FC Copenhagen hosts Rijeka in the Europa League qualification final. The match will be played on Thursday, October 1st at Parken Stadium (Copenhagen)
Danish Copenhagen gained a 3-0 victory over Polish Piast Gliwice in the last round of the UEFA Europa League qualification, but it may be misleading to think that it was the focus on European competition that prevented the team from successfully starting the local championship. The Lions began their journey as a usual outsider, gaining only one point in three starting rounds. But I do not believe in Copenhagen’s focus on an international campaign for the following reasons. First, the Lions lost to its sworn historical enemy Brøndby in the main derby of the country (1:2). And everybody knows how the teams tune up for such matches. Secondly, Copenhagen miraculously won back at the previous stage of the EL qualification. The Danes scored decisive goals in the 83rd and 85th minutes of the match against Swedish Goteborg and gained a comeback victory (2:1). Therefore, the thumping in the game with the Poles was rather a concourse of favorable circumstances.
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As for Rijeka, this is one of the most successful teams in Croatia in recent years, which feels more than fine in terms of finances (the owner is a serious oligarch). Last season, it became the country's bronze medalist and lacked only one point to get in the Champions League zone. However, Rijeka won the national Cup. In the last stage of the Europa League qualification, the Croats eliminated the Ukrainian Kolos by winning in extra time (2:0). If we look at the previous draw of the second most important European Cup, Rijeka also reached the final of the playoffs for advancing to the group. There the Croats lost to the famous Belgian Gent in an equal fight (1:1 and 1:2), but they confidently beat the experienced Scottish Aberdeen at the earlier stage (2: 0 and 2:0).
In general, unstable Copenhagen will face a rather strong, ambitious and uncompromising Balkan squad. The Croats are unlikely to come to the capital of Denmark just to wave the white flag without a fight. I think that Rijeka will not lose with a difference of two goals in regulation time.
Prediction for the match: Rijeka to win with +1.5 handicap
