Kvist: FCK ready for Europa League test

F.C. Copenhagen face FC Sheriff tonight in a crunch Europa League tie at Telia Parken.

A win for FCK will see the team safely through to the Europa League knockout stages.

And captain William Kvist is confident the Lions can get the job done.

"Even if we advance from the group, it will not save our autumn season,” said Kvist.

“It will be no more than a patch on the wound.

"We're looking forward to it if we are to play European football in the New Year, because it has always been a goal for the club.

“It also gives us some extra motivation during the winter break.”

F.C. Copenhagen sit third in Group F of the Europa League, with a win over Sheriff enough to see us through to the last-32 stage.

The Lions have won one and drawn three of their five games so far, which includes a 0-0 draw at Sheriff back in September.

FCK head into this clash after losing 3-1 to FC Nordsjælland in the Alka Superliga on Sunday.

And Kvist admits the result has affected the team’s preparation for this clash.

"We may have spent half a day more than usual in getting that game out of our system, and we have talked about what should be done better,” he said.

“But otherwise we have tried to put it behind us and just focus on the next match.

“It is clear that this autumn not many of us can claim to have been at our best.

“That also applies to myself, there are passes or defensive actions in my game that I could have done better.”

FCK manager Ståle Solbakken also spoke to the media on Wednesday evening and said: "Even when the draw was made we expected this match to be crucial, so we are here at the ‘final’ match as we had hoped.

"We do not want to go out with a headless attack because they have good counter-attacking players up front.

"Sheriff always play with five defenders and they have a strong and robust defensive unit that does not panic, which makes it hard to create big chances. It may be difficult to get through, but I think that we can put pressure on them. It may be a patience test.”

The match kicks off at 7pm tonight.

Tickets for FC Copenhagen v FC Sheriff are still available to buy here.