Neestrup reacts to season-opening win over Lyngby

Jacob Neestrup praised his players following Monday's 2-0 win at Lyngby that kicked off F.C. Copenhagen's 2024/25 Danish Superliga campaign in style.

Goals from Orri Óskarsson and Mohamed Elyounoussi within the first half-hour were enough for the Lions to see the game out.

Goalkeeper Nathan Trott, and defenders Rodrigo Huescas and Munashe Garananga, all made their competitive debuts for FCK and Neestrup was pleased with the display as much as he was the result.

"I'm very satisfied, because in a league like this it's all about winning, and we did," said Neestrup.

“I think we played at a high level in the first half and maybe we should have scored another goal. We scored through Orri's great header on Huesca's cross, but it was canceled out for offside.

"We started the second half well and could have made it 3-0 in the first minute, but in the last half-hour I don't think we held the ball well enough, nor did we settle with the ball or play it around their half. But we still repelled them enough so they didn't get any big chances.

"They had one that Nathan got down to beautifully and saved, and that's exactly what's we need at F.C. Copenhagen, where for long periods he didn't have much to do, but was ready when it mattered.

"He wasn't used to that at Vejle, but hopefully it will be like that often here, where he has to deliver one or two big saves during a match where he otherwise doesn't have much to do, and he did that well today.

"We chose to start with both him, and Rodrigo and Garananga in the defence, even though we knew it could cause some misunderstandings. But I could have lived with that, because it was important for us to get them started now, because sooner or later they have to play.

"And I am very pleased with the way in which all three of them stepped in and put their strengths into play in their own way. Rodrigo delivered a really solid offensive performance, overlapping time and time again on the edges and making great assists both for the first goal and the disallowed goal. He followed the plan of how we wanted to play with Orri, and I also think he was good defensively.

"Garananga was probably a bit overconfident at the start, but he calmed down at the back and used his body and physique well, and he defended well and timed his interceptions well.

"So, all in all, three very strong performances from the three debutants from the start, and we must not forget Amin (Chiakha), who came on in the last 10 minutes. He could not show as much of himself but he has also made his debut on a day when, all in all, I think we delivered solidly and won more confidently than when we started last season up here."