2-0 loss in Europa League

10/11 2012 17:07

Two second-half Stuttgart goals downed FC Copenhagen in the fourth match of the UEFA Europa League, placing Group E in the balance with two games to go.

by Joe Short

Head coach Ariel Jacobs made just one change to the XI that started against AGF at the weekend, bringing in Christian Grindheim in place of Christian Bolaños for FCK’s UEFA Europa League game with Stuttgart. PARKEN also welcomed back former captain William Kvist, who started for Stuttgart in his familiar centre-mid role.

The game started evenly with FCK holding their own in the centre of the park, and PARKEN had to wait 15 minutes before the first real goalscoring chance. Andreas Cornelius was somewhat fortunate to receive a free ball square in the box when Kvist and Serdar Tasci confused each other, but the striker’s weak left-footed shot was easily blocked by Sven Ulreich.

At the other end Ibrahima Traoré sent an effort narrowly wide of Kim Christensen’s left-hand post, while Lars Jacobsen saw his effort blocked in the box for FCK on the counter.

Both sides waste chances

The stalemate continued and Kris Stadsgaard header from a long Claudemir throw couldn’t threaten Ulreich, while Thomas Delaney saw an effort dribble a few feet wide of the post moments later. Ten minutes before the break Delaney lost possession in the centre of the field, which led to a Stuttgart counter that should have resulted in a goal, but Martin Harnik shot off target from in front of Christensen’s net.

After half time Stuttgart moved further up the field and forced Christensen into a good catch from a corner one minute in. However, a further 15 minutes followed without much action, in which Nicolai Jørgensen came on for Grindheim after a month out with injury.

FCK should have netted when Claudemir spearheaded a spate of attacks, César Santin coming close to converting Delaney’s cross. Yet Ulreich made a good save and immediately instigated a counter: Christian Gentner stroking narrowly wide. With 14 minutes to go the breach was broken however, when the quiet Vedad Ibisevic rose between Stadsgaard and Ragnar Sigurdsson to head home Arthur Boka’s cross.

0-2 at the death

Two minutes later Jørgensen squandered a chance to equalise from the edge of the box, while Bolaños’ introduction instigated a period of pressure but FCK just could not convert. Indeed, two minutes into injury time, Harnik made space for himself on the edge of Christensen’s area before placing his effort into the top corner of the net.

The defeat means FCK now sit third in Group E, with a home clash against Steaua and a trip to Molde still to come.

FC COPENHAGEN: 0 STUTTGART: 2

FC Copenhagen: Christensen, Jacobsen (C), Stadsgaard, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Grindheim, Claudemir, Kristensen, Delaney, Santin, Cornelius.

Stuttgart: Ukreich, Sakai, Tasci, Niedermeier, Molinaro, Kvist, Harnik, Traoré, Gentner, Okazaki, Ibisevic.

Goals: Ibisevic (76’), Harnik (90+2’).

Referee: Craig Thomson (SCO).