‘I think Madrid can win it’

Stale Solbakken admitted that Real Madrid deservedly won against his Copenhagen side, and has backed them for La Decima.

The Danish outfit have finished bottom of Group B of the Champions League, ending the campaign with a 2-0 reverse at home to table-topping Madrid, thanks to goals from Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“We were outplayed for parts of the game, but we had our opportunities,” mused Solbakken afterwards.

“Their win was deserved, but I am proud of our performance and we fought well. The boys gave everything and they carried on even after Madrid increased the score to 2-0.

“We have too few players who can take on their direct opponent and put that opponent off balance. Therefore our passing play has to be perfect.

“Rurik [Gislason] and Igor [Vetokele] created a bit, but you need more players of that kind if you are to compete at the highest level. Youssef [Toutouh] can rush past his marker in the Danish League but he cannot do that at this level.

“In general I am content with our performance in the group stage. I was not happy with our poor away display against Galatasaray but the other five games merit respect.

“I am tired of comparisons with our 2010 side – that team had a couple of players with individual quality at international level.

“I think Real Madrid can win the Champions League. Together with Bayern Munich they are my favourites.

“Bayern have more collective strength while Madrid are brilliant individually and have amazing strength in their counterattacking.”

Tags Copenhagen Solbakken
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