Think Copenhagen and I think of Danny Kaye and Jonathan Richman (OK Jojo's song was called My Little Kookenhaken, but it's close enough). However, in the third round of Champions League matches its FCB v FC Copenhaguen that we turn our attention to.
The Danes come to the Camp Nou brimming with the confidence that comes with being 12 points clear at the top of the Danish Super League and having only lost one game in all competition this season (away to Rosenborg in the CL qualifiers). A 1-0 win over Rubin Kazan followed up with a 2-0 win in Athens against Panathinaikos means that a win this evening would mean the Danish table-toppers are almost certainly still in Europe after Christmas.
FC Barcelona must make sure their players don't look at the calendar because it was a year ago today that another unfancied rival, Rubin Kazan, shocked Barça with a 2-1 win. More worrying for Pep Guardiola is the late drop out of No.1 goalkeeper Victor Valdés. Which means José Pinto stepping up for his 6th CL appearance. However, his last appearance in the football world's No.1 club competition came almost 7 years ago in his Celta days.
The big question is whether we will see the Barça of the first half or, as the FCB fans are hoping, the second half of the match v Valencia.
Prediction: FC Barcelona 3 FC Copenhagen 1.
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