Bo Svensson on Braga, squad rotation and Jonas Wind
F.C. Copenhagen face Braga in the UEFA Conference Leaguye on Thursday – and Lions head coach Bo Svensson is looking forward to playing in front of a noisy Parken crowd.
FCK head into the clash after defeat to FC Midtjylland over the weekend. And as attention switches to the European stage, Svensson is wary of what Portuguese outfit Braga will bring.
"Braga have played in European group stages for many consecutive years and reached the semi-finals last year, where they lost by a single goal to Freiburg – even after having a player sent off early on," says Svensson.
"That speaks volumes about a very good European side; they are accustomed to playing in Europe and have the experience to do so.
"They have experienced players and a style of play built around control. They are comfortable on the ball and capable of dictating the match. They rarely concede chances or goals, and they play with an aggressive approach when defending.
"Therefore, it will be crucial to strike the right balance. It’s about managing the rhythm of the game, identifying when we can find our own moments to keep possession, and recognising when we should hold back rather than chasing the ball – which would create gaps within our team.
"When you face a high-quality side, you are challenged in various ways. Thursday evening will undoubtedly require a top-class performance from us."
Congested fixture list requires rotation
Our participation in the Conference League means a congested fixture list lies ahead this autumn, featuring matches in the 3F Superliga, the Danish Cup and in Europe. This places demands on how the squad is managed, but it is also precisely the situation F.C. Copenhagen want to be in.
"We are very, very pleased to be entering a schedule like this," says Svensson. "We fought for this – first during the spring, and subsequently through the qualifying rounds. Being involved and competitive in all three tournaments is part of F.C. Copenhagen’s identity.
"Our attacking players and midfielders, in particular, cannot play two matches a week, week after week. So, it’s a matter of assembling the team and deploying players where it provides the greatest possible advantage for us."
Jonas Wind returns
Thursday's game may also feature a reunion with Jonas Wind, who returns to Parken as a Braga player, having left FCK in 2022 after coming up through the Talent Department and winning two Danish Superliga titles.
"He is a talented player who hasn't played much for Braga yet, so we’ll have to see how fit he is – whether he can start the match or come on later," adds Svensson.
"But I have no doubt that he will be highly motivated to return here. It’s a special experience, and I also know that Parken will give him a warm welcome. He is a significant figure in the history of F.C. Copenhagen."
Svensson also knows Wind from his own time as a coach in the Bundesliga, and says: "I’ve had the pleasure of playing against him a few times in Germany, and he’s tended to score every single time.
"He might not be the fastest, but he has a very high football IQ, superb technique, and his strengths lie in the penalty area and in his play with the ball. These are obvious qualities that we’ll need to try to contain if he plays."