Neestrup eyeing first-leg lead in Parken tonight

Jacob Neestrup says his F.C. Copenhagen players are desperate to reach the Danish Cup final again after winning the league and cup double last season.

The Lions face Silkeborg IF in Parken tonight (8:15pm kick off) in the first leg of their quarter-final showdown.

The reverse fixture is penned in for Saturday, while the semi-finals are scheduled for next spring and the final once again being held in Parken in May.

To repeat the success of last year, head coach Neestrup reckons a win in Parken tonight is crucial.

"The goal is that over these two games we succeeded in progressing to the semi-finals because it is a big goal for us to make the cup final again," says Neestrup.

"It is a big event and one of the trophies that we have the opportunity to win.

"We face a skilled opponent (on Thursday) who, in their own way, can make life difficult for all teams.

"Therefore, it is important that we take the initiative in the match and from there create chances, as we have done in the Superliga recently.

"We know that it's not enough "just" to create the opportunities. We have to find the net when the chance presents itself.

"We know that in terms of results we have had a disappointing last week and therefore we are all very keen to bounce back in the two quarter-finals – starting tonight in Parken."