Jelert: Teammates have supported me

F.C. Copenhagen full-back Elias Jelert says he is grateful to his FCK teammates for sticking by him following the red card he picked up in the UEFA Champions League clash with Galatasaray this autumn, and believes he has plenty more to offer in the Lions defence this season.

Jelert has been a regular in Jacob Neestrup's XI this campaign and started Saturday's 4-0 win over Hvidovre in Parken.

Discussing the season so far, he says: "I think it's gone okay. We are top of the Superliga and have played some good matches in the Champions League, but I think we should have had more points compared to how we have played.

Lessons from red card
"I learned a lot from the red card in Turkey. It was adversity at the highest level, but it is good to face these challenges because then you develop. I have good people around me, so I progressed quickly.

"I was sad after it happened, but for me it was important to look forward and play a lot of games. We've had a lot of important matches in the period that followed.

"I think everyone in the team has been great at supporting me, but of course there are some I talk to more who have really helped me. I also used my friends and family a lot to forget about it the following days."

Champions League experience
Jelert came through the FCK Talent Department and made his debut in October 2021. Now a firm part of the first team and competing in the Champions League, the 20-year-old says he just wants to get better.

"It is everyone's dream to play in Champions League matches! I enjoy every time we stand on the pitch and the Champions League anthem is played," he adds.

"I learn a lot from playing matches at that level because we play against some of the best in the world. I think it's a big lesson to have at such an early age.

"We also had a strong team last year, but I can see from our game compared to last year that we are playing better now. I don't know if we have a better team, but we are better at adapting to games and I think we play better."

International debut
Jelert also earned first first cap for Denmark during October's international break. He played 62 minutes in the 2-1 win at San Marino and is hungry for more.

"It was a huge pat on the back, and I am very proud of it," he says. "The game didn't go as expected, but we got three points even though it wasn't a pretty game. When I look back on it, my debut is a great experience that I'm happy about.

"It has given me confidence because it proves that what I am doing and working on is the right thing. It has been a tight schedule, but I like to play a lot of games.”

"I'm trying to improve my defensive game, but also my passing game. Those are the two things I feel I need to improve and I'm working on that out on the training pitch.

"I think the Champions League matches are the best way to practice, because you have to be alert all the time. You cannot give anything away, because mistakes are exploited by the opponent. But this is the second time I have played in the Champions League, so I know what it takes."

Ambitions for the season
FCK sit top of the Superliga heading into Tuesday's clash with FC Midtjylland and Jelert has eyes on more success.

"We've had a tough programme, but as a young player you learn a lot from it, and I think the recent period has been great with many top experiences," he adds.

"Our ambitions are that to win the Superliga and the Danish Cup, and to either play the Europa League or the Champions League after the New Year. So it would be great to win the last two Champions League games in Parken."