Høgmo: "We will attack"
By Thomas Myren, 22 August 2005, 23:02
0-0 is enough to qualify to the Champions League, but Rosenborg do not intend to take shelter in the 2nd leg match against Steaua Bucuresti Tuesday night.
ATTACKING IN MIND: Per-Mathias Høgmo at the press conference today.
Photo: Thomas Myren
"We can not play for 0-0, eventhough we will go through with that. Rosenborg at home shall always attack," Per-Mathias Høgmo said on the pre-match press conference today.
The new RBK coach has therefore been focusing on the attacking play in the training sessions in front of his home debut at Lerkendal.
"The breakdowns will be very important tomorrow. We have been working on this on training the last days. We should try always to be two players together at the wing. At the same time it is important that we manage to "turn" the play over to the other side of the pitch if we get stucked," he says.
Keep clean sheet Still there is no doubt that not conceding goals is important too.
"Our general defensive play has to be a lot better than what it has been. We have to avoid giving space and have to "compress" sideways. A well compressed defensive play will be very important," Høgmo analyses.
"We make small adjustments all the time, and hopefully this will give results," he says.
Excellent basis All clubs are satisfied with 1-1 away from home in knock-out rounds in the European cups, so also in Trondheim.
"Many say we were very lucky last time, but drawing 1-1 after 8-3 in goal attempts is not that incredibly. The players were very self-sacrificing, and that contributed to the result," Per-Mathias Høgmo thinks.
He is very confident in front of Tuesday's match.
"We have very good chances. We have a good basis and have all possibilities. At the same time there is a very big difference between playing home and away in Europe. As coach for the U-21 national team, I experienced losing 1-5 away and winning 3-0 at home in the playoff against Serbia and Montenegro, which later went all the way to the final in the European championship."
"Won't be a shuttlecock" Rosenborg have the last seasons been taking fewer and fewer points in the Champions League, but Høgmo does not fear his team will be humiliated in a potential group play.
"If we qualify, it means we have knocked out Steaua Bucuresti. They are at the same level as many of the teams we will meet in the group phase," he claims.
"It would be very fun to play in the Champions League. It would be inspiring for the whole club. At the same time Skutle (Chief Executive) says it is much money in it. But primarily it would be a great challenge for us," Per-Mathias Høgmo ends.
Probable Rosenborg starting line-up:
Espen Johnsen
Christer Basma - Vidar Riseth - Alejandro Lago - Mikael Dorsin
