He is Norwegian. The Danish national coach. And has trained Malmö FF.
Åge Hareide is probably one of them, who have the most invested in storkampen between FC Copenhagen and Malmö FF. A struggle that not just determine which of the two takes a turn in Europe-the carousel after the new year.
It is also a muskelmåling between two of the clubs who would like to be the largest in Scandinavia.
“the FCK is the greatest with the resources and results they have had through time. It is the biggest club in the Nordic countries – undoubtedly. They have done great in Europe for a long time. Eventually they were in the Champions League, they went also on to the Europa League. It is a good performance. It has enough a part of the culture to do that they come forward,” says Åge Hareide to B. T.
FC Copenhagen measured out earlier in the autumn up against Swedish rivals from the other side of the Øresund. It ended 1-1 in a very close fight and certainly not a clear-cut answer on which of the two clubs who are the strongest right now.
Maybe the fight in Telia Parken will give a better picture of it.
“There is rivalry. And there is also rivalry between the two countries, which are very close to each other. It is, perhaps, the two best clubs in the Nordic region, which is just a bridge between them. It is very special,” says Åge Hareide and continues.
“Malmö has a goal to be good and has got a bigger economic muscles. Especially after they have been in the Champions League. But I think it takes time to get up at the same level as FCK. FCK have so much routine with the here and know how it works. Stale has great control on the situation, if I know him right. He knows exactly how Malmö has its strong and weak sides.”
the Strong and weak sides in a single match is one thing. Anything else is the strength over time.
Here, FC Copenhagen long proven forward with participation in both the Champions League and the Europa League. Malmö FF, however, creeping with the two group stage in the Europa League and two in the Champions League in the last six years.
“Malmö would like to take over FCK’s role. They must fight for, for FCK has had the dominant position in the Nordic region for many years, where they have been with and done well in both the Champions League and the Europa League. It will take time, if they want to overtake FCK,” says Åge Hareide and continues.
There will be a finale in the group. FC Copenhagen can settle with a draw to proceed, while Malmö FF to win, if not they should be relying on a Dynamo Kiev-missteps to go on.
“It will be a big fight. You have FCK, which in many ways has routine and experience, and you have a trainer, which, I think, has great control on the situation. And then you have a team that is ambitious, and Markus Rosenberg with his last battle. It will be a special match for Malmö takes many fans with. It will be a fine backdrop, too.”
you Have a team, you stick with in the battle?
“I must be completely neutral in the struggle. I hope, of course, on the progress of Danish football, but I have had a fine time in Malmö, which is a great club to be in. I wish you all the good in the relationship to prosper. In the starting I keep myself completely neutral and looking at the players, as is with. It is my work,” says Åge Hareide.
It is Thursday night at 18.55, to FC Copenhagen meetings Malmö FF in the Europa League.
