FCK beat Rosenborg 5-0 in friendly
Every man was back and accounted for following the international break, meaning coach Ståle Solbakken had the privilege of a full-strength line-up in FC Copenhagen’s last preparation match before the arrival of Chelsea next week.
by Joe Short
The team that started the game will most probably be the one Solbakken opts for next Tuesday, and so 90 minutes worth of match practice against previous Champions League opposition was crucial for tactical and fitness preparation after a long winter break.
It was FCK who started the strongest, and after three minutes could have taken the lead when Christian Bolaños shot over the crossbar. Eight minutes later and the Costa Rican really should have opened the scoring after he found himself one-on-one with Daniel Østlund. Maybe he was surprised at being onside, but Bolaños’ effort lacked sharpness as Østlund came out to save easily.
There was nothing the Rosenborg goalkeeper could do about the opener on 18 minutes however. Zdenek Pospech back heeled to Claudemir, who sent Bolaños free on the right: level with the penalty area. Bolaños’ cross sailed deep over the box to Dame N’Doye, who powered home a typical headed finish to give Copenhagen a 1-0 lead.
Fancy footwork makes it 2-0
While Rosenborg had to contend with occasional scuffed shots at Johan Wiland’s goal, FCK found chances plentiful. Claudemir tried a curler from outside the box after a Rosenborg defensive mix-up, while Cesar Santin showed his clinical side by nodding in a low ball from Oscar Wendt to double Copenhagen’s lead. The striker was clearly anticipating a tap-in with the boot, yet his ingenuity proved the age-old saying that ‘every goal’s a goal’.
N’Doye tried a spectacular overhead kick just after the half hour, but found the ball behind the goal as he lay in a heap on the penalty spot; while just before half time Bolaños had another effort easily saved by Østlund.
The second half started as strongly as the first for Copenhagen, and it took just five minutes to add their third of the evening. Pospech chipped a ball through to Bolaños from the right wing; Bolaños controlled neatly before half-volleying into the far corner of the net for 3-0. At the other end, Wiland had to be alert to tip wide a great strike from Mikael Lustig on 55 minutes.
Bolaños instincts wrap up tie
For the remainder of the half it was clear Rosenborg had tightened up their defence, as the Norwegian outfit contended well with the Copenhagen pressure. However, on 72 minutes they could only stand and watch as Bolaños pounced on a spilled Martin Vingaard effort to make it 4-0, beating Mikael Dorsin to the ball in the process.
N’Doye tried his luck from the edge of the area on 80 minutes, but his hard shot struck Østlund directly in the stomach, while Wiland came out to prevent Michael Jamtfall from prodding home: smothering the ball at the striker’s feet.
And, in the Lions’ next attack they made it five. Bolaños found himself free on the right of the Rosenborg box and, rather than go for a hat trick, passed along face of goal for Jesper Grønkjær to tap in. Grønkjær was immediately substituted off following the finish.
In the dying seconds N’Doye had a goal ruled out for offside, which in turn was the last kick of the game. Referee Lars Christoffersen brought proceedings to a close in front more than 3000 hardy FCK fans, with possibly the best preparation Solbakken could have wished for ahead of the Champions League next week.
F.C. Copenhagen: 5 Rosenborg: 0
FC Copenhagen: Wiland, Pospech, Zanka, Antonsson, Wendt, Bolaños, Claudemir, Kvist (C), Grønkjær, N'Doye, Santin.
Rosenborg: Østlund (GK), Lustig, Wangberg, Høiland, Dorsin, Moldskred, Winsnes, Henriksen, Skjelbred, Bakenga, Prica.
Referee: Lars Christoffersen
Goals: N’Doye (18’), Santin (25’), Bolaños (51’), Bolaños (72’), Grønkjær (82’).