'Everything is open' for return leg vs Basel – Neestrup

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup believes next week's UEFA Champions League play-off second leg against FC Basel in Parken will be a tight affair following Wednesday's 1-1 draw in Switzerland.

The tie remains in the balance after 90 minutes in Basel, where Gabriel scored FCK's equaliser moments before half time.

Reflecting on the match, Neestrup said: "As expected, it was a very even and balanced game, but we recovered well after a difficult start and showed great maturity and experience.

"After they took the lead, we were under tremendous pressure for seven or eight minutes, but we were prepared to come under pressure at times down here.

"You can easily get into big problems here if you quickly fall behind, but we handled it well. We didn't give up big chances, we got control of the ball, pushed the game up into their half and created a few opportunities, including a great one for Jordan and finally scored before the break from a set piece.

"They also started better after the break, but again we worked our way into the match well, and with a few exceptions it was also the closed match we wanted.

"Towards the end, when they were reduced to 10 men, we were of course chasing a winning goal, but still in a controlled manner, and there was only a centimetre or two between Cornelius and the offside flag when he scored."

Next up for FCK is a home clash against OB in Parken on Saturday as the Lions seek to continue their Superliga title defence. Then it's back to Parken on Wednesday for a reverse encounter with Basel.

"1-1 is a fair result, and everything is open before the return match," adds Neestrup.

"I also think it will be even and close in Parken, but right now we are only focusing on our next match, which is against OB in less than three days."