FC Red Bull Salzburg coach Huub Stevens has vowed that this side will not underestimate struggling Levski Sofia in their Europa League Group G clash on October 22.
The Bulgarian side are in a poor run of form at present and their coach resigned at the weekend, but Stevens has done his homework on the visitors and will be guarding against complacency.
“We did our best to be well informed about the club,” Stevens said. “We sent someone to watch Levski play against Beroe and we also saw many videotapes.
“We know [that Levski have a new coach] and we must therefore keep our eyes wide open. We must not underestimate Levski. The effect of this situation might produce a strengthening of Levski lines and bigger concentration. In many cases, changing the coach gives a fresh impulse to the players.”
Asked whether the Red Bull players might still take the win for granted, Stevens replied: “I truly believe we will not make this mistake.”
The Red Bulls have other concerns ahead of the match, not least that influential striker Marc Janko is struggling to be fit to take his place in the line-up. The prolific 26-year-old, who scored 39 times in 34 Austrian Bundesliga matches last season and has eight in 11 so far in 2009/10, suffered a thigh injury during the Red Bulls 1-0 defeat to FK Austria Vien at the weekend.
Midfielder Nikola Pokrivač is also a doubt for the hosts, as he is struggling with flu.
The loss to FK was the Red Bulls first defeat since a 2-1 reverse against Maccabi Haifa in the fourth qualifying round of the Champions League back in August and they will be looking to continue their fine start to the season against their Bulgarian opponents.
Despite Stevens's concerns, the Red Bulls will be quietly confident after posting two wins out of two in their opening Europa League Group G matches against teams of the pedigree of Lazio and Villareal, while Levski Sofia have been been defeated in both of their opening games.
Ahead of the tie, we take a look at the visitors, who it's fair to say are not enjoying the current season quite as much as the Red Bulls.
PFC Levski Sofia
How they qualified
Finishing top of the Bulgarian League by one point from rivals CSKA Sofia was enough to earn Levski a spot in qualifying for the Champions League, where they reached the fourth round before bowing out to Debrecen 4-1 on aggregate. Teams losing out at that stage of the Champions League automatically receive a place in the Europa League.
Euro History
Levski qualified for the Champions League group stages in 2006/07, but that has been their only appearance in Europe’s premier competition so far. The club are twice quarter finalists in the Europa League’s forerunner – the UEFA Cup – and reached the same stage of the Cup Winner’s Cup on three occasions.
How will they fare?
Poorly, if current form is anything to go by. In addition to losing their two opening Europa League matches to Lazio and Villareal, Levski have visited Austria just twice in their history, losing both times to FK Austria Wien and SK Sturm without scoring a goal.
How are they doing domestically?
Not well. They are on a run of just one win in their last 10 matches in all competitions and currently lie ninth of 16 sides in the Bulgarian League. This dismal run led to the resignation of coach Ratko Dostanić at the weekend and this match will be the club’s first under sporting director Georgi Ivanov and coach Antoni Zdradkov.
Who to look out for?
Exciting Brazilian prospect Joãozinho could be the man the Red Bulls will need to keep a close eye on. The 20-year-old operates either on the left wing or at left wing back and loves to take opponents on. He also takes the free kicks and penalties for Levski.
PFC Levski Sofia – Forthcoming Europa League fixtures
November 5: FC Red Bull Salzburg (Georgi Asparuhov)
December 1: Villareal (Georgi Asparuhov)
December 16: Lazio (Stadio Olympico)
FC Red Bull Salzburg v PFC Levski Sofia
Red Bull Arena, Salzburg
Kick-off: 19.00 (CET), October 22, 2009
FC Red Bull Salzburg – Forthcoming Europa League fixtures
November 5: PFC Levski Sofia (Georgi Asparuhov)
December 2: Lazio (Red Bull Arena)
December 17: Villareal (El Madrigal)
Comments
Add a comment