Football Experts disagree about Molde Champions League chances.
Friday went the reigning champions at another blow when they lost 0-1 for Haugesund at home. Tuesday they will defend Norway’s honor when they meet Armenian Pyunik in the 2nd qualifying round.
The Norwegian title defense has disappointed big this season, and over half of the series is the sixth. With advancement against Pyunik over two games, waiting possibly two settlements in 3rd round before a crucial playoff.
– At the risk of appearing pessimist I highly doubt that Molde when a group game. The arguments are simple: They showed clear signs of weakness this season, says soccer expert Lars Tjærnås.
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We must return to 2007/2008-season to find last a Norwegian teams participated in football’s most coveted club competition. The time it was Rosenborg who were eating cherries and great.
Refuse to depreciate Molde
Since qualifying was changed before 2008/2009, and the cracks were narrower, the Norwegian team failed over and over. Strømsgodset, Molde, Rosenborg Stabæk and Brann have tried over the past seven seasons without success.
– If we compare the players we had then, vs. Molde now, it’s big difference, says C More Expert and former great player Steffen Iversen.
He was part of a Rosenborg team that shocked Valencia twice in Champions League 2007/08-season. The Spanish side had stars like David Silva and Fernando Morientes in the squad.
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On paper it looks difficult out, but Iversen will not write off the possibility of seeing Molde in Champions League.
– Yes, I would say. Molde have a good team, and I do not think they are going to make their way in qualifying, but that they are going to make good games, says Iversen.
Also read: Rosenborg qualifier appears on TV
Risking meeting greats
Also Viasat commentator Roar Stokke think Tor Ole Skullerud and co. can lift themselves after a heavy season start at home.
– I Porsgrunn Moldes opportunities, but much more important is the fact that Molde although this will probably not least strongly believe that it can go, says Stokke.
Experts agree that the Armenian opposition should be manageable, but later in the qualification comes far bigger clubs in. Last year, Swedish Malmö with large tournament, the two years before was Denmark represented.
– If Malmö and Basel can play group games, so must obviously target for Norwegian team be it, says Viasat expert.
Should Molde play into a playoff, it is potentially far tougher opposition waiting on the opposite half.
– They meet another level gradually than in domestic league. We are low ranked, and it is unfortunately a reason, says Lars Tjærnås.
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