Stage: Parken return is what we've worked towards

Jens Stage says the F.C. Copenhagen squad is ready to get going again when the Danish Superliga season resumes this weekend – and the midfielder believes the fans in Parken can help bring home the points against OB.

FCK kick off 2022 against Odense on Sunday at 6pm. More than 25,000 fans have already got their tickets for the first game back after the winter break.

And Stage reckons this Lions side is primed to put on a show.

"This is what you work towards all winter, and we are all really looking forward to getting started again," says Stage.

"It's a really interesting spring. We're in there and we have to come out with lots of energy and intensity from the start, because it will definitely be a close battle for the top places in the table.

"Our goal is to win the championship and we have to play well too."

FCK head coach Jess Thorup has some new faces in his squad following the January transfer window. Khouma Babacar, Nicolai Jørgensen, Denis Vavro, Paul Mukairu, Akinkunmi Amoo and Mamoudou Karamoko have all arrived – and Stage believes the team now has a foundation to develop further.

"I have followed the interest that this match has been getting - and a lot of fans are ready to turn up at Parken on Sunday. It gives us a huge motivation and we know it will be a great atmosphere, so it is perfect for us.

"The new guys have all settled well into the squad and they all have quality in their own way. I think they've helped us become a stronger squad overall, although we have also lost a top player in Jonas Wind.

"Of course, there are some relationships we need to work on even more, but this is really talented bunch of players who will help us in the spring and in the longer term as well."