Venue: Parken Stadium Date: 12/12/24 Time: 17:45 GMT
With just two games to go, Hearts’ chances of securing an automatic qualifying spot in the Conference League hang in the balance as they travel to Copenhagen for the group stage’s penultimate game.
Having started the campaign with two wins against Dinamo Minsk and Omonia, the side were defeated by Heidenheim and Cercle Brugge, failing to score a goal in either fixture and falling down to the middle of the pack.
In FC Copenhagen they face a side similarly underperforming in Europe.
Having beaten Kilmarnock in the Playoff round, the Danes have managed just one win so far against Dinamo Minsk. A crucial three points recovered for their hopes following draws with Istanbul Basaksehir and Real Betis and defeat to Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
Shankland reborn
After scoring not one but two goals against Dundee at the weekend, Lawrence Shankland no doubt felt the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders.
Thirteen games felt like a hundred as the striker simply could not find a way to break his duck, with sections of the Hearts fans singling him out as the cause behind their league struggles which have left them sat in the relegation play-off spot.
To his immense credit, all throughout the barren spell Shankland persevered with attempts at goal and impressive link up play, biding his time for the opportunity that looks set to turn his season around.
What a relief it will be for Neil Critchley whose side have not so much failed to create chances, averaging ten shots a game, but put them away, converting a meagre 12% of attempts.
The Edinburgh side depended heavily on their talismanic striker last year, Shankland’s contribution of thirty-one goals seconded by Kenneth Vargas’ paltry nine in comparison and they will need call on him once again to revive a flailing season.
Despite earning himself a suspension for their trip to Kilmarnock at the weekend, Shankland will need all his mental strength to carry their campaign on his shoulders once again
Table topping Danes and a familiar face
Manager Jacob Neestrup will be under no illusions that his side have underwhelmed in Europe’s tertiary competition, having exceeded expectations on its biggest stage last season.
Coming second in a group featuring Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Galatasaray was far better than most predicted, especially considering the performance they put in to beat United 4-3 before taking a point against the Germans.
Ultimately they were soundly beaten 6-1 on aggregate by Manchester City in the Round of 16 but it is little surprise that Copenhagen currently sit top of the Danish Superliga, unbeaten in nine league games.
Whilst Hearts have their Shankland, Copenhagen’s potency is spread more evenly across the squad. With Orri Oskarsson, Viktor Claesson and defender Kevin Diks contributing twenty-one goals between them.
However, the jewel in this multi-pronged crowned is a man who might be familiar to Scottish Premiership fans.
Mohamed Elyounoussi’s time at Celtic last just a year and a half but he will remain a part of the club’s history forever as a member of the 2019-20 treble winning side.
For the past two seasons the Norwegian international has been the side’s most valuable player, topping their current campaign’s goals and assists charts with seven and six respectively.
Hearts defenders will have their work cut out trying to keep him quiet this evening.