Neestrup: The perfect platform for our home leg
Jacob Neestrup says his F.C. Copenhagen players aren't celebrating just yet despite the 1-0 victory over Raków Częstochowa on Tuesday, with a reverse fixture in Parken still to come in this UEFA Champions League playoff.
An own goal was all that could split the teams in Poland, and FCK host Raków in the second leg next Wednesday.
"We got off to a really good start at a difficult away ground, but we haven't celebrated the victory in the dressing room because there is still work that needs to be completed in Parken next Wednesday," says Neestrup.
"I think we were good in the first half, where we did well to move the play up into their half. We also had some opportunities, but not really chances, because we were a little too passive in the transition from our build-up to closing out chances.
"At the same time, we didn't give anything away at the other end, although granted they had a goal disallowed just before the break. But it is clearly offside and it is no coincidence that we have trained the players to push forward in those situations precisely to create an offside.
"I'm also satisfied with the first half of the second half, even if we didn't move the game forward as much as before the break. We played too directly and became stressed a little too much."
'Almost perfect' defence
Kamil Grabara started in goal for FCK in Poland, while new recruit Birger Meling started only his second Lions game at full-back.
"Defensively we were almost perfect," adds Neestrup. "But in the last quarter we come under a lot of pressure. Of course that's not what we wanted but we will take the sting out of it when we switched to playing 5-4-1. They created some dangerous situations but no chances.
"So all in all, I'm satisfied by us coming here and winning. Not many teams do that, and in Europe they've beaten both Gent and Slavia at home. They're a club that has built a strong winning mentality and we have great respect for that when we head into the return match in eight days. Of course we now have a perfect starting point with a win."