Neestrup reacts to semi-final first leg defeat
F.C. Copenhagen lost 3-2 at FC Nordsjælland in the first leg of their Danish Cup semi-final on Wednesday – and head coach Jacob Neestrup admitted his frustration after the game.
The Lions at one stage were 2-1 up thanks to goals from Diogo Gonçalves and Jordan Larsson. But a late winner for the hosts means it's all to play for in the second leg in Parken next week.
"It annoys me that we have lost today, because I really feel that we had to win this game," says Neestrup.
"We got off to a good start, but after we fell behind, we lagged a bit. At least from the 20th minute until they equalised, we were really good and clearly the better team. We enjoyed massive dominance of the game and we create a lot of chances, and so it is disappointing for me that we needlessly conceded from two corners when we have performed so well.
"But there is a return match in a week, and we also have to come up here again in a week and a half in the Superliga, and the players will come away with a good feeling that we can perform on this pitch. It was us who played with the most speed today, and as I said, it is our own fault that we did not also win.
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"We made a lot of rotations before the game, partially in relation to the pitch up here, but also because of our upcoming programme, and I think it worked out perfectly, so I have no regrets.
"Jordan and Diogo showed themselves really well, Diogo was in his best position and didn't start so well but really grew into the game, and Jordan was dangerous both as a winger and as a No 9.
"Of course, it was not the plan for Valdemar (Lund) to go off, but without knowing a more detailed status I don't think it is something that will keep him out of Sunday's game. The substitution of (Lukas) Lerager at half time was purely tactical and also to spare him a little, because we think that the match was so much in our favour that we would like to have an extra ball player in there. It also helped us become more dangerous, at least until the 75th minute, and then we conceded those goals from corners.
"Or at least a goal in the corner, because the second is a stupid penalty, which is of course correctly given according to the rules, but just unfortunate. But that's how it is.
"We are another F.C. Copenhagen team at the moment, because we have many good technical players, and we are fully aware that this can have some consequences on set pieces. But I still don't think we should have lost this match, and not even a draw, but we should have won."
F.C. Copenhagen host Brøndby in the Superliga on Sunday in front of a sell-out Parken crowd. There are still tickets available for the second leg of the Danish Cup semi-final with FCN, played at Parken on Thursday 4 May.