Thorup: We deserved derby victory
F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jess Thorup says his players deserved Monday's victory in the derby against Brøndby, and hopes the record 33,758 fans in Parken went home happy.
Two second-half goals from Pep Biel earned the Lions the win and maintained the six-point gap over FC Midtjylland in the race for the Danish Superliga title.
"We delivered a really good performance today and I think we fully deserved the win in terms of chances created," says Thorup.
"We played maybe a little too slowly in the first half and didn't get through their congested centre as much as we would have liked.
"But we dominated the game and forged good chances, and could well have led at the break. After we got ahead, we also had some great chances where we played them off the field, but just couldn't get past their goalkeeper, who I must say made some fantastic saves.
"Khouma Babacar had a couple of chances, and I think he played his best match for us since he joined us, and it is clear that the link-up with his teammates is getting better. Unfortunately he didn't score, because it's always great for a forward's self-confidence.
"But instead, Pep Biel got the scoring going again. It's has been a while since he last found the net, and the second goal was particularly good. He had a slightly freer role today as a false nine and really made a difference.
"The most important thing, however, is that we got the victory and that the players showed the right reaction following the defeat on Thursday. We still take nothing for granted and take it one match at a time, so once we've celebrated and evaluated this derby victory, we look forward to Sunday's Randers match here in Parken.
"Hopefully a lot of people will come again, because the fans have helped us get to where we are. They have shown huge support both at home and abroad, and we've seen how high the number of spectators have been in Parken this season."