AaB plan frosty welcome for Villarreal
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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Aalborg BK captain Thomas Augustinussen hopes Villarreal CF will "freeze a bit" in the cold of northern Denmark as the hosts look to salvage a UEFA Cup place from what has been a tough Group E campaign so far.
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With one point from three games and back-to-back three-goal defeats, this has been a difficult return to the UEFA Champions League for Aalborg BK. Yet as they prepare to welcome Group E rivals Villarreal CF to a freezing Denmark, captain Thomas Augustinussen insists his side have taken great strides during this campaign.
Learning curve
"We have grown, especially the younger players. Every game has been a big lesson for them," said AaB's 27-year-old captain. "I can feel it myself too. Coming up against players from Manchester United [FC] and Villarreal has shown me new things and definitely improved me as a player. We played in the UEFA Cup last season and encountered some top teams there, but this has been something else – a whole different level."
New target
AaB have all but given up hope of emerging from the group to reach the first knockout round – they are six points behind both United and Villarreal with three matches to play. However, they remain level with Celtic FC and have their sights on third position and entry to the UEFA Cup. "That is our target now, for sure," added Augustinussen, a one-cap Danish international. "We have three tough games remaining, but we believe in ourselves and believe we can get third place." To that end, AaB want at least a point against Villarreal on Wednesday, a tall order given their 6-3 loss in Spain a fortnight ago. Augustinussen, though, is upbeat. "We're going to go for it, and hopefully they'll find it difficult coming to Denmark and playing in a cold stadium," he said. "Hopefully they'll freeze a bit."
No cold concern
Villarreal defender Diego Godín reckons his side have more to worry about than the climate. "We'd prefer it if it was warm, but we have all played in cold weather before so this is not a problem," said the 22-year-old Uruguay player. "Aalborg showed at our place that they are a good team, and they have said they will come out and give their all. It's vital we concentrate and stay strong at the back. If we win, we will be closer to qualification." Indeed, an away victory will take Villarreal through, provided Manchester United beat Celtic in Glasgow. Augustinussen and company have other ideas.