Neestrup: Positives from 'messy' Plzen game

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup admits Friday's friendly clash with Viktoria Plzen, which was played over 3 x 45 minutes, was a messy but nevertheless productive encounter.

The Lions 'lost' 3-2 over the 135-minute game that saw 50 players fielded between the two teams.

Jordan Larsson and Orri Óskarsson scored for the Lions and helped give Neestrup plenty to think about as the squad prepares for the start of the Danish Superliga season.

"It was generally a messy training match," says Neestrup. "We faced a team that stood low and took their time through most of the game.

"We managed to solve that issue very well for 20 minutes in the first half, but after that it ended up being a game where we conceded an extremely high number of turnovers, and they broke the rhythm of our game. But that's how training games are, for better or for worse , and just as you shouldn't put too much stock in beating Schalke, you shouldn't put too much stock in us losing here.

"We've had a really good training camp (in Austria), and we're going home with a fit and injury-free squad, apart from Nicolai Boilesen, who has trained fully with us down here, and David Khocholava at home. I don't have any status yet on Viktor Claesson, who left after 10 minutes. Andreas Cornelius' substitution, on the other hand, was planned in advance. He played 45 minutes against Silkeborg and an hour today, so he is ready for the start of the season."