Lions take 1-0 lead to France

21/08 2012 23:23

César Santin’s first-half header was enough to earn FC Copenhagen a vital 1-0 win against LOSC Lille in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoffs on a memorable night in PARKEN.

by Joe Short

FC Copenhagen headed into their first leg of the playoff for UEFA Champions League qualification with a couple of changes made from the squad that drew 1-1 with Brøndby at the weekend. Bryan Oviedo moved up to the left wing while Nicolai Jørgensen partnered César Santin up front in place of Andreas Cornelius.

Lille had the first major chance of the game after just six minutes; despite FCK’s good start Salomon Kalou worked his way free in Johan Wiland’s box but the Lions keeper did well to block with his feet. Moments later and Thomas Kristensen stung Mickaël Landreau’s hands with a long-range effort.

After an opening quarter-of-an-hour where Copenhagen controlled possession, Lille were offered a major chance to take the lead. Oviedo felled Kalou in the box and referee Marijo Strahonja rightly awarded a penalty before Dimitri Payet stepped up to sidefoot to Wiland’s left. The keeper matched the penalty kick however, diving across goal to push the ball to safety!

Santin scores crucial FCK goal

Copenhagen continued to dominate the ball, creating half chances for Oviedo and Santin but by the half-hour mark they had not made full use of their 57% possession. Marvin Martin blazed an effort high over Wiland’s crossbar on 31 minutes, while at the other end Christian Bolaños was denied an opening goal only by Aurélien Chedjou’s deflection.

Yet FCK would get just reward for their hard work on 38 minutes when Santin headed home to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. Lars Jacobsen was allowed to push forward without a challenge and the captain chipped in a delightful cross for the unmarked Santin, who glanced the ball off the post and into the net.

Head coach Ariel Jacobs chose not to make a change at half time and FCK came back out for the second half with as much vigour as the first. They had to be patient however, often passing across Lille’s box looking to puncture their defensive line.

Lille take control but cannot find the net

Túlio de Melo forced a sprawling save out of Wiland on 57 minutes, the keeper pouncing to his left to block de Melo’s flick. Wiland forced the resulting corner over the crossbar before Ragnar Sigurdsson defiantly headed clear the subsequent danger. Five minutes later Wiland tipped over another header to keep Lille at bay as the away side cranked up the pressure.

In effort to inject some life in the Copenhagen Jacobs brought on Cornelius for the hard-working Santin who had led the line incredibly well. Yet Lille continued to move forward and were only prevented from drawing level thanks to a resolute FCK back four. With 14 minutes remaining Pierre Bengtsson almost struck a wonder goal with a left-footed drive that whistled past Landreau’s left post.

Oviedo, who had been a constant frustration for Lille’s defenders all night, came off moments later for Thomas Delaney. With seven minutes to go Copenhagen had a great chance to double their lead when Jørgensen spearheaded a counter attack. The striker had options left and right but chose to fire high over the bar instead, much to the frustration of the PARKEN faithful.

Lions see out memorable victory

Just two minutes before full time substitute Martin Vingaard almost gave FCK a valuable second goal with a bending free-kick that narrowly curled away from Landreau’s top corner. Kalou then entered Wiland’s box in the dying seconds but Delaney was there to clear as PARKEN held its breath.

The crowd was finally relived as the referee eventually brought the game to a close to confirm Copenhagen’s 1-0 aggregate lead. Jacobs’ side now has a week to prepare for the reverse leg in France, with Champions League action the prize.

FC COPENHAGEN: 1 LOSC LILLE: 0

FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Jacobsen (C), Stadsgaard, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Bolaños, Claudemir, Kristensen, Oviedo, Jørgensen, Santin.

LOSC Lille: Landreau, Digne, Rozehnal, Béria, Chedjou, Balmont, Martin, Mavuba (C), Kalou, de Melo, Payet.

Goals: Santin (38’).

Referee: Marijo Strahonja (CRO).