Laudrup factor stokes AaB fire

One of Denmark's most famous sons returns to his homeland on Thursday when Michael Laudrup's Getafe CF visit Aalborg BK, but he can expect no favours from the Superligaen side as they look for a victory that would reignite their hopes of UEFA Cup qualification.

Danish legend
Former FC Barcelona, Real Madrid CF and Juventus playmaker Laudrup won 104 caps in a glittering career at club and international level and is now guiding unfashionable Getafe in their debut European campaign. With a win and a defeat to their name in Group G so far his team now meet AaB in a match that has been eagerly awaited ever since the draw was made in October.

'Special' match
"It's very exciting for all the Danish players and the city," AaB defender Martin Pedersen told uefa.com. "All our lives we've watched Michael Laudrup and now we're going to play against his team so it's a match we're looking forward to." The game also holds special significance for goalkeeper Karim Zaza, who played under Laudrup and his assistant, John Jensen at Brøndby IF. He said: "It's a special one for me with the two coaches there. I've known John for 25 years. I'm best friends with his big brother, so I'm looking forward to playing against them, and hopefully winning."

Tottenham defeat
It will also be a match of huge importance for Zaza and his team-mates as they look to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat away against Tottenham Hotspur FC on Matchday 3 where they squandered a two-goal half-time advantage. That result – coupled with a draw in their opening home fixture against Belgian champions RSC Anderlecht – left AaB at the foot of the section with just one point. Victory against Getafe would lift them above their opponents and send them into their final game, away against Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC on 19 December, knowing another three points would guarantee progress.

Home focus
Top of the table in Denmark, AaB have reason to be optimistic but coach Erik Hamrén is under no illusions. "If we are to have a chance to go further we need to have good results at home," he said. "We need to be at 110 per cent every minute of each game and maybe even then it is not enough. Clubs like Tottenham can win even if they're not 100 per cent. But we need to be 100 per cent technically, physically, mentally and tactically in these kind of games to even have a chance."