FCK 4-0 Randers: Neestrup reacts, looks ahead to Sparta Prague

F.C. Copenhagen maintained the 100 percent start to the Danish Superliga season with a 4-0 victory over Randers in Parken on Saturday.

Having contested a nine-goal thriller with Breidablik in midweek, and with Sparta Prague to come on Tuesday, FCK head coach Jacob Neestrup knew the importance of a strong performance and result in the domestic competition this weekend.

And that's just what he got, as two first-half goals from Diogo Gonçalves, a neat finished by Roony Bardghji and Kevin Diks' second-half header earned the Lions all three points.

"It was a really nice performance, and this is how we would like to present ourselves," said Neestrup afterwards.

"They had a great chance at the start, but I am particularly satisfied that we gave them very few chances in the match. This gave our attack good conditions to shine.

"So it was great to see a good, stable display, where we really hit a high level at times. And there is still great hunger in the team to keep winning, and that's how it should be. We also got rid of the slightly negative vibes after our bad start in the Breidablik game the other day, and the three goals we ended up conceding."

Asked about Gonçalves' double, Neestrup added: "He also delivered at a high level at the end of the spring, and he has continued to do so in the new season, and that is what we expected when we signed him. I know he had a bit of a difficult start, where he also had an injury, but that's often how it is at a new club.

"(Rasmus) Falk also delivered again at a high level and has had a great opening to the season. It suits him that he is now further forward in the field, and he takes great responsibility and leadership through his play with the ball, and not so much by shouting and screaming.

"Today I am especially happy for William Clem, after he was taken off after half an hour on Wednesday. It is a lot of pressure that rests on a young player's shoulders, and therefore it is also important that everyone around him and in the stands helped to lift him back up. It means a lot to me."

Now the league game is out of the way, Neestrup can turn his attention to Tuesday's first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round against Sparta Prague.

"That's how it has to be, and that's also why we have a deep squad with a tough fight for places," said Neestrup. "Last season we probably played 14-15 games more than our domestic competitors, and even if FC Nordsjælland and FC Midtjylland will hopefully also be in the group stage this year, we still have to handle many games ourselves.e

"You mustn't forget how it looked last season, when we made big changes to the same players at times, but still ended up winning the Double. So I'm just happy that I now have many players to choose from."