Aarhus travel to Lech decider without key man Links

Lech Poznan will host Aarhus GF in the return leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie with a significant advantage, but the build-up has also brought a notable setback for the visitors. Aarhus have travelled to Poznan without Gift Links, one of their standout players from the first meeting.

Lech in control before the return leg

The Polish champions are in a strong position after last week’s first leg in Randers, where they won 4-1. Mikael Ishak, Patrik Walemark, who scored twice, and Terry Yegbe were on target for Lech, while Kristian Arnstad scored for the Danish champions.

That result has naturally increased expectations around Lech’s chances of progressing to the third qualifying round, where Sabah Baku are already waiting after beating KuPS 3-0 on aggregate. Even so, Lech head coach Niels Frederiksen has warned against any drop in focus before the second leg.

“We have to approach this match with 100 per cent concentration, because football has already seen situations when someone came back from such a result. We must avoid a situation in which the opponent starts to believe they can turn the tie around. Concentration and humility should lead us to victory. We want to play intelligently above all. We have our strategy and plan that we want to show on the pitch,” Frederiksen said at the pre-match press conference.

Aarhus arrive weakened in Poznan

Aarhus have already trained on the main pitch at Enea Stadion ahead of the match, but Danish reports say they have made the trip without Links. According to TV2 Sport, the South African remained at home despite playing 88 minutes in Sunday’s league match against Broendby, which ended 1-1.

No reason for his absence from the squad for the game against Lech has been confirmed in the source material. What is clear, however, is that Aarhus are missing a player who caused problems in the first leg.

Why Links matters

Although Links was booked for simulation in a duel with Terry Yegbe during the first meeting, he was still one of Aarhus’ brightest performers. His movement and direct running repeatedly tested Lech’s defenders and offered one of the few attacking sparks for the Danish side.

With Links unavailable, there are indications that 18-year-old Tomas Kristjansson could come into the starting line-up. The Icelandic youngster has replaced Links late in each of Aarhus’ last two matches.

• Lech Poznan lead the tie after a 4-1 first-leg win.
• Aarhus GF have travelled to Poznan without Gift Links.
• The return leg is scheduled for Wednesday 29 July at 19:00.
• Sabah Baku await the winner in the next round.

A major opportunity for Lech

For Lech, the situation is promising but not yet complete. The margin from the first leg gives them control of the tie, and Aarhus’ squad issue only adds to that sense of opportunity. Frederiksen’s message, though, is clear: the job still requires discipline, concentration and a measured performance.

With a place in the next round within reach and the visitors missing one of their most dangerous players, Lech have every reason to believe they can finish the task in Poznan.