United ambition for rivals

Extra motivation will not be needed when Croatian champions NK Zagreb host Hungarian title-holders Zalaegerszegi TE in their UEFA Champions League second qualifying round second-leg match tonight.

Daunting prospect
Waiting for the winners is a meeting with Manchester United FC, one of Europe's elite and champions of the competition in 1999. Such a daunting prospect has served only to inspire both sides with each pledging to go for goals in the hope of landing a trip to Old Trafford.

Dreadful conditions
Tomorrow night's fixture could not be more finely balanced with Zalaegerszeg holding a 1-0 lead from the first match a week ago but Zagreb having home advantage for the second leg. The first encounter was played in dreadful conditions, with driving rain making it difficult for either side to show their true worth.

Unfamiliar surroundings
The return promises to be better: hopefully in terms of weather, definitely with regard to drama. It will be played in unfamiliar surroundings for both teams, with Zagreb having to move the tie to the Maksimir stadium, home of NK Dinamo Zagreb, as their own ground does not meet UEFA standards.

Attacking trio
Despite the venue switch, Zagreb are in high spirits not least because of a 1-0 victory last weekend against Croatian Cup winners NK Varteks. And to emphasise their confident mood, coach Ivan Katalinic has said he will start with an attacking formation. He plans to unleash Jasmin Samardzic, Kruno Lovrek and Petar Krpan on the Zalaegerszeg defence. "We need to push forward, pick up the pace and score as early as possible," Samardzic said.

Injury worries
While a goal is needed to square the tie, Katalinic is also aware of the importance of not conceding given an away goal would put the visitors in a commanding position. He is conscious too of injury worries. Katalinic is waiting on the fitness of Damir Milinovic, Goran Stavrevski and Marijo Osibov and is prepared to give them until just before kick-off if necessary.

Chance to shine
Despite this uncertainty, attacker Petar Krpan is in no doubt that Zagreb will win, predicting a 3-1 scoreline in his team's favour. "We have more quality and are capable of proving that on the pitch," he said. "To bring Manchester United to Zagreb is a huge motivation for us in both sporting and economic terms, and it is also a chance for us to show ourselves on the international stage."

Ljubojevic goal
Zalaegerszeg, who did not play last weekend to ensure the best possible preparation, are making their debut in the Champions League. They hold a slender lead in this tie after Yugoslavian midfield player Darko Ljubojevic's 17th-minute goal last Wednesday.

Dreaming of Beckham
However, striker Krisztián Kenesei has urged his team-mates not to get complacent and start dreaming of David Beckham and Co just yet. "We have to put a very important 'exercise' behind us before we will have the chance to face Manchester United," he said.

'A great success'
"It would be a great success for the club and a great joy for the Hungarian fans if we could reach the third qualifying round," he added.  "But first we are concentrating on the match with Zagreb in which we should score at least one goal."