Midtjylland beat FCK 1-0
FC Copenhagen needed a win in their penultimate game of the season to ensure their lead at the top of the Superliga stayed at least a point over FC Nordsjælland. Head coach Carsten V. Jensen changed his first XI around from the cup-winning side in midweek, bringing back César Santin and Dame N’Doye up front.
by Joe Short
A re-structured defence saw Johan Wiland back in goal behind Sölvi Ottesen and Ragnar Sigurdsson, while Christian Bolaños replaced Pape Pate Diouf on the wing. FCK started the brighter of the sides, N’Doye with the game’s first effort from a close free kick: Jonas Lössl with no problems saving.
At the other end Johan Wiland pulled off a magnificent save on seven minutes to deny Jude Nworuh from close range after Danny Olsen had dragged the ball back to the Nigerian. Jakob Poulson was next to test the FCK keeper, shooting at Wiland from distance minutes later.
Lössl then did well to prevent Christian Bolaños from stealing in from the Copenhagen right wing, blocking the Costa Rican’s shot for a corner; before N’Doye hit the side netting after picking up Ottesen’s long ball to turn and shoot.
Barrage of FCM attacks
On 33 minutes the Lions pressed again, Claudemir receiving a high ball on the right wing and with a low cross found Santin at the near post, but the Brazilian’s attempt was blocked. Yellow cards were then given to both N’Doye and Sigurdsson as FCK battled for possession, the scores level at 0-0 at half time.
It took a while for the first goalscoring attempt to come after the restart: Midtjylland’s Rilwan Hassan beating Lars Jacobsen before shooting at goal. Wiland again did well to buffer the effort away, collecting the following loose ball at Nworuh’s feet. On 54 minutes Jesper Juelsgård played a deep ball into the box where Erik Sviatchenko rose to beat both Wiland and Ottesen, but his header bobbled across the face of goal.
On 66 minutes the Midtjylland pressure finally told, as Olsen swung in a free kick that missed everyone to bounce into the far corner of Wiland’s net.
Copenhagen can’t find finish
FCM’s 1-0 lead was not put under much threat until seven minutes before full time, Sviatchenko blocking Bolaños’ shot before N’Doye sent a free kick wide of Lössl’s left-hand post.
Copenhagen could offer no more as Midtjylland saw off the victory in control. The 1-0 loss means FCK drop down to second place in the Superliga with just one game remaining. CV’s men must beat Silkeborg on Wednesday evening and hope AC Horsens can take all three points off top-of-the-table Nordsjælland if they are to life a fourth consecutive Superliga trophy.
FC MIDTJYLLAND: 1 FC COPENHAGEN: 0
FC Midtjylland: Lössl, Lauridsen, Afriyie, Sviatchenko, Juelsgård, Poulsen, Uzochukwu, Olsen, Igboun, Nworuh, Hassan.
FC Copenhagen: Wiland(C), Jacobsen, Ottesen, Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Bolaños, Claudemir, Kristensen, Vingaard, Santin, N’Doye.
Goals: Olsen, FC Midtjylland (66’).
Referee: Jakob Kehlet.
