Confident Frankfurt face Malmö deficit

Three-time winners 1. FFC Frankfurt may trail FC Malmö 1-0 ahead of their home UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday but there is no shortage of optimism at the German club.

Frankfurt were in this situation in the round of 32, but were not fazed by a 1-0 loss in Norway to Stabæk FK as they won the return 4-1. They were also beaten away from home in the last 16, going down 2-1 at Paris Saint-Germain FC after a 3-0 victory in Frankfurt, and those home results give them confidence of undoing the damage inflicted by Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir's goal in Sweden last week.

"Of course we had hoped for a better result in Malmö, but we only really woke up after half an hour," said Frankfurt coach Sven Kahlert. "In the second half we were the much better team and created a lot of chances, that's where we need to pick up."

Kahlert, whose goalkeeper Nadine Angerer remains doubtful through a knee injury, added: "I am absolutely convinced that we can deliver a good defensive performance and score the required goals. Our memories from the last home performances in the Champions League are still fresh and will help us get on a winning path with a determined approach."

Malmö, whose only previous campaign was ended by Frankfurt in the 2003/04 semi-finals with an away loss after a home draw, performed excellently last week with their much-changed squad including new signings Katrin Schmidt and Ramona Bachmann. They will travel to Frankfurt without Frida Nordin, who tore anterior cruciate knee ligaments last week and is out for at least six months.

"Of course one more goal would have been even better," said midfielder Therese Sjögran. "But the fact that they did not manage to score, is incredibly important. They will be under all the pressure."