Svensson: Now we begin the next phase

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Bo Svensson says the team has delivered on Phase One of his return to Parken, with work now to begin on the next phase.

The Lions wrapped up the season by qualifying for European competition once more – via a 3-1 win over Brøndby in the Superliga's European playoff on Thursday.

The result – which went to extra time after Aurélio Buta's opener was cancelled out, only for Youssoufa Moukoko to score twice and secure the win – means the Lions will play in the Conference League qualifying rounds next season.

It was FCK's second stab at European football after the team lost the Danish Cup final earlier this month.

And Svensson was philosophical after the match at Brøndby Stadium.

"It was extremely important that we got this victory and are now ready to play in Europe again," said Svensson.

"It has been important this spring to stabilise our performances, start winning some games and then qualify for Europe. When it didn't work out in the cup final, it was good that we took advantage of the chance here in our second attempt.

"That said, we made too many mistakes today, because while we created chances ourselves through good play, they got their chances after big individual mistakes, where we slipped or threw the ball away. We were lucky several times that they didn't convert some of the chances that we gave them."

The win at Brøndby ends a long season for FCK, which began last July with a 3-2 win at Viborg in the Superliga, and encompassed a complete league phase of the UEFA Champions League and run to the Danish Cup final.

Reflecting on the game, Svensson added: "We are happy to win, as you should always be, and especially in a derby, but we have to be better at winning a game like this when we both have the numerical advantage and are leading the game.

"We threw it away once, when they equalised for 1-1, and we came very close to doing it again, when their goal for 2-2 was disallowed.

"But now we can breathe a sigh of relief after a tough season, and when things have gone the way they have, everything is of course up for evaluation. This was the first phase since I came in, and now we are starting the next one, which is about seeing where and how we can strengthen the team.

"Of course, we are already working on that, so that we can once again play for the championship and also play our way into the Conference League's league phase."