Brann vs Hacken

Brann’s Strong First Leg Advantage

Norway’s league runner-up, Brann, established a strong advantage in their Europa League qualifier, securing a 2-0 away victory against Hacken in Sweden. This dominant performance came despite an early missed penalty, as Freyr Alexandersson’s squad effectively exploited their opponent’s vulnerabilities, putting themselves in a commanding position for the return leg.

Preparation and Team News for Brann

Adding to their advantage, Brann has enjoyed a full week of uninterrupted preparation for this crucial second leg, a luxury afforded by their domestic schedule. As clear favorites, they are poised to confirm their advancement. While Opsahl and Torsvik are sidelined, these absences are not anticipated to significantly impact Brann’s performance.

Hacken’s Challenging Schedule and Performance

Hacken’s recent heroic progression past Anderlecht on penalties (aggregate 2-2, won shootout) came at a cost. Unlike their opponents, the Swedish side was not granted any fixture postponements by their domestic league, leaving Jens Gustafson’s squad grappling with a congested schedule and significant injury concerns. Their 0-2 defeat in Norway was immediately followed by a disappointing 0-0 league draw against Degerfors, underscoring their current struggles.

Injury Woes and Current Form for Hacken

Consequently, Hacken finds themselves in a four-match winless streak in their domestic league. Key players such as Wembangomo, Vaisanen, Laursen, Hammar, and Gustafsson are still on the injury list, severely depleting critical positions. The relentless fixture congestion is visibly taking its toll, leaving the squad struggling for form and fitness.