Madsen reflects on start of FCK career
F.C. Copenhagen's new signing Mads Emil Madsen has featured in four of the Lions' five matches since joining the club at the start of the last international break.
With two starts and two substitute appearances spanning the Superliga, Danish Cup and Champions League, it's been a busy start to live in the Danish capital for Madsen.
FCK.dk caught up with the 27-year-old in the team hotel is Baku ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Qarabag.
“It's been a good start, but also a bit hectic, because I came in late in the transfer window and during an international break, where many (of my teammates) were away, and we had a long weekend off,” says Madsen over a cup of coffee.
“It's always a bit difficult at first to get into a team when the season is well underway, but I think it has gone well. There are some good people here, both in and out of the squad, and I am just quietly getting more and more involved in everything.”
Madsen joined the club from AGF, where he had spent the last three seasons. Considering his role in Parken compared to Ceres Park, he says: “It’s a slightly different role than when I played in AGF, because we normally play with four at the back, whereas I played with three at the back for a long time at AGF.
"So it’s a bit different in terms of the defensive set-up, like when to follow a man and when to stay in space. Here, the sixes stay in space more and make sure to close areas, whereas at AGF it was a bit more man-to-man.”
Is this why FCK fans haven't yet been treated to Madsen's famous long-range shots?
“Ha! I haven’t had time to play that much, but I hope to come forward more," he says. "I also think that I’m meant to be the more offensive of the two sixes, but it’s also about getting the structure under control and being solid before you start to go forward too much."
Madsen grew up in Jutland before joining Silkeborg as a youngster. He made his debut for the JYSK Park club and has enjoyed stints at Austrian side LASK and Slavia Prague in the Czech top flight, before returning to Denmark.
Looking back at the last few weeks living in Copenhagen, he says: "At first I lived in a hotel, but I actually just checked out before we traveled here, and have booked an Airbnb while I'm still looking for something more permanent to live in.
"I think it will be a couple of months in an Airbnb, but it will be nice now to have a kitchen and a fridge!
"When you change clubs, there is always something you have to deal with off the field, and it has been a bit stressful here in the beginning, but it is still easier to move to Copenhagen from Aarhus than if you come from abroad.
"Many of the foreign players live down by Sydhavnen, but I want to come in and experience Copenhagen, so I'm thinking of finding something in Frederiksberg or some other nice area."
Discussing his time in Copenhagen over a coffee in Baku means the conversation naturally turns to Wednesday evening's showdown with Qarabag.
Madsen was a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw with Leverkusen during the opening match of the League Phase – and he is able to draw on past European experience for these sorts of games.
“At LASK we played the Europa League group stage, and the following year at Slavia Prague we played in the Conference League, where we reached the quarter-finals and were eliminated by Feyenoord," he says. "So I have played in both tournaments, but not the Champions League until now.
“But it’s the same way you do things with travel, training and so on, and I have also played twice a week for a longer period before, even though I didn’t always play as much as I hope I will do here at F.C. Copenhagen.
“I have not been to Azerbaijan before, but have been to Turkey and England, among other places. When I was at LASK, we faced Tottenham, who we will also meet later in the autumn, but unfortunately it was during Covid with empty stands.
"Fortunately, it is very different now, and I am happy to be here and looking forward to the upcoming matches. It will be great!"