Czech battle ends in 2-1 Euro loss

24/08 2011 23:36

FC Copenhagen donned their new lime green away kit for the first time as Roland Nilsson’s side aimed to overcome a 3-1 defeat against FC Viktoria Plzen in Prague. A place in the UEFA Champions League group stages was at stake, with the losing side moving into the UEFA Europa League.

by Joe Short

With Claudemir injured from the first leg last week, a hole in the centre of midfield needed to be filled. Morten Nordstrand took up this unfamiliar role, offering FCK an attacking option in the centre of the pitch. Thomas Delaney was handed a starting place on the left wing, with Christian Bolaños covering the right flank.

It was FCK who started the brighter, with the ball in their court considering the three-goal target before kick off. After two minutes Bolaños tested his shooting boots with a wide effort following quick, direct build up play. Plzen then saw a dangerous free kick blocked by the Lions wall as possession swung between the sides.

In the 13th minute Nordstrand picked up a ball from Bolaños to turn but fire over the crossbar, before a Copenhagen counter attack almost generated the first goal. César Santin found Bolaños who rode a challenge to cross into a sparse box, but before Santin could finish off the move goalkeeper Marek Cech punched clear.

Bolaños cracks in opener

The Lions’ attacking intent was obvious, but the away side still had to be wary of the Plzen break – their downfall a week ago. Indeed, after Pierre Bengtsson’s free kick failed to frighten Cech in goal, the Czechs almost scored on the counter. Rapid passing saw Marián ?i?ovsk? though one-on-one with Johan Wiland. The Swede made himself big and saved from close range to keep the scores level.

Indeed, the save would prove to be crucial as in the 32nd minute Copenhagen took the lead they had been searching for. A quick Nordstrand dummy gave Santin time to turn and play right to Bolaños on the edge of the box, who kept his head down to drive a shot past Cech and into the far corner.

No celebration came, for FCK still had a job to do. At half time the 1-0 scoreline will have pleased Nilsson and his squad, who fully deserved their lead.

Plzen hard to break down

The start of the second half saw the Danish champions forced into playing possession football, as Plzen defended with great resilience. Only a long-range Nordstrand effort dragged wide was what came of the opening stages, while at the other end Delaney and Mathias Zanka did well to push Daniel Kolá? away from goal, the forward initially one-on-one with Wiland.

As the clock passed the hour mark Plzen took the game into their own hands, and brought the tie level in the most clinical of fashions. After patient build up, Petr Jirá?ek got free down the Plzen left wing and delivered a perfect ball between defence and keeper. Both Zanka and Sölvi Ottesen were powerless to prevent Marek Bako? from tapping in at the far post.

The goal didn’t really affect FCK’s plan of needing to score three, and so the team maintained their search for goals after the restart. Substitute Johan Absalonsen controlled inside the box and fired at goal, only to see David Limbersk? block his effort and clear to safety. Nordstrand then had a weak header easily collected, as Copenhagen were forced to punt in balls from the wings.

Just not FCK’s day

After Nordstrand sliced a lose ball high over the crossbar on 77 minutes and N’Doye saw a well-struck effort tipped around the post moments later, it was evident this wasn’t to be FCK’s day.

Indeed, in the final stages Wiland was forced to make a magnificent save to block Michal ?uri?, but couldn’t do anything to prevent the same player scoring with the final kick of the game. With Copenhagen pushing men up the field, ?uri? took advantage to seal a 2-1 win for his side.

With a 5-2 aggregate loss, Copenhagen move into the Europa League group stage, where four teams from across the continent await. For Plzen, the glories of Champions League football – which graced PARKEN last season – is to come. Nothing more can be said other than the FCK team played their hearts out in search of goals tonight, but were beaten by a side that will no doubt cause some European heads to turn in the weeks to come.

FC VIKTORIA PLZEN: 2 FC COPENHAGEN: 1

FC Viktoria Plzen: Cech, Pilar, Limbersky, Horvath, Petrzela, Bystron, Jiracek, Bakos, Kolar, Rajitoral, Cisovsky.

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Thomsen, Zanka (C), Ottesen, Bengtsson, Nordstrand, Grindheim, Bolaños, Delaney, Santin, N’Doye.

Goals: Bolaños (32’), Bakos, Viktoria Plzen (67’), Duris, Viktoria Plzen (90+3’)

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (ESP).