FCK rock Brøndby 3-1
Following their UEFA Champions League exit in midweek, FC Copenhagen have the domestic title solely to focus on for the remainder of the season. With 12 games left in the Superliga, Ståle Solbakken’s side got straight back into the action at PARKEN, with a clash against old rivals Brøndby.
by Joe Short
The most notable absentee from the squad that started in Stamford Bridge was Martin Vingaard. The winger came under an innocuous challenge half way through the second half in London, and was carried off immediately. Vingaard has suspected knee ligament damage, and could be out of action for up to six months. Jesper Grønkjær therefore fell back into the midfield, leaving César Santin to accompany Dame N’Doye up front.
Maybe Copenhagen were still a little jaded from their midweek match, for it took a while for the home side to get into the game. Jesper Grønkjær had a golden chance to open the scoring after just two minutes – sending a free header over the crossbar – but apart from this chance the majority of play came from Brøndby, who maintained possession confidently in the opening stages.
Only quick thinking from Mikael Antonsson prevented BIF from taking the lead, when captain Michael Krohn-Dehli weighted a perfect pass through to Jan Kristiansen. The midfielder was about to pull the trigger when Antonsson threw his body at the ball to clear the danger.
Agger gives BIF the lead
The majority of possession that Brøndby enjoyed finally paid off when Nicolaj Agger turned sharply to score from the edge of the penalty area on 25 minutes. Johan Wiland was well beaten from Agger’s left-footed volley: even though he got two hands on the ball he could only parry it into the side of the net.
In return, Santin almost got on the end of a Claudemir low cross after the Brazilian had worked well to get to the byline, but BIF goalkeeper Stephen Andersen palmed comfortably away. Just before half time FCK threatened again, but it was clear the Brøndby defence would need something special to break them down – Claudemir’s low, weak effort from the edge of the area far from troubling Andersen.
The half time break saw a formation change in the midfield. William Kvist came off for Christian Bolaños, who went straight out to the right wing as Claudemir moved into his more comfortable central midfield role to partner Thomas Kristensen.
Immediate second half response
The tactical move worked almost instantly; for it was clear Bolaños’ introduction added a spark to the FCK attack. Santin came close to scoring a minute after the re-start, but the BIF defence managed to clear. They were not so fortunate seconds later however, as Santin became the bane of the Brøndby goal as he did back in September. N’Doye got on the end of a Zdenek Pospech cross, but his headed effort struck the post. As it rebounded back into play, Santin crept behind his marker to nod in a simple yet crucial goal for the Lions.
The goal provided Copenhagen with the momentum and confidence to surge forward in search of another. Kristensen was held back to mop up any BIF counter attacks, leaving Claudemir, Bolaños and Grønkjær to do the tricky work. Indeed, Grønkjær almost provided N’Doye with a golden opportunity, but his drilled ball across goal missed the striker by inches.
The sought-after goal came in the 69th minute however. Bolaños found himself in acres of space outside the box, turned, and played Pospech through on the right wing. The Czech chipped over a delightful cross from the byline, and all N’Doye had to do was rise above his marker – a typical trait of the tall striker – and head powerfully past Andersen to make it 2-1.
Grønkjær pounces to secure victory
With 20 minutes still to play, it appeared FCK were content with their one-goal lead, as they sat back and maintained possession on their back line. Nine minutes after N’Doye’s header, Jens Larsen could have equalised for BIF in much the same way, but his headed effort soared over Wiland’s crossbar; and, in the 89th minute, the Swedish keeper did well to read a wicked deflection off a Mike Jensen drive.
It seemed Copenhagen would see the game out in the corner flag, but the temptation to score another against your bitterest rivals was evidently too much. Grønkjær showed he’s still got the spring of a 19-year-old when he ducked right to find space in the area, took a touch, and found the bottom-right hand corner with the final kick of the game.
The 3-1 win may well come as a relief for FCK fans, who at one point could have been justified for being a little nervous as the players walked down the tunnel for half time. The three points stretch Copenhagen’s lead at the top of the Superliga still further – now standing at 21 points over second place OB – and while domestic football takes a week off for the international break, no doubt Solbakken will be looking to further the Lions’ fortunes when they meet Esbjerg in a fortnight.
FC COPENHAGEN: 3 BRØNDBY IF: 1
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Wendt, Zanka, Antonsson, Wendt, Kristensen, Claudemir, Kvist (C), Grønkjær, Santin, N'Doye.
Brøndby IF: Andersen (GK), Wass, Stenderup, Frederiksen, Randrup, Krohn-Dehli (C), Jensen, Kristiansen, Nilsson, Jallow, Agger.
Goals: Agger, Brøndby IF (25’), Santin (47’), N’Doye (69’), Grønkjær (90’).
Referee: Peter Rasmussen
