'We're not afraid to give youngsters a chance'
F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jess Thorup once again iterated his faith in the Lions' youth set-up after Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson and William Bøving put in exceptional performances in the 4-4 draw with PSV on Thursday.
The two FCK Talent Department graduates started at the Philips Stadium, and within eight minutes Ísak had opened the scoring.
Both players were eventually subbed off – Bøving being replaced by another youngster in Roony Bardghji – and Thorup was all praise for the duo.
"We're not afraid at F.C. Copenhagen to give youngsters a chance, no matter what age level they are," said the head coach.
"We have a big squad and one that we saw a couple of months ago that we started the first half season with a lot of youngsters.
"They had valuable minutes in the first team, so whenever we give them the chance they're ready to take them. Two of those guys – Ísak scored a goal and Bøving played amazing for the 60 minuets he had on the pitch. They were amazing, both of them."
Roony, 16, made his European debut on Thursday night when he entered the field with 15 minutes to spare, and FCK 4-3 up.
And Thorup explained his instructions for the teenager.
"I was actually in doubt as to whether or not I should play him at the start," said Thorup. "Because he has done well since the start of the season.
"I spoke to him before the game and told him that I considered the last 30 minutes to be important, because the second half would be more open and he would have more opportunities to get in there and finish the game for us.
"Again he gets a lot of experience coming on the pitch against a strong opponent, and he did what he had to do. Today he played more as a striker than as a winger, which is what he's more used to."
