Denmark coach Morten Olsen is confident his side can overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit and qualify for the Euro 2016 finals when they host Sweden tonight at a sold-out Telia Parken in Copenhagen.
Substitute Nicolai Jorgensen’s 80th-minute goal kept Denmark’s hopes alive after Emil Forsberg and Zlatan Ibrahimovic had given Sweden a 2-0 lead in the opening leg in Solna on Saturday.
Olsen wants to end his 16-year reign in charge of the Danes in style by leading his country to another major tournament.
The 66-year-old, who has guided Denmark to the finals of two World Cups and two European Championships, will step down after Euro 2016.
“We have to believe,” Olsen said to www.mx.dk. “I think we have the players who can decide the match in Copenhagen.
“It will be a different game from that in Sweden.
“There is no doubt that the fantastic support I expect from our home crowd will be a tremendous help. It is up to us together with the crowd to make it happen.
“It is great that we get the opportunity to decide it all at home. During my time as national coach, we have qualified for major tournaments at home three times.
“Doing it in front of your own crowd is always special.”
Denmark, who finished behind Portugal and Albania in qualifying Group I, won two and lost one of their five home qualifiers.
Sweden ended their qualifying campaign behind Austria and Russia, respectively, in Group G.
They travel to Copenhagen after winning two and losing just one of their five away qualifiers.
The Swedes know what it is to lose against Denmark in a play-off tie. A 1-0 defeat to Denmark on October 2009 in Copenhagen saw Sweden miss out on the 2010 World Cup.
Sweden coach Erik Hamren’s biggest concern is having his players in good condition.
“I think it’s crazy that there is so little time in between games to recover,” Hamren said. “We hope to recover some players.
“We have the tie in our hands and we need to get the job done in Denmark.”
Sweden will be without centre-back Mikael Antonsson, who sustained a groin problem on Saturday. He is likely to be replaced by Besiktas defender Alexander Milosevic.