Solbakken confident FCK can get better of Barça

Ståle Solbakken admits it will be "extremely important" to stop Lionel Messi but suggested his FC København team might take some risks and go out for victory against the Group D leaders, FC Barcelona. "With a great team effort, we have a chance," he said. His counterpart, Josep Guardiola, expects an awkward evening in the Danish capital and is glad to have Xavi Hernández available for a contest in which victory would secure qualification.

Ståle Solbakken, København coach
No matter the result we will still be in a position to progress which is very important as it means we can take some chances with our tactical approach. If we can play like we did in the second half in Barcelona we certainly have a chance and the atmosphere at Parken Stadium will help carry us forward. In the match at Camp Nou we lost 2-0 to a better team.

Messi was a key player and scored both goals and it will be extremely important to stop him from roaming in the area between our midfield and defence. If we can push him out towards the sidelines we will have a better chance of preventing him creating chances. Cleverer coaches than me and better players than mine have tried and been unsuccessful at stopping Messi, but with a great team effort we have a chance.

Josep Guardiola, Barcelona coach
We face a very strong opponent. FC København are national champions, which is always difficult no matter what league you're in, and they do not give many chances away. The fact that we have not won an away fixture in the Champions League in almost a year shows how difficult the competition is, but our goal is to claim the three points tomorrow and secure qualification for the next round.

The 5-0 victory against Sevilla [on Saturday] and the manner in which we won will have a positive effect on our team. I'm pleased Xavi came through the match unscathed and is fit because he is a great player. So is Messi but I do not want praise for that because with players as unique as Messi the coach is not important.

Team news
• København
Hjalte Nørregaard has been ruled out until the end of November after suffering a hamstring injury, while César Santin, who twisted an ankle in a recent league game, could return after training with the team on Monday. Martin Bergvold has not played since suffering a knee injury on 21 August.

• Barcelona
Xavi Hernández (tendinitis) returned against Sevilla FC at the weekend, but Jeffren (dislocated shoulder) is out of contention, and Gabriel Milito has been sidelined since tearing an adductor muscle in training on 18 October.

Weekend results
30/10/10 København 3-2 Lyngby BK
(Zohore 13, Nordstrand 88, Ottesen 90; Aabech 22, Rise 86)
FCK extended their unbeaten Super League start to 14 games. Their haul of 38 points is a record at this stage of a Danish top-flight campaign. Kenneth Zohore, 16, marked his second senior start for FCK with his first goal.

30/10/10 Barcelona 5-0 Sevilla FC
(Messi 4 64, Villa 24 90, Alves 52)
Barcelona overwhelmed a Sevilla side reduced to ten men by Abdoulay Konko's sending-off just before half-time. Guardiola's side are unbeaten in 11 games, winning the last five. Messi has struck two goals on each of his last three appearances.

Did you know?
København have never beaten Spanish opponents at home in European ties, losing two and drawing one of three games. Indeed, the Danish club are yet to win against Liga opposition in seven previous attempts, with their defeat in Barcelona their fourth loss. By contrast Barcelona have won all three previous games in Denmark and have yet to concede a goal.

For more information see the match background.