A 'nicer kind of pressure' for FCK's Bengtsson

FC København are welcoming Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League play-offs on the back of two losses that have left them third from bottom of the Danish Superliga.

But defender Pierre Bengtsson believes: "It's always easier to be the underdogs," pointing to their superb European record at the Parken Stadium, including the 2-0 third qualifying round defeat of FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, ahead of tonight's first leg with Leverkusen.

UEFA.com: Can you play without pressure tomorrow when people are starting to focus on your poor domestic form?

Pierre Bengtsson: We don't have the same pressure on our shoulders after the last two weeks with disappointing performances in the Superliga. We can enjoy this match a bit, because when we return to the Superliga there will again be a lot of pressure on our shoulders.

It's a nicer kind of pressure to play in the Champions League because people don't expect us to win like they do in the Superliga. But we also have expectations for this match. But it is nothing negative. It's pure positive thoughts.

UEFA.com: You played very well against Dnipro. Is it something you can use for the matches against Bayer Leverkusen?

Bengtsson: Of course, we have a good Champions League record here at Parken. So we have to believe in a triumph and if everybody plays their best and we play well as a team, we have a chance.

UEFA.com: Are you ready for the pressure you will be put under?

Bengtsson: I am because I have tried this before and I really like these kind of matches. I hope that we as a team can put in a good shift and win our individual duels. If we manage to do so, I believe we can get a good result.

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UEFA.com: How do you see the way Bayer Leverkusen play?

Bengtsson: They press very high up the pitch and we are prepared for that. So if we manage to play around their first press it will be easier. We can look at the matches against Dnipro, they played a bit similar even though they didn't start to press so far up the pitch as Bayer Leverkusen do.

But we will see, we are prepared and maybe at the beginning of the match we will have to play long passes to our striker Andreas Cornelius and play the ball behind their back four. Then I'm confident it will open up the game as the match moves forward.

UEFA.com: What happens with FC København when they step onto the pitch for a UEFA Champions League match at the Parken Stadium?

Bengtsson: Everybody gets a bit more up for it and wants to show a little bit more. It gives us more excitement than playing SønderjyskE, Silkeborg and Hobro, it's a bit different from that.

UEFA.com: So it's not because you simply like to be underdogs?

Bengtsson: It's also because of that. We are never underdogs in the Danish league. It's always easier to be the underdogs and it's an advantage for us that Bayer Leverkusen are big favourites in this tie. They have everything to lose and we have everything to gain.