Your Ad Here

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Gertjan Verbeek: Wants to draw a Champions League team


Picture
AZ Alkmaar coach Gertjan Verbeek has urged his team to seal their progression from the Europa League group stage and set up a potential clash with one of the teams coming in from the Champions League.
The Dutchman admits his team are unlikely to challenge for the latter stages of the competition, but would relish a high-profile test.
The teams parachuted in from the competition's big brother could potentially include the likes of Lyon, Porto and either or even both of Manchester rivals City and United.
And Verbeek, whose team lie second in Group G on six points, said: "Soon the Champions League teams will flow in.
"For us, it is very difficult to reach the final. We are focused mainly on the Premier League.
"But now we are so close to reaching the next round and the Champions League teams, I would like to draw one of those teams.
"The club is good to go for an extra round of the Europa League, maybe two. You never know."
On the game at hand, against the team propping up the group, he added: "I want us to dominate and control the game. In the previous games I talked about it, but we did not hold a lead. At Malmo, I hope this tactic can ensure the three points.
"What team will Malmo play? Not a clue. And it does not interest me. I am looking at AZ."
Providing that insider knowledge instead will be midfielder Pontus Wernbloom, after the Swede was nominated as Verbeek's de facto assistant for the game.
"In preparation for the away match against Austria Vienna Niklas Moisander had that role," Verbeek said. "Now we will see what Pontus can bring."
Striker Ruud Boymans is nearing full fitness after a three-month absence with an ankle injury but was absent from the travelling party, along with defender Dirk Marcellis and Belgium midfielder Maarten Martens.
Malmo's hopes of progressing are as good as over - they trail their opponents by six points and, having lost their first meeting 4-1, must produce a spectacular result to turn the head-to-head record around, even when taking into account AZ's 14-match winless run away from home in Europe.
Coach Rikard Norling said in the match programme: "We have lots of young players with great ability and great faith in themselves. They have now gone through both the feeling of winning many games, but also got experience of how it feels when you lose.
"Everyone knows what is needed to get to the next level. Now we're going out there to enjoy and gain experience in the last matches, and start scoring points. It is time now."

No comments:

Post a Comment