Neestrup reflects on Portugal training camp

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup says the winter training camp in Portugal has been a success, as attention now turns to the return to the Danish Superliga next weekend.

The Lions squad were put through their paces during three training games in Portugal, which resulted in a 4-1 victory over Elfsborg, a 0-0 draw against Viking and Friday's 2-1 win over AIK.

Looking back at the 11-day trip, Neestrup says: "I think we've had a really good training camp.

"The boys have worked extremely hard and extremely concentrated, and there has been a good atmosphere down here. It's a good group that is tightly knit and has been for a while, despite the differences in the squad."

Discussing the new players added to the squad during the January transfer window, Neestrup adds: "Both Jordan (Larsson) and Diogo (Gonçalves) have settled in quickly. I think Jordan played a great game on Friday, both as a No 9 and on the wing, and Diogo has been consistent in his performances. They've integrated tactically and socially, and have been well received by the other players."

Neestrup also believes the training games have shone a light on the progress being made within the squad, ahead of the resumption of the Danish Superliga next weekend.

"Training matches can always be of slightly mixed quality, but I think the AIK match was played at a really high level," he says. "An intense training match against a skilled opponent, and I think that for many minutes we were a little better than them.

"We had everyone fighting in the training matches in Denmark, and of course we cut the squad down a bit down here. But regardless of whether you've played a little or a lot, you've contributed, and everyone has an important role in the team.

"It's also the case that we have real depth in some positions, and we must utilise that in a good way this spring."

FCK scored both goals after the half time against AIK, just as the team did in recent friendlies versus Hvidovre and Viking. Discussing this, Neestrup adds: "Of course, we always want to settle football games as early as possible, but if you look at our last Superliga games in the autumn, we really put things in place in the last 30 minutes.

"This is also due to the fact that we have a bench that is often a bit better than other teams, and there is trust in all players who are sent onto the field."

FCK programme for the next week
The FCK players will take Sunday off before heading back to Number 10 for training on Monday, and a one-hour "friendly" match against Næstved. After this the team will begin preparing for Sunday's trip to Silkeborg, which kicks off the second half of the Danish domestic season.

"We will use (the Næstved game) for the players who have not played that much, so that they are also match fit," says Neestrup. "They may get game time soon, because we have quite a few players who are close to suspensions, so we will need every man."

FCK.dk will not stream the Næstved match, but there is free access to watch it at Number 10 - and more information will follow when we can confirm which pitch the game will take place on.