Neestrup: We cannot take Raków lightly
F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup has warned Tuesday's UEFA Champions League playoff first leg against Raków Częstochowa will be a tough encounter for his Lions players, and that no-one is taking the Polish champions lightly.
FCK play the first leg of the playoff in Poland at 9pm on Tuesday and remain undefeated this season.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Neestrup said: "Raków are a team that many people might not know that much about, but that's why you definitely shouldn't underestimate them.
"They have progressed significantly in recent seasons with two second places and most recently a safe championship last season, plus three cup finals, so we are meeting a really good team.
"It is a progress built on discipline and hard work, and they have not come to their success easily. A club with a new coach who has known the club since he was an assistant to his predecessor, and a club with good players, but where the strength lies primarily in the collective.
"They are also strong at home and have not lost a European home game in recent years, and they often begin matches aggressively and push high on the opponent, and that can make for a messy game."
Neestrup's side beat Hvidovre 2-0 on Friday and have had the weekend to prepare for the trip to Poland.
Discussing his own side, the boss added: "As always, we have prepared as well as possible, and if we hit our level then I believe that we will progress. In any case, that is our clear objective and it would be the same if we met Legia Warsaw or Lech Poznan or the champions from an even bigger league than the Polish one.
"I believe in us over two games and the best scenario for us will be if we strike the good balance we had in the home game against Sparta Prague. A good balance between putting ourselves on the line and playing against patience, balance and shorter distances in the team than in many other games."
The Polish press were, of course, interested in whether Kamil Grabara would be starting in goal for he Lions, and Neestrup confirmed that we will have to wait until Tuesday evening to find out.
