Nilsson tastes first FCK win
FC Copenhagen were victorious in their second friendly of pre season, with a 1-0 win over Austrian champions Sturm Graz. César Santin scored the only goal of the game, a penalty after Dame N’Doye had been fouled at the end of the first half.
by Joe Short
1,800 spectators had found their way to the showdown between the Danish and Austrian champions and they were rewarded with bright sunshine and a compact, friendly atmosphere in 26º heat.
Both teams struggled to find any rhythm in the opening stages. Graz’s first threat was dealt with well by Kim Christensen, while N’Doye could only find the advertising boards after being played through one-on-one after some good buildup play by Santin and Thomas Kristensen.
The Austrians began to play their game after 20 minutes, resulting in Christensen’s crossbar being rattled. Graz then generated a couple of long-range efforts, but neither troubled the FCK keeper.
Grindheim dictates play
In the Copenhagen ranks, Kristensen and Christian Grindheim were getting more and more of the ball. Good runs, hard tackles and quick passing meant the duo pulled the team back into the game. On the half hour mark Johan Absalonsen played Pierre Bengtsson down the left flank where the Swede delivered an excellent cross to Santin, who laid back to N’Doye. Unfortunately, the resulting effort hit the Graz keeper rather than the net.
Two minutes later and Grindheim became the architect, finding Santin in space. However, the Brazilian’s acute angle meant his shot could only find the side netting.
With four minutes of the half remaining FCK were handed the opportunity to take the lead. Again, Grindheim was involved when he found Bengtsson with a long ball. The Swede played the ball over to N’Doye, who was taken down in the area, and thus awarded a penalty. Santin did what any cool-headed striker should do, slotting home with ease to put the Lions 1-0 up.
Ring in the changes
Head coach Roland Nilsson made changes at half time, Johan Wiland replacing Christensen in goal, while Martin Bergvold came on for Absalonsen.
It was Wiland who would be in more demand early on, showing his class as a good Graz attack was well shut out by the Swedish goalkeeper. On the defensive front, it was clear the FCK back line were switched on: often catching a Graz attack in an offside position as they pushed up together.
After an hour of play on came Kenneth Zohore and Morten Nordstrand for Santin and N'Doye. These changes were followed by more in the 75th minute, Grindheim and Claudemir leaving the field in favor of Youssef Toutoyh and Saban Özdogan, while Johnny Thomsen also departed a few minutes later, giving Christoffer Remmer some playing time.
Wiland keeps clean sheet
Towards the end of the match Graz began their hunt for an equaliser, and they came close on two occasions. Sölvi Ottesen was there to divert a dangerous attempt, while Wiland had to pull out a top-class save in the final minute as the pressure mounted.
But FCK held, and in doing so Roland Nilsson saw his side keep their second clean sheet of pre season, while giving the new coach his first taste of victory in a Copenhagen shirt.
FCK’s next opponents are FC Volga Novorod. The Russian side awaits the Danish champions for another 18:30 (CET) kick off, scheduled for this Thursday.
STURM GRAZ: 0 FC COPENHAGEN: 1
FC Copenhagen: Christensen, Thomsen, Ottesen (C), Sigurdsson, Bengtsson, Claudemir, Kristensen, Grindheim, Absalonsen, Santin, N’Doye.
Goals: Santin (41’).
