Neestrup: We must bounce back from Randers defeat

F.C. Copenhagen lost 1-0 to Randers on Monday afternoon, with Jakob Ankersen grabbing a late winner for the hosts. The result means FCK slip to second in the Danish Superliga table.

And head coach Jacob Neestrup was open with his assessment after the game.

"There are two things in particular that have annoyed us," Neestrup began.

"Firstly, we performed below par today, especially in the first half, but also to the fact that we had a bad day because these will come during a long season.

"Next, it annoys us that we didn't at least get a point from a game that was otherwise completely even, even if we didn't play up to our normal level. We could have won, and we could also have played out a draw, and this is said without taking anything away from Randers, because you can't object to them winning either.

"We faced a well-organised team on a difficult pitch, and found it difficult to set the pace. But we must be able to handle that and be more determined on the ball. Instead, we gave them far too many opportunities to win with some scrappy turnovers in the midfield, where they probably had three or four big chances, including the one that led to the corner and the goal.

"But I don't want to stand here and talk about headline moments, because, as mentioned, we played a fairly even match that could have gone either way. We've had those types of games before but we've managed to avoided losing them."

The loss means FCK failed to set a club record for consecutive Superliga wins, as the nine-game streak comes to an end. However, that's not what's on Neestrup's mind right now.

"As I've said before, I'd rather stand with the trophy on the last day of the season than finish second and break 10 records. We came here to win, and of course a record means something in the long run, but right now it's not the most important thing.

"Now we go home and watch the match properly and talk things through with the honesty we have when we talk after a victory. And then we have to find our spirits again and prepare to deliver a proper performance in Parken against Viborg on Sunday. There are still eight games left, and we must quickly find our way back to the very high level we have maintained for a long period."