Goal-crazy Brondby would be happy with a 0-0 as Hibs visit in Europa League crunch

BY ALAN TEMPLE, COPENHAGEN – @CCP_Sport

Alexander Zorniger may have led his team to 15 goals in his first four matches in charge – but the Brondby manager insists he will happily draw a blank against Hibernian tonight.

The Danish giants have enjoyed a blistering start to life under their new German boss, progressing past Valur 10-1 on aggregate in their previous Europa League tie.

They followed that up by defeating Hibs by one goal and registering a 4-0 win over Esbjerg in their Superliga opener on Sunday.

However, Zorniger is more proud of his side’s defensive stability at the Brondby Stadium and insists he would happily take a 0-0 draw against Neil Lennon’s visitors.

He said: “We’ve had three clean sheets in a row and that is more important to me than how many goals we have scored.

“The best thing for us would be to get another [clean sheet].

“But we won’t be playing solely for 0-0. This team can’t do that. We expect to play the same way we have for the last few weeks because right now we’re playing at a good level.

“But if Hibs push forward for the goal they need then we will have more space, but I’m sure Hibs will be confident of finding the right balance to play against us.”

Meanwhile, Zorniger insists he is braced for a traditional scrap with the Hibees, as defenders of the “original” qualities of football.

He added: “It is difficult to judge exactly what the performance of Scottish teams are – or Irish teams or the Northern Irish. If you look at the game last week, we know that we will face a team with major qualities.

“These are the original fighting qualities of football and when you bring that to the pitch – as Scottish teams do – you can never be sure what will happen as an opponent. I’m sure Hibernian will show that.”