Neestrup reacts to derby defeat

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup says his players need to show their commitment to the cause and respond in the right manner after Sunday's 2-1 derby defeat to Brøndby.

Elias Achouri levelled for the Lions just before the hour mark but Daniel Wass converted a penalty in the second minute of stoppage time to hand three points to the visitors.

"The first half was a very even game with few chances, where we didn't hit the level we wanted," says Neestrup. "Their goal came down to an unfortunate mistake from Delaney.

"After the break, I think we had everything under control for pretty much the entire second half, and Elias Achouri scored a great goal to make it 1-1. But there were just 30 seconds left (in extra time of both halves) when they twice played through on our right side, and we didn't defend to perfection, as we had done for the rest of both halves. First Rajovic hit the post and in the other one they got the penalty to make it 2-1."

A dramatic 10 minutes of stoppage time also saw Mohamed Elyounoussi miss a penalty, while the FCK players had a claim for another when 

Then it became more and more hectic in the more than 10 minutes of added time, where we both managed to get a penalty, which Elyounoussi missed, and maybe should have had another when Rodrigo Huescas went down in the box. Lions goalkeeper Diant Ramaj was also sent off, while two Brøndby players were dismissed.

Reflecting on the final few minutes of the match, Neestrup adds: “I don’t know, but I would like to emphasize that Sandi Putros did excellently today in a match that was difficult to referee. If there was a penalty in the third situation, it should be called from the VAR.

“I don’t have an overview of everything that happened after the match right here afterwards. The emotions were high, and a lot happened, but of course Ramaj crossed the line with his red card. It goes without saying that you shouldn’t behave like that, no matter who you are. It’s a shame, but Nathan Trott will have to show in the next few matches why he is also a good goalkeeper.

"It was a tough blow for us to lose, and especially to lose in this way, but there is nothing else to do but show that we can get up after this slump in just four days when we have to fight again."

Next up for FCK is a trip to FC Midtjylland on Thursday (6pm). The Lions currently lead FCM by one point in the Danish Superliga with seven games of the season remaining.