Svensson looks ahead to Sunday's derby

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Bo Svensson says Sunday's derby at Brøndby will be a test of his team's mental preparedness and calls on his players to take their chances when they arise.

The Lions sit top of the Danish Superliga after eight games – three points ahead of FC Midtjylland, while Brøndby are fifth.

A win would ensure FCK head into the international break as league leaders and extend the team's Superliga winning streak to five games.

But although things are moving in the right direction at the top of the Superliga, Svensson insists that a derby will demand something extraordinary from the team and staff.

"We need to build on our good run of form and the group we are currently developing," says the head coach. "But we all know that a derby takes on a life of its own.

"History and current form count for nothing once the whistle blows. It’s about being 100 percent mentally ready from the start and maintaining the right attitude right up to the final whistle."

Seizing the decisive moments
Derbies are rarely decided by chance; often, the outcome hinges on who is sharpest at capitalising on the key moments that arise during the 90 minutes.

"In matches with such high intensity and so much at stake, specific moments always arise that can tip the balance," adds Svensson. "It could be a counter-attack, a set-piece, or an individual piece of skill.

"Our task is to be sharp and alert enough to be the ones who seize those moments when they occur.

"The team is bursting with energy. We go into the match feeling fresh, with a healthy dose of opportunism and, above all, immense excitement about playing such a fantastic game. These are the kinds of matches you live and breathe for as a player or coach."

Brøndby vs FCK kicks off at 2pm on Sunday.