Strikers earn narrow victory

The Number 10 training ground opened its gates to approximately 300 spectators on Saturday afternoon for FC Copenhagen’s penultimate friendly before their European clash with Chelsea. Visitors Elfsborg brought with them a band of hardy Swedish supporters, who were vocal throughout the match.

 

by Joe Short

 

The starting line-up was slightly different from your usual FCK XI, as changes were made throughout the park because of the international break that saw some players travel back to their respective countries. Therefore, a back-line of Pierre Bengtsson, Jos Hooiveld, captain Mathias Zanka and strangely Martin Bergvold took to the field.

 

The midfield looked more familiar however: Claudemir and TK held the centre as Martin Vingaard and Jesper Grønkjær spread to the wings. Up front the evolving partnership of César Santin and Kenneth Zohore would flourish once more.

 

Santin strikes early

 

Indeed, it took just two minutes for the opener to come during FCK’s first attack. Santin showed good technique to half-volley a loose ball left of the goalkeeper and in off the post. Celebrations were fairly muted, as the game had hardly begun.

 

The goal appeared to be somewhat of an anomaly in the opening furrows, yet after 15 minutes Santin could have had a second from a corner; but former FCK keeper Jesper Christiansen was there to block the fumbled effort. It was a day of recounting old friendships for Christiansen, who played for the Danish champions for five years.

 

Elfsborg began to find their footing as the half progressed and mustered a few chances themselves. Oscar Hiljemark flicked over on 23 minutes, before a mazey run from Amadou Jawo that got both Zanka and Hooiveld in a twist resulted in the ball looping kindly over the top to safety. In the 28th minute, centre back Jon Jönsson thundered a free kick narrowly wide of Kim Christensen’s right-hand post.

 

Goalkeeper reactions keep opponents at bay

 

At half time coach Ståle Solbakken withdrew Grønkjær for Danni Jensen, who fell in to the right back position, pushing Bergvold to a more familiar midfield role. Yet it was Zohore who would threaten the most in the second half. Neat play from Santin and Vingaard set Zohore free in front of goal, but his effort was well saved on 54 minutes.

 

At the other end, Anders Svensson had an effort deflected before Jari Ilola tested Christensen’s reactions, firing a bullet from distance that the FCK keeper forced over the crossbar. In a quick counter attack, Zohore laid off to substitute Saban Özdogan, who in turn played the ball into Vingaard’s path. However, the less said about the winger’s ballooned shot the better.

 

With nine minutes to go Copenhagen got their second. Vingaard played Zohore through – who ran the line beautifully – and was left to drop his shoulder, open up his body and shoot powerfully into the net before neither goalkeeper or defender could properly react.

 

All in all a respectable win for the Lions, who now have just one game to go before the UEFA Champions League. On Tuesday they face Rosenborg, the team Solbakken’s side eliminated en route to the group stages of Europe’s top club competition. There is therefore no better opponent to play as a pre-cursor for elite football than a side who has played in the tournament already this season.

 

F.C. COPENHAGEN: 2  ELFSBORG: 0

 

FC Copenhagen: Christensen, Bengtsson, Hooiveld, Zanka (C), Bergvold, Vingaard, Kristensen, Claudemir, Grønkjær, Santin, Zohore.

 

Goals: Santin (2’), Zohore (81’).