Sollied calls for Heerenveen heroes
Thursday, October 23, 2008
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SC Heerenveen coach Trond Sollied believes "nine members of my team have to play excellently – and one of them must be the goalkeeper" if the Dutch club are to get the better of AC Milan in their Group E opener.
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'Anything possible'
Should they do so, Sollied believes "anything is possible", as his Club Brugge KV side showed when defeating Milan 1-0 at San Siro in the UEFA Champions League five years ago. The coach knows that success against the then holders has no bearing on tonight's outcome, but tactics certainly will. "We have be tactically perfect," continued the 49-year-old. "We have to play controlled, attacking football and take the few chances we might get. Milan are good, and very clever. If an opponent has a lapse for a moment they strike immediately. They make you think you're in control then act without mercy."
Home points
Heerenveen have made an encouraging start to the Eredivise campaign, and lie four points off the lead in sixth after six matches. Sollied, who took charge in the summer, is hoping to improve on last season's fifth-placed finish as well as impressing in the UEFA Cup. "We want to still be in Europe after the winter, and that means you have to grab your home points," said Sollied, whose side will also play SC Braga at the Abe Lenstra Stadium in between travelling to VfL Wolfsburg and Portsmouth FC. "It will be very hard against Milan, so we might have to win away too. After the game against Wolfsburg things will become clearer in the group."
Trio return
Striker Gerald Sibon (flu) and midfield duo Christian Grindheim (thigh) and Michal Švec (ankle) have all overcome minor ailments in time to play, leaving Sollied with a fully-fit squad. "The players should enjoy the occasion," he said. "You don't get the chance to play against Milan every day." Andrea Pirlo, Philippe Senderos and Kakha Kaladze are all out through injury for the visitors, who could rest Ronaldinho and Clarence Seedorf. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, looking to guide the seven-time European champions to a first UEFA Cup success, said: "Heerenveen might not have much experience in Europe but they have plenty of pace and are extremely dangerous, especially at home. We're improving game by game and should continue this process in the UEFA Cup."