Neestrup: Drita will be competitive tonight

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup says his players will have to respect Tuesday's opponents FC Drita as the Lions get their Champions League qualification campaign underway.

FCK kick off the second qualifying round in Parken on Tuesday (7pm) against the champions from Kosovo – a team we have never previously met.

"Drita are a team we must be able to defeat over two matches, but as always we have respect for our opponent," says Neestrup.

"Drita are a good example of a champion from a league with a lower ranking, but who have participated (in Europe) several times – including in Champions League qualification, and who have built up a lot of experience in playing these initial qualifying rounds.

"Of course we have studied them thoroughly and, among other things, watched their matches against higher-ranked teams such as Antwerp, Viktoria Plzen, Legia Warsaw and Feyenoord. Drita were eliminated from these qualifiers, but they found a way to make the matches as even as possible.

"We go into the game to win and to get the best possible starting point before the return match in a week."