team FC Bornholm in 2004. “I’d like to keep the job longer,” he added. “I’ve reached an agreement with our sporting director to stay for a month and a half as coach, but hopefully it’ll be more.”
Play with pride
AaB’s chances of advancing have all but vanished after a haul of one point from three matches, yet Kuhn still expects maximum effort in front of their home support. “When you play Villarreal, there will be times when you have to defend – they push their full-backs up – but we’ll look to create opportunities like we did in our last game against them,” said the new coach, who has overseen two draws so far, including Saturday’s 1-1 result at Odense BK. “In the first half in Spain we were the better team.” AaB could be boosted by the return of Kasper Risgård from a knee injury which has kept the midfielder sidelined since Matchday 2.
AaB plan frosty welcome for Villarreal
With one point from three games and back-to-back three-goal defeats, this has been a difficult return to the UEFA Champions League for Aalborg BK. Yet as they prepare to welcome Group E rivals Villarreal CF to a freezing Denmark, captain Thomas Augustinussen insists his side have taken great strides during this campaign.
Learning curve
“We have grown, especially the younger players. Every game has been a big lesson for them,” said AaB’s 27-year-old captain. “I can feel it myself too. Coming up against players from Manchester United [FC] and Villarreal has shown me new things and definitely improved me as a player. We played in the UEFA Cup last season and encountered some top teams there, but this has been something else – a whole different level.”
New target
AaB have all but given up hope of emerging from the group to reach the first knockout round – they are six points behind both United and Villarreal with three matches to play. However, they remain level with Celtic FC and have their sights on third position and entry to the UEFA Cup. “That is our target now, for sure,” added Augustinussen, a one-cap Danish international. “We have three tough games remaining, but we believe in ourselves and believe we can get third place.” To that end, AaB want at least a point against Villarreal on Wednesday, a tall order given their 6-3 loss in Spain a fortnight ago. Augustinussen, though, is upbeat. “We’re going to go for it, and hopefully they’ll find it difficult coming to Denmark and playing in a cold stadium,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll freeze a bit.”
No cold concern
Villarreal defender Diego Godín reckons his side have more to worry about than the climate. “We’d prefer it if it was warm, but we have all played in cold weather before so this is not a problem,” said the 22-year-old Uruguay player. “Aalborg showed at our place that they are a good team, and they have said they will come out and give their all. It’s vital we concentrate and stay strong at the back. If we win, we will be closer to qualification.” Indeed, an away victory will take Villarreal through, provided Manchester United beat Celtic in Glasgow. Augustinussen and company have other ideas.