Rakow will be looking to take a step towards Champions League qualification as they host Copenhagen. The Polish side defeated Aris Limassol in the third qualifying round, while Copenhagen was victorious on penalties against Sparta Prague.
Preview (Rakow vs Copenhagen)
Rakow has never advanced past the group round of the Champions League. Their successful qualifying performance has drawn attention. The defending Polish champions have competed in six matches across three qualifying rounds. They have won five of those games and drawing one. After that, they defeated Qarabag (4-3 on aggregate) and Aris in the subsequent second and third-round matches. On Tuesday, their winning streak will face yet another challenge. They welcome their Danish rivals. aiming to achieve a successful outcome that puts them in a favorable position for the rematch on August 30.
In the three qualifying rounds, Rakow has won three out of three at home. It will instill the hosts with much-needed confidence ahead of their match on Tuesday. Copenhagen are the front-runners to advance to the Champions League group stage. To advance, they must learn to deal with being the preferred side. The Danish club played in the final two rounds to just miss being selected as one of the 32 teams competing in this year’s championship by a few games.
In the last match, Sparta Prague was defeated by Jacob Neestrup’s team by penalties after a wild encounter in which the Lions took a 1-0 lead in the second leg, turned the tide to go up 2-1, then fell behind 3-2.Viktor Claesson’s equalizer in the 112th minute tied the game at 3-3 both on the night and overall, forcing penalties. The question is whether Copenhagen’s better track record in these circumstances gives them the advantage against Rakow, whose remarkable run has been astonishing.
Team News
Although Fabian Piasecki did not start Rakow’s game over the weekend, the striker, who has already scored twice this season, ought to take Lukasz Zwolinski’s position. In the victory over Stal Mielec on Saturday, Giannis Papanikolaou was in excellent form. Just before the intermission, he started the scoring. Beginning on Tuesday, he will. Rakow will begin with a 3-4-3 formation, and Szwarga will not alter his strategy. Denis Vavro came off early in Copenhagen’s victory over Sparta Prague, missing the 2-0 victory at Hvidovre, and is now questionable for Tuesday.
Mohamed Elyounoussi, a former Southampton player, might start against Rakow after scoring off the bench in a league match over the weekend. In the 3-3 draw with Sparta Prague, Kamil Grabara made 10 saves, giving him a chance to win the game. As Copenhagen is unlikely to end Rakow’s perfect streak on Tuesday, the Polish team should win another Champions League game.
Rakow 2 – 1 Copenhagen
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