BK Hacken boss Per-Mathias Hogmo has warned Aberdeen will face a far stronger team on Thursday than the one they defeated in 2021.
The Dons overcame the Gothenburg outfit 5-1 at Pittodrie in the Europa Conference League second qualifying round two years ago.
Hacken won the return leg 2-0 in Sweden – but still crashed out 5-3 on aggregate.
Speaking at the Bravida Arena in his pre-match press conference ahead the sides squaring off again – this time in a Europa League play-off tie over the next two Thursday nights – Hogmo recalled he had to field two untested youngsters for debuts in the Euro clash with Aberdeen two years ago.
He also reckons they were on course to pull off a dramatic 4-0 turnaround in Gothenburg to shock the Dons, only for a sensational comeback to be derailed by a red card to Patrik Walemark with 20 minutes remaining.
Currently second in the Allsvenskan and 20 games deep into their league season, Hogmo warned Hacken are a far stronger proposition now.
Hogmo, who led BK Hacken to the Swedish league title last season, said: “It was a hard year for us in 2021.
“When I came we were bottom of the league and I remember in the away game against Aberdeen, we had to put in two young players.
“We tried to get 4-0 at home and got to 2-0, but then received a red card… and it didn’t happen.
“I didn’t feel good in those games, but that was the start of a process of building a new team and new philosophy.
“You saw that last season. We have made a lot of changes.”
New Hacken signing Laursen to make debut against Dons
Hogmo’s Hacken are fighting to retain their Swedish title this term, and trail leaders IF Elfsborg by a single point.
Earlier this week, they sold star Danish under-21 international full-back Kristoffer Lund to Italian club Palermo.
However, the Gothenburg-based club moved quickly to sign left-back Jacob Barrett Laursen from Belgian top-flight club Standard Liege.
Former Juventus youth academy defender Laursen played 22 games for Standard Liège last season.
Laursen will be available to make his debut against Aberdeen on Thursday.
I dag genomförde Jacob Barrett Laursen sin första träning för Bollklubben 🐝#bkhäcken
— BK Häcken (@bkhackenofcl) August 22, 2023
Hogmo said: “We are well prepared and super-motivated for the game.
“The energy of the players has been great, even though we have had a lot of games.
“We are doing well in the league, so have a lot of confidence.
“But we know we are coming up against a club who are used to playing in Europe.
“Our players are learning all the time, they have played more games at this level now so we are confident.”
Hacken ‘have scored 50 goals in 20 league games’, with just ‘three players left’ from 2021 Reds meeting
Hogmo was talking before taking his squad out for a training session on the artificial pitch at the 6,300-capacity stadium in Gothenburg which will host the Europa League play-off first leg between Hacken and the Dons.
Pittodrie boss Barry Robson sent a scout to Hacken’s home clash against IK Sirius on Sunday.
BK Hacken twice fought back from behind and grabbed a dramatic winner five minutes into injury time to win 3-2.
Hogmo said: “We have a big motivation for the game.
“We are taking steps forward with every game, we are getting players back from injury and new players have come in.
“I am happy with where we are and our way of attack as we create chances and score goals.
“We have scored 50 goals in 20 league games and our defence has been good.
“I think we are improving from week to week so we are looking forward to playing Aberdeen again.
“Both teams have made a lot of changes since we last played.
“I have three players left and I think Aberdeen only have one.
“Aberdeen is a club with a great history so we will put all we can into going through to the group stages.”
Hacken plan to ‘open up’ Aberdeen in Sweden
Hogmo has studied Aberdeen closely in the build up to Thursday’s crunch first leg clash.
Aberdeen recently signed Republic of Ireland international Jamie McGrath to take a summer signing spree to 10.
McGrath has flown to Gothenburg with the Dons and is in contention to make his Dons debut against BK Hacken on Thursday.
Next stop, Gothenburg 🇸🇪 ✈️ pic.twitter.com/P2Y5Kwtqrg
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) August 23, 2023
Hogmo said: “I have been looking at Aberdeen recently.
“They are a good collective team, who are physically strong.
“Aberdeen play direct football and run in behind. They are aggressive in their pressing.
“They have a clear way of playing football, but we have played those kind of teams in Sweden, so we know how to cope with that.
“Hopefully we can use our advantage here at home to find the spaces which will come when we open them up.”
BK Hacken captain upbeat for tie
BK Hacken captain Samuel Gustafson echoed his manager’s quiet confidence ahead of the clash with the Dons.
The 28-year-old Swedish international midfielder said: “The team is in a good place, we have good energy and good vibes.
“I think it’s hard to tell who is favourite – it’s two strong teams with two different styles.
“That’s the interesting thing about European games. Who knows what will happen.”
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