Lions defeated in Bernabeu
by Joe Short
FC Copenhagen proved a strong test for European football’s elite despite a 4-0 loss to Real Madrid.
Two goals each from Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria earned The Galacticos three Champions League points but FCK had their chances inside the Bernabeu.
Nicolai Jørgensen headed onto the crossbar – only for Luka Modric to bundle clear off the line – while both Youssef Toutouh and Christian Bolaños went close.
The turning point came early when Ronaldo judged the flight of teammate Marcelo’s cross from the left with perfection, out-jumping Ragnar Sigurdsson at the far post and leaving Johan Wiland stranded.
From then on Madrid had control but the Lions will rue missed chances – especially Jørgensen’s header in the first half – that could have led to a different result on the night.
Copenhagen fans drown Bernabeu atmosphere
Head coach Ståle Solbakken made three changes to his squad that drew 1-1 with Juventus in PARKEN. The defence remained the same but Toutouh came in for Bolaños on the right wing, while Rurik Gislason and Daniel Braaten made it a five-man midfield. Nicolai Jørgensen started as the lone striker.
Backed by thousands of vocal fans up in the stadium rafters Copenhagen began with real intent, Gislason breaking forward to force a corner within seconds. Madrid were soon on the attack, however, when Marcelo found space on the left to whip in a ball to Karim Benzema, who glanced his header wide.
The Lions successfully withheld their opponents before venturing forward with the ball but were almost caught out on 14 minutes when Sami Khedira broke on the edge of Wiland’s box, only to fire high over the bar.
Real wouldn’t waste their next chance, however, as Cristiano Ronaldo found the net on his first effort of the game. Marcelo again provided the inch-perfect cross that looped over Wiland to the back post, where the Portuguese striker nodded in for 1-0.
Jørgensen inches from reward
Two minutes after the restart Di Maria shot a yard wide from close range and only a Sigurdsson block prevented Luka Modric adding a second. Copenhagen got their first shot on target on 27 minutes when neat build-up play between Jørgensen and Lars Jacobsen gave Toutouh time in the box but Iker Casillas matched the central effort.
Six minutes before half-time FCK had their best chance of the game when Jørgensen headed a Pierre Bengtsson corner onto the crossbar – the ball not crossing the line by fractions as Modric cleared on the whitewash with the possible aid of is hand.
A minute into the second half Modric was back in action, this time drilling a low effort wide of Wiland’s left-hand post, before Daniel Carvajal blazed over the same stanchion. Copenhagen held their own, however, and enjoyed forays into the Madrid box but without any end product.
Real score late as FCK push forward
Bolaños entered the field for Toutouh on the hour mark but Real had the ball in the net before the Lions could utilise him. Benzema back-heeled to Di Maria on the right of the box, the midfielder then flicking the ball over for Ronaldo to head home. It was Di Maria’s chip that wowed the crowd and gave Madrid a 2-0 lead.
Ståle quickly switched Braaten for Fanendo Adi up front and FCK pushed forward looking for a goal. At the back, Olof Mellberg delivered a perfectly-timed challenge on Ronaldo but moments later it was 3-0 when Di Maria broke on his own and curled a left-footed effort past Wiland.
Jørgensen retired for Thomas Kristensen with 16 minutes left and the game started to stretch – FCK playing some nice football. Ronaldo shot direct at Wiland on 80 minutes while at the other end Adi was inches away from a clean strike after Kristensen had pulled away at the back post to lay off.
Deep into injury time Di Maria added a fourth for Madrid after a mistake in the FCK backline, before Casillas was called upon to stop Bolaños’ one-on-one effort and Adi’s very late header from a corner.
The result leaves FCK third in Group B, with a trip to Galatasaray next up for the Lions.
Highlights, player interviews and Ståle's press conference will follow shortly
REAL MADRID: 4 FC COPENHAGEN: 0
Real Madrid: Casillas, Varane, Carvajal, Pepe, Marcelo, Khedira, Illarramendi, Modric, Di Maria, Ronaldo, Benzema.
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Mellberg, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Claudemir, Toutouh, Delaney, Gislason, Braaten, Jørgensen.
Goals: Ronaldo, Real Madrid (22’, 65’), Di Maria (71’, 90+1’).
Referee: Matej Jug (SVN).
