Delaney match winner in a fairytale comeback
The story couldn't have been written any better as the returning midfielder Thomas Delaney became the match winner with a headed goal to secure a 3-2 result against AGF in an entertaining, intense, and high-scoring match in front of 28,283 spectators at Parken.
"It was a very emotional experience," Thomas Delaney said after his comeback for FCK, six and a half years after leaving the club for a career in Bremen, Dortmund, Sevilla, Hoffenheim and Anderlecht.
"The fans gave me a tremendous welcome already during the warm-up, and I'm proud that I have left such a big impression. I am very grateful for that."
Delaney, wearing shirt no. 27, started on the bench in the clash against AGF, where FCK were trailing 2-1 at halftime after AGF capitalised effectively on some defensive misunderstandings. However, Jacob Neestrup chose to focus on the positives.
"We are trying to build a new defence, and our challenge is to do so while winning, which is why this victory is so important. But it's obvious that there are still things we need to work on,” he admitted.
Diogo Goncalves scored the goal in first half from the penalty spot, but there were a couple of chances for players like Orri Óskarsson, who optimistically has stated that he aims to become the Superliga top scorer.
It was also the Icelandic striker’s goalscoring instinct that brought the Lions level at 2-2 after 73 minutes when he chased a long ball, rounded keeper Jesper Hansen, and scored from a tight angle.
By that time, both Magnus Mattsson and later Victor Froholdt and Thomas Delaney had come off the bench, bringing new energy to the team. But for Delaney to also become the match-winner was almost more than the fans could have hoped for.
In the 77th minute, from a cross by Mohamed Elyounoussi, Delaney rose high and seemed to hang in the air longer than should be possible before heading the ball down into the ground and into the net, right by the post, where Jesper Hansen couldn't reach it in time to spoil a fairytale ending to the night's drama!
"I haven't come home to enjoy my retirement but to win championships and play in the Champions League – and to make my teammates better," said Delaney, who unsurprisingly was a clear winner in the fans' vote for Carlsberg Man of the Match.
"A lot has changed since I was last here in 2016. I've never seen so many fans in Parken during the school summer holidays, and FCK has a broader squad with many talented players and especially many more great young talents, whom I have a responsibility to help guide.”
Neestrup added: "Delaney naturally steals all the attention today, and that's how it should be, but I want to highlight all our five substitutes today, who brought a lot of quality to the team so we could turn 2-1 to AGF into a 3-2 win.”
For one of the substitutes, it was also a dream come true on an unforgettable night, when Neestrup showed confidence in newly promoted striker, Amin Chikha (18), by giving him his debut at Parken in the last 10 minutes, when AGF battled desperately for at least one point.
After two rounds, only FCK and Randers have maximum points, and these two teams meet at Parken next Sunday. Already on Thursday evening, the Lions play the return match against FC Bruno’s Magpies.
