Neestrup: Rapid will be a stern test

F.C. Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup is aware of the challenge facing his players tonight when they step out in Austria to face Rapid Wien in the final group game of the UEFA Conference League.

FCK have already secured a spot in the knockouts next spring but a win could see the Lions nudge into the top eight and bypass the play-off round.

Three points would certainly guarantee a seeded spot if FCK were to enter the play-offs.

And, as he prepares his team for one last game of 2024, Neestrup is looking forward to Thursday's contest.

"We are facing a good home team with a typical Austrian/German football culture, where they work well against the ball, are strong in counter-pressing, and are very direct when they win the ball. They also have many skilled technical players, so I expect it to be a tight and difficult European away game," says Neestrup.

"I know that they have not had the results they wanted lately, but I think their performances have been excellent, and in the away game against Omonia, which they lost in the last round, they should have taken at least a point. So I don't put anything into their recent form, because they're still a top club, just like ourselves.

“We know they will be without Guido Burgstaller because of the terrible attack he suffered at the weekend, and we wish him a full recovery. He is a very good striker, especially in the box, but they also have other good strikers who have shown good form recently.”

Neestrup also reflected on the importance of securing European football in the New Year, which FCK managed last December when they booked their place in the UEFA Champions League last-16.

“European matches are always important in terms of coefficient points, both for ourselves and for Danish football. And then there is this new tournament structure, which everyone seems to have a bit of difficulty understanding, and where it seems close to impossible for us to reach the Top 8," says the boss.

“But no matter what, we are playing to win here, because with a win we are sure to get a home game in the play-off second leg, which it seems we will have in February.

“And in general, it’s important to finish as high as possible in the table, because that can also give us some other advantages in terms of who we might face if we’re good enough to advance from the play-off round.

“We also want to end the year well and take the momentum we’ve built up through the Christmas break by going undefeated in our last 15 games. The performances haven’t always been great, but I think our results speak for themselves."

You can watch the game on Disney+ in Denmark if you’re not among the 2,000 FCK fans in Vienna. UK viewers can watch the match on TNT Sports 9.