Rosenborg coach Per-Mathias Hogmo is looking to emulate Real Madrid’s prowess at sdet-pieces when the sides meet at the Lerkendal stadium tonight.
Three of Real’s four goals in the reverse fixture in Madrid came from set-pieces and Hogmo believes Rosenborg can exploit this area.
“This is something that could be an important weapon for us as well,” said Hogmo. “We have players who are very good in one-on-one situations and maybe we can provoke free-kicks and other set-pieces which we can use to our advantage.”
However, with David Beckham having recovered from a hamstring strain to take his place in the Madrid line-up, Rosenborg will have be wary of a repeat of the previous encounter.
Beckham’s retrun is welcome as Real coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is already without Ronaldo, Julio Baptista, Zinedine Zidane, Iván Helguera, while Pablo García is suspended.
Rosenborg are without long-term injury victims Robbie Russell and Orjan Berg missing
Luxemburgo was keen to remember the two previous occasions the sides have met in the group stages – as in both 1997-98 and 1999-00, Madrid went on to win the competition.
“They are nice statistics,” Luxemburgo said. “Let’s hope it’ll repeat itself.”
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