Neestrup: One of the greatest European displays in FCK history
Jacob Neestrup says the fact his F.C. Copenhagen players have their UEFA Champions League fate in their own hands heading into the final group game of the autumn is testament to the squad's hard work and commitment.
The Lions earned a 0-0 draw at Bayern Munich on Wednesday to remain second in Group A heading into the last round of matches.
FCK take on Galatasaray on 12 December in Parken knowing a win will see them through to the last-16 for only the second time in the club's career. A draw would also suffice if Bayern avoid defeat against fourth-placed side Manchester United.
Reflecting on the game in Munich, Neestrup says: "It was a very, very good and solid performance, one of the greatest European displays in F.C. Copenhagen's history.
"We did what we had to do to get points down here, and if you look at both games we've played against Bayern, they may have had more of the ball but it's completely equal in terms of chances and goals. I am very satisfied with that. It's not undeserved that we got the one point today. After all, not many teams have managed to do that in Bayern's Champions League home games.
"We tried to play our game and it worked best in the first half, but in the second half we would have liked to have been on the ball more and made a few more turnovers. But I think we defended really well throughout the game, even if I would have liked to see us push a little higher once in a while."
Attention now turns to Sunday's final league home game of the year against AGF, before a Danish Cup double-header against Silkeborg. After that, preparations begin for welcoming Galatasaray to Parken.
"We've now played five fairly even games in the Champions League, apart from the first quarter in Istanbul and the first quarter against United," says Neestrup.
"We've performed really well in seeking to pick up points, and we have the opportunity to decide everything ourselves in Parken against Galatasaray.
"However, it can still go wrong and we could end up last in the group. Of course we have to go out and give everything we have to progress in the Champions League after Christmas. That is the objective we have always had, and we have put ourselves in a situation now where we can decide it for ourselves.
"I'm looking forward to that evening in Parken but now it's primarily about AGF on Sunday. We made a fool of ourselves in Viborg, so we need to get some points on Sunday in order to play Champions League football next season too."