Neestrup previews FCK vs Napoli showdown
Jacob Neestrup spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League showdown with SSC Napoli in Parken Stadium.
The FCK head coach was fielded plenty of questions from journalists in the room - so here's an overview of what he said.
Where we stand
"It's always hard to say, because a training match is one thing. But I can see that we've got some freshness back. You can see that the smiles are back and that's important.
"There's been a good spark in the squad, and I think we've had an excellent (winter training) camp. Everyone has trained hard, and we're injury-free, except for the two cruciate ligament injuries, so all in all it's positive."
About the short turnaround before games begin again
"I think it's to our advantage that the winter break isn't as long as it usually is, and where the tempo shock can be as big as we previously experienced in February, when we met Manchester City.
"And I also think that it's a little more fun to play a game like this here, compared to out on Pitch 1 at home at KB."
On the Lions' chances on Tuesday night
"There is a chance to win. Even though we face a big club, a big team, big players and a big coach, there is a chance for us. We have to do everything we can to take handle it.
"Now we have put ourselves in the same situation as two years ago, when we got seven points in the last three games, a little out of the blue against Galatasaray, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
"We beat Kairat Almaty and Villarreal and have put ourselves in a position where we are playing to advance in the Champions League. And that is a task that we will pursue until it is no longer possible."
About the League Phase table
"I think that with 11 points, you're in the top 24. Ten points, you're probably in, but no guarantee. We'll see. That requires us to get at least three points in the last two games, and that's going to be difficult."
About Napoli's injuries
"Their coach has to answer that. I think all coaches feel that way, that you want to have your best players available. Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game, we know that all too well at our club.
"F.C. Copenhagen have done that all season, and we still have a couple of really, really good players out with long-term injuries, and we've had that for the last four months. Now we're down in numbers, but we've been high up, so injuries are part of football, that's the case for Napoli, and that's the case for F.C. Copenhagen.
"But no matter who comes, they're a class team, and we'll have tough opposition here."
On Andreas Cornelius being available
"It's important! In relation to the frustration that I've often had if Andreas hasn't been there, it's basically because I think he's a really good footballer. In the periods when he's been healthy and fit, he's had a huge impact on our team.
"The only period when Andreas has been on the pitch and it hasn't been resulted in good results, it's been during the tough period that we've been through recently. But when he's been healthy and fit, he's a really, really good striker that I like to play with."
On Rasmus Højlund
"He's at a club with a coach who uses him exactly as he should be used. The way he uses his body, both against the ball and especially deep, and the way they set him up from the wings and get the ball into the box.
"We all know in Copenhagen that Rasmus is an extremely hard-working player, so playing under Conte suits him well. When you analyse Napoli and Rasmus, it's quite easy to see that Rasmus is in a really good place, also compared to when we met him against Manchester United two years ago. So good work by Napoli and the coach and of course also by Rasmus, and we are pleased.”
