Ståle: We're getting better on artificial turf

F.C. Copenhagen boss Ståle Solbakken is happy the Lions have recorded strong results on FC Nordsjælland's artificial turf in recent times.

FCK ended a run of six years without a win at Farum back in 2018 and are now four games unbeaten in Farum.

And Ståle believes his players are ready for Sunday's Superliga battle.

"It helped that former players such as Thomas Delaney, William Kvist, Federico Santander and Andreas Cornelius are with us!" joked Ståle. "Because of the fighting on artificial turf."

"The matches in Farum are often even and close, but we have gotten better and better at their place as we have brought in other types of players.

FCK going in right direction
"Players who can handle the ball along the ground in a different way, whereas the others were heavier and more physical players.

"We've won the last two and played out two draws, so it's gone in the right direction. But we also know that there are phases in the game where we're being tested and where we might also be misjudging something because of the pitch. But it looks like we've gotten a lot better at it, and no matter what, of course we go into the game to try and win."

FCK have eared six points from two games since Danish football returned after the coronavirus break.

And Ståle believes his men can get even better.

"We've played three good halves and one weak one," he said.

Kaufmann/Daramy excelling
"When we started the right training again after the coronavirus pause, we trained a lot with Viktor Fischer and Jonas Wind. But when they both dropped out injured alongside Robert Mudražija, we had to create a mixture of known and new systems. Mudražija is not seriously injured and may soon start training again.

"In terms of age, Mikkel Kaufmann and Mo Daramy are not a typical FCK attacking pair. But they have been preferred because they have complemented each other the best.

"Michael Santos is better than Kaufmann in some areas and better than Mo in some areas, but the two have clicked better together. Coming up are more periods of three games in eight days, so we will need more players again."

Not thinking about FCM
F.C. Copenhagen remain nine points behind league leaders FC Midtjylland. But Ståle isn't dwelling on a title push just yet.

"We're not thinking about it, we're just concentrating on going out and winning our matches," he added.

"After the coronavirus break there were 12 games left and so far we have won the first two, so now there are ten left and we will stay focused on winning the next one."