In their first competitive match in TWO MONTHS on Tuesday against Manchester City, COPENHAGEN may be a little out of sorts.
Since securing a spot in the last 16 with a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray on December 12, the Danes have been on winter break.
It’s not ideal to go 63 days without a game, according to boss Jacob Neestrop.
“Of course, it would have been better if we had been moving at full speed, but that is the reality,” he remarked.
“We have endeavoured to commence our training with the utmost efficiency.
“We think we’re doing really well right now.
“We go for playing a good game and deliver a good performance to get a result like we have done in the other Champions League matches.”
Copenhagen won two of their three games in the friendly Atlantic Cup that was held in Portugal last week to gain some playing experience.
They have only made it to the round of 16 twice; the first time was in 2011 when they were defeated by Chelsea.
However, they emerged from a group that included featured Manchester United and Bayern Munich, and in their eighteen Champions League games played at their notoriously hostile Parken Stadium, they have only lost twice.
The 27-year-old Scottish centre back Espirito Santo is expected to make his debut following his loan move from Nottingham Forest last month.
Under Steve Cooper, the defender had lost favour with the team and was unable to persuade Nuno Espirito Santo to give him a starting position again.
“Manchester City are obviously a top team and it will be a difficult match,” Mckenna remarked in reference to playing them in the Champions League.
“But if you treat them too respectfully, they’ll just run you over,” I believe.
“You have to attempt to cause them as much difficulty as you can, and ideally, that will benefit us.
The one game I did play versus Manchester City didn’t go well for me! The players at the club have likely faced City more often than I have because I know Copenhagen played against them in the Champions League last season.”
