FCK through to Champions League playoffs

Goals from Andreas Cornelius and Bashkim Kadrii fired FC Copenhagen into the UEFA Champions League playoff round as the Lions beat Dnipro 2-0 in Telia Parken to ensure safe progression.

by Joe Short

Returning for the second leg after a gritty 0-0 display in Kiev, FCK drew first blood when Pierre Bengtsson found Cornelius free in the box to slide home the opener.

Kadrii doubled Copenhagen’s lead with a superb solo goal after half time, turning on the acceleration just outside the box before drilling a left-footed effort low past goalkeeper Denys Boyko.

Dnipro had their chances, most notably a superb block by Per Nilsson when Stefan Anderson’s clearance went straight to Serhiy Politylo.

But is was Ståle Solbakken’s men who came out on top on a memorable night in Telia Parken.

Watch match highlights on FCKTV now

After the game, FCK.dk spoke to Lions players and staff about the result:

Thomas Delaney 

- This was a really good game, we had control over it and really delivered a performance at a high level. We were best throughout the 90 minutes.

Stephan Andersen 

- It was a nice match of the team, a disciplined effort. Every man worked well and showed tremendous fight and determination. The win is 100% earned over the two matches played. We had the best chances this evening and can now celebrate because we deserved to win 2-0. 

Daniel Amartey

- It was a good game and a victory for the whole team - for all men delivered the goods in the form of a very disciplined effort. We battled hard, put up a good fight and took advantage of the chances we got.

Watch match highlights on FCKTV now

Danny Amankwaa 

- It was important for us that we got shut down their wings. We quickly found ourselves 2-0 up in the second half and then closed the game down. It's great to go through and now it will be exciting to see who we meet in the next round. 

Per Nilsson 

- We have played two near-perfect matches and today we had full defensive control. We were the best team and it was a real fight. Tactically we provided two perfect displays and it is this level that we must build on the way forward. 

Copenhagen CEO Anders Hørsholt 

- “Miracles can happen in Telia Parken," said Ståle Solbakken, and he was right. So what can I say: We love the Champions League!

FC COPENHAGEN: 2 DNIPRO: 0 (2-0 agg.)

FC Copenhagen: Anderson, Høgli, Bengtsson, Nilsson, Zanka, Amankwaa, Amartey, Delaney (C), Jørgensen, Kadrii, Cornelius.

Dnipro: Boyko, Mazuch, Kankava, Polioviy, Konoplyanka (C), Matos, Bartulovic, Douglas, Fedetskiy, Politylo, Matheus.

Goals: Cornelius (36’), Kadrii (52’).

Referee: Duarte Gomes (POR).