Ståle: Unbeaten record doesn't bother us

Ståle Solbakken insists FC Copenhagen’s unbeaten start to the season has no bearing on tonight’s Champions League clash with Club Brugge.

The Lions are yet to lose in 18 games this season and suffered defeat only twice in the latter half of last term.

FCK drew 1-1 with Porto in their opening group game a fortnight ago and manager Ståle is confident his side can pick up more points in tonight’s 20:45 kick off.

“The players do not think about statistics but they feel good about themselves and there team-mates when they go on the field, and everyone knows what to do,” Ståle said. “It is the most important thing.

“Sooner or later we're going to lose a match - but it doesn’t really worry me that much.

“Hopefully it will not happen tomorrow because we can better tolerate it in the Superliga with 36 matches than in a group stage with six games.”

FCK went behind to Porto in Portugal two weeks ago but fought back through Andreas Cornelius’ header to secure what could prove a crucial point in the mission to progress from the group stage.

And Ståle is happy that the squad has the fight in it to come back when conceding.

“We have fallen a goal behind in Romania, Cyprus and Portugal (this season) but every time the players have fought back and got a draw,” he said.

“It also helps to provide security. But we also learned that when we face teams with players of a very high level that we will have problems if we do not play to our very best.”

FCK captain Thomas Delaney is one of the players who was with the squad during the 2013 Champions League group stage and the 2010/11 campaign.

And the midfielder admits he feels more comfortable this time around.

“It was shortly after Ståle had come back and had taken over and there was probably a little more fear in the team and maybe even awe,” Delaney said.

“Today we have a completely different team, where we are much more confident of what we're getting into.

“I do not know if we are even better than the 2010 team, but the depth and the competition is certainly greater in the current squad.”

Right-back Peter Ankersen believes Porto remain favourites to win the group as the Portuguese side travel to Leicester for their second match tonight.

“I think that they are the strongest team but we have still have a chance to beat them here in Telia Parken,” Ankersen said.

“This game today is a key battle because it probably will be us, Brugge and Leicester fighting for second and third place.

“But there are still four games left in the group after tomorrow.”