F.C. Copenhagen-Randers FC 2-1 (2-0)
After 84 consecutive games in the starting line-up since May 2005, Lars Jacobsen ended his record streak due to a hamstring, and the versatile William Kvist had to took care of the right back-position against Randers FC. Jesper Grønkjær was back in his favourite position on the left midfield, which gave place for both Berglund and Allbäck in the frontline.
Superleague-newcomers Randers FC won the Danish Cup last year as a first division-side and besides gaining vital experience in the UEFA Cup this autumn, they have gathered 22 points in the league, which seem to be plenty to stay clear of the relegation zone in the last 15 rounds after the winter break. But this Sunday afternoon – in a postponed match from the third round - they never really came close to points against the champions, even though the narrow 2-1-win indicates a certain amount of tension.
Atiba Hutchinson set up both Copenhagens goals...
It was the two Swedish strikers, Marcus Allbäck and Fredrik Berglund, who got their names on the scoresheet before half-time, but much of the credit goes to Atiba Huthcinson. First he set up a fine chance for Jesper Grønkjær, who slipped on the muddy surface but still managed to get the ball across to Allbäck for the first goal. And later Hutch laid a perfect ball over the Randers-defence right in the feet of Berglund, who easily found the back of the net behind Randers-keeper Martin Jensen.
However, it didn’t go quite as easy for the eager Berglund in the rest of the game, as he missed several gigantic chances, which should have sealed the game long before Randers suddenly came back with half an hour to go.
Marcus Allbäck is brought down by Ralf Pedersen
Seconds after he left the bench and came into action, Tidiane Sane found space between Hangeland and Gravgaard and picked up a pass from Kenneth Møller, and slotted the ball home past Jesper Christiansen. But apart from this, the well-organized defence didn’t give anything away, when Randers – probably also to their own surprise - suddenly seemed to have an equalizer within reach. Though several Copenhagen-players looked were tired – which is understandable regarding the intensive match programme this autumn - they somehow found the strength to keep Randers away from chances during the rest of the match, and extended their lead at the top of the table to six points.
When Copenhagen beat Ajax 2-0 in Amsterdam and for the first time qualified for the UEFA Champions League, it was common regarded that the European adventure easily could cost a few points in the domestic league. And when the first game after the triumph in Amsterdam was lost at home to Aalborg, Ståle Solbakken and his players seemed to accept this price. But Ståle never failed to mention that the Superleague had first priority, and two months later he can look back on 9 victories and 3 draws after the Aalborg-defeat – and two victories in the Danish Cup. Not to forget the 4 points in the Champions League, which nearly was enough to keep the hopes of a third place in the group alive. So after all it has been a fantastic year for F.C. Copenhagen - and it's not over yet!
Early Christmas-celebrations in PARKEN today!
All photos by Carl Redhead
Matchfacts:
F.C. Copenhagen-Randers FC 2-1 (2-0)
16.: 1-0 Marcus Allbäck
35.: 2-0 Fredrik Berglund
58.: 2-1 Tidiane Sane
Attendance: 23.512
F.C. Copenhagen: Jesper Christiansen – William Kvist, Brede Hangeland, Michael Gravgaard, Oscar Wendt – Atiba Hutchinson, Tobias Linderoth, Hjalte Nørregaard (66.: Martin Bergvold), Jesper Grønkjær (78.: Jeppe Brandrup) – Fredrik Berglund (66.: Michael Silberbauer), Marcus Allbäck. (Un-used substitutes: Dan Thomassen, Nikolaj Hansen, Martin Bernburg, Benny Gall)
Bookings: Hjalte Nørregaard and Tobias Linderoth
