Neestrup hails 'fantastic performance' as Champions League draw looms
F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup says the 2-0 win over FC Basel in Parken on Wednesday was just reward for the hard work delivered from everyone at the club to secure Champions League football for this season.
The play-off victory in front of a sold-out Parken means the Lions enter today's League Phase draw at 6pm CEST.
FCK battled through three qualifying rounds to make the Champions League this season, having won the league and cup double last term.
And Neestrup believes the praise deserves to be spread across the city – from the players and staff to the fans.
"We love to give great experiences to our fans in the form of titles, trophies, and big games, and in the end it's about creating memories," says the boss.
"That's what this club is built on, not least great European memories, and hopefully there will be many more to come.
"It's just a fantastic performance by this team, when you think back a year ago, when we were 3-0 behind in Farum after half an hour and were in the middle of rebuilding a new team. But now we're here a year later and have won a championship and a cup, and are playing regularly in the Champions League. It's fantastic, and I'm just happy for everyone."
The win over Basel means FCK enter the Champions League main draw today for the third time in four seasons. However, the competition has changed since the Lions were last in the group stage in 2023/24 – when we finished seconds in a group alongside Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Galatasaray.
“This is the third time in four seasons, and neither F.C. Copenhagen nor any other team in Danish football has achieved this before," says Neestrup.
"It's impressive, but even though it has now happened again, it's far from something that can be taken for granted. It's really difficult to win the Superliga, but with the coefficient points Danish football has achieved, you cannot take it for granted that a Danish champion, whether it's F.C. Copenhagen or not, will play as much Champions League as we have done in three of the last four seasons."
FCK's European campaign began in the Champions League second qualifying round on 22 July against Drita and encompassed a two-legged victory over Malmö before this month's showdown against Basel.
To date, the Lions won eight competitive games this season, drawing three and losing just one.
“We have had to go through six qualifying matches (this summer) at the same time that we've had to perform in the domestic league to maintain the possibility of another championship and another Champions League campaign a year later," adds Neestrup.
"It's not easy, and that is why I am extra proud of this performance, where F.C. Copenhagen have once again – like many times before – fought our way into the main tournament.
“In a short time, we have managed to build a team that plays with a great deal of responsibility in these qualifiers, where we only conceded one goal in six games via a penalty in Basel.
“It shows our international level, and it shows that these boys have got the European mindset under their skin, which we have been known for for many years with many different head coaches and players.”
Reflections on Wednesday's win
Assessing the 2-0 win over Basel, Neestrup says: “If we look at the match, we were not good in the first half, but I also think it's good that you can see the difference when we've played 12 matches in succession with three or four days between them, while Basel’s schedule was tailored to provide optimal conditions to get into the Champions League.
"That was the feeling I had, and that only makes our performance even greater.
“But our big experience in these games is that we stay calm, even when we are under pressure, like we were in the first quarter in Basel, for example. Even though we didn’t do well enough in the first half today, we didn't give away any chances and stayed completely in the game, and I think we grew as the game progressed.”
A different mindset in the league phase
Now attention turns to today's UEFA draw, where FCK will learn our four home and four away opponents for the League Phase.
“You also have to remember that these are the worst games to play," says Neestrup, reflecting on the play-off. "It’s about not exposing yourself and only about one thing, and that’s advancing. We didn't expose ourselves, but it’s going to be different now that we have more to win than we have to lose.
"We also saw that in the group stage two years ago, so you can expect a team that comes out with a different mindset, because now we are here! Again!
"We have to perform, even though there will be strong opponents along the way. But now the conditions are equal, because now all matches are played twice a week, and we are looking forward to that."