Neestrup: Situation for Spurs clash similar to Chelsea

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup says the team is in a similar position to when the Lions faced Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League in March, ahead of tonight's UEFA Champions League clash with Tottenham.

FCK are in London for tonight's 9pm (CET) kick off against Tottenham, with Neestrup's side unbeaten in three games.

Still, the autumn has not gone fully according to plan and the boss acknowledges the challenge that lies ahead for his side, drawing parallels to our two-legged clash with Chelsea back in the spring.

"We are going to play our absolute best to deliver a good result, that's what we are here for," Neestrup said on Monday.

"The last time we were in a really tough period, which was a little shorter than this one, we also faced a team from the top of the Premier League (Chelsea). Even though we didn't win, we delivered two top performances, and we have to find that tomorrow. I have great faith that we can do that."

The game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the Lions' 26th match of the season already.

Neestrup was therefore asked about squad rotation due to the tight match schedule.

"There are five days until the next game, and it's our fourth successive game with a three-day gap between them," he said.

"There are very few players who can handle playing four games with three days' rest. So there will be rotations, but all those who are doubtful have made the trip to London.

"I clearly announced before the Dortmund game that Elyounoussi might have played, and I feel that with the situation we were and are in, it would have been irresponsible to take a chance.

"There is no one here whom we are taking a chance with by sending them onto the pitch, and we are going to field the team that we think is the strongest."

Neestrup was also asked about Tottenham facing their own headwinds, as they head into Tuesday's game having lost their last two outings.

"If they have a headwind, then it still must be stronger in Copenhagen than in Tottenham, because they have had a pretty good start (to the season) and you can't say that the teams above them (in the Premier League) are not talented.

“Thomas Frank has a really good team, which goes without saying when you are at the top of the Premier League. There is speed in more or less every position, and there is physicality, and compared to ourselves and all the talented teams we face at home in the Superliga, everything is just a level or two higher.

"That is just how it is, and how it should be, but we are not without a chance.

“We are facing a really good team, but I believe that we can get our chances, and we must make sure to take them.

“If we are to secure a win or a point, we must perform at the top in all parameters. I believe that we can, with and without the ball. We must first and foremost be good as a team, and if we are, it increases the likelihood that our best players can hit their greatest strengths on the day.”

Asked about his relationship with Tottenham manager Frank, who managed Denmark's youth teams and Brøndby before moving to England, Neestrup added: "We are not friends but good acquaintances, and we have mutual friends with whom we are close.

"I have known him for many years with a bit of distance, and the first time we met, he and Brian Riemer were coaches at Hvidovre's U17-U19 team, and I was with KB's U19 team."

"Thomas is a pleasant and very warm person - even though he has been a coach out in Vestegnen," Neestrup added with a smile.