Häcken Aims to Upset Brann in Europa League Return Leg
Ahead of the Europa League second leg, BK Häcken aims to rebound against Brann after a first-leg defeat.
Key Points
- • Brann leads the tie with a 2-0 win from the first leg against Häcken.
- • Atli Saevar Magnusson's two goals set a strong foundation for Brann.
- • Häcken seeks to exploit potential overconfidence from Brann players.
- • The importance of scoring first is highlighted by Häcken's players.
As the second leg of the Europa League third qualifying round approaches, BK Häcken finds themselves in a challenging position after a tough 2-0 defeat to Brann in the first matchup. Brann's Atli Saevar Magnusson shone brightly, netting both goals, with Brann's coach Freyr Alexandersson praising his performance, particularly highlighting his impressive pressing skills. Alexandersson expressed confidence about the upcoming match, stating, "It’s halftime now, but we will head back, perform in the return match, and then have fun in Bergen after that."
Conversely, Häcken, represented by left-back Adam Lundkvist, is determined to turn the tide. Lundkvist acknowledged the Norwegian side's current morale, suggesting that Brann may be getting a bit too confident. He conveyed a sense of urgency for Häcken, emphasizing the need to score early: "They are very pleased with themselves, a bit too proud perhaps, and it would be nice to knock them down a peg."
Häcken must secure at least two goals more than Brann to avoid elimination and are strategizing to revert to their core style of play. With this mindset, they are ready to challenge the odds in the return leg set in Bergen, demonstrating their determination to compete despite the uphill battle ahead.