Anzhi Makhachkala coach Guus Hiddink says Hungarian minnows FC Honved are the better prepared side for their Europa League second qualifying round, first-leg clash Thursday. The Dagestan club host the Budapest team at a stadium near Moscow after UEFA deemed the southern Russian province to be too unsafe. Hiddink noted that Honved would arrive in better shape, having already played two competitive matches this season while Anzhi were just wrapping up their pre-season training camp in the Austrian Alps.
“On the whole we’ve had a bit of a broken up training session,” Hiddink was quoted as saying by the club’s website. “We had a lot to do in very little time. And I don’t think we are quite where I want us to be right now. So we need a little bit more time,” the 65-year-old Dutchman said.
“I think Honved have a certain advantage since we haven’t had any official matches this season but they have. But I know the spirit of our team, and we must show this energy in the upcoming game.”
Honved beat Flamurtari Vlore of Albania 3-0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.
“I think Honved have a certain advantage since we haven’t had any official matches this season but they have. But I know the spirit of our team, and we must show this energy in the upcoming game.”
Honved beat Flamurtari Vlore of Albania 3-0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.
