Neestrup and Mattson react to 2-0 win over AaB
F.C. Copenhagen beat AaB 2-0 on Monday evening to kick off an intense period of fixtures for the Lions.
Second-half goals from Magnus Mattsson and Mohamed Elyounoussi secured three points in Parken – a result that lifts FCK to third in the Danish Superliga table.
The Lions now face four more games between now and the next international break in 12 days.
And head coach Jacob Neestrup was delighted with the display and the result.
"We were in full control from start to finish, and although it took time to break down AaB's structure, we played maturely and solidly and with great patience," says Neestrup.
"We got the goals we needed to secure the three points. The only small point of criticism is that we probably should have had one or two more goals, considering our play and the chances we created.
"But otherwise it was close to the perfect home game, where we didn't give them a single chance in the whole match.
"We had the first big chance after half an hour, and we created enough to lead by a couple of goals already at the break. But we kept going and I sat here all the time with a good feeling that we'd probably get what we needed. We never let go of the game, not even after either the first or the second goal.
"The team is well on its way now. I had the same feeling from the derby and when we lost to FCM. This is a team in progress, both collectively and with the new players who are adding all the time. We have also benefited from having nine days on the training pitch since the last game, and I think you could see that today.
"At the same time we are looking forward to the next few weeks. We start the cup on Thursday, which is a tournament we really want to win, and then there is European football next week, so there is a lot to look forward to."
Mattson scored the opener for FCK when chesting Mohamed Elyounoussi's cross into an empty net midway through the second half.
Discussing the match, he says: "Collectively, it was a really good effort all round. I think we were really solid and could also have won by more than two.
"Personally, I'm also happy to score. We had discussed to Nickolai, our set-piece coach, about them being vulnerable on the counter, especially after corners, and Elias, me and Corner took advantage of that and ran down towards their goal.
"You have to praise Elias, because it's a really well-made goal, and I didn't have to do much in the end."
Next up for FCK is a Danish Cup trip to HB Køge on Thursday, before the Lions visit Vejle BK in the Superliga on Sunday.