Thorup: 1-1 Zenit test just what we needed

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jess Thorup said Thursday's 1-1 friendly draw with Zenit in Portugal was the test his side needed in preparation for the restart to the season.

While new signings Nicolai Jørgensen and Khouma Babacar got a run-out in the Algarve, it was youngster William Bøving who scored a second-half equaliser against the Russian side.

And Thorup was pleased with the performance of his troops. 

"It was exactly the test we had hoped for against a strong Russian team that comes straight from the Champions League and will play against Betis in seven days," said Thorup.

"It was the strong resistance we needed to be tested on all parameters and I saw the players play right to their limit and do everything they could.

"We saw during the match that we could play with ease, and I don't really remember Kamil Grabara making a save in the match at all. That also says something about our defensive structure working really well.

"Of course they had the ball a lot, because there were some hugely talented football players who we are up against, but again - that was what we needed and I think we handled it really well.

"We had more chances than them, some half-chances and then a really big one for Bøving before the break, where he almost connected to a ball from Nicolai.

"So in addition to practising our defensive structure, we also managed to create more chances and this was good to see."

Neither Jørgensen nor Babacar have been in action this year and Thorup was delighted to see them get run-outs.

"Nicolai played the first half, and we got to see what sharpness he has for the game, and he created a good relationship with Pep Biel in terms of who should drop off and who should run deep," added Thorup.

"Babacar played in the second half and came in with a lot of physique and power, and was also part of the goal that Bøving scored. They both got 45 important minutes in their legs."

Nicolai Boilesen also played his first minutes of 2022, but a little earlier than expected, because he had to replace David Khocholava in the first half, while Peter Ankersen came in for Kevin Diks shortly before the break.

"We didn't dare to take any risks and as soon as they felt a little something, we took them out immediately," Thorup said.

"I have already talked to them, and it looks fine, but we just have to see over the next few days, when we will have a better overview of the situation. But we didn't want to take any chances today."