Draw In Denmark
Lokomotiv and Copenhagen have drawn in their first game of the Europa League group stage.
It was the Dutch side that was named the favourites of Group F, alongside Lokomotiv. They were also considered favourites in this tie, as the home team. FC Copenhagen can boast a solid European campaign experience, and big clubs like Manchester United used to fail in claiming points at Parken.
Built in 1992, the stadium is equipped with a retractable roof that was activated on Wednesday before the visiting side's training session. On the matchday, though, the roof remained open and the rain spoilt the turf a little bit - the players slipped on the wet grass from time to time.
Lokomotiv's lineup had no specialized strikers. Eder remained seated, Koryan was not registered for the game, so it was Farfan who spearheaded attacks. In the first half the Peruvian tried hard but the lack of people in the attacking third was obvious. On 30 minutes Jeff received the ball in the penalty area and centered it instead of trying to have a go, but there was no one to make a final touch.
Everyone who had experience of playing against Dutch sides warned they love offering the opposition hard play and crosses. Copenhagen were no exception. In midfield, tackles were abundant, and crosses kept coming from the flanks to our area that offered too many spaces. Pavlovic even manaed to send the ball home in the 7th minute but the goal was cancelled due to offside.
Lokomotiv had to withhold offensives for the most part of the second half while Copenhagen made their play extremely simple - tackling in midfield, passing to sides, crossing to the area. Our trio of central defenders had plenty of work, and even Eder who received playing time, had to pull back to help the teammates.
Lokomotiv created their most promising opportunity in the 62nd minute when Rybus and Tarasov delivered the ball to Miranchuk at the far post. Alexey passed it on to Fernandes, the Portuguese had a go but shook the net from the outside.
Ignatyev set up a dangerous counter close to the final whistle. Vlad carried the ball through half of the field with an opponent following him, but was tackled by another one in the area.
Lokomotiv start their European campaign with a goalless draw. In another game, Zlin and Sheriff never opened the score either. No changes in Group F so far.
Europa League. Group Stage. Group F. First Leg.
Copenhagen - Lokomotiv - 0:0
Copenhagen: Olsen, Verbic, Zeca (Kvist, 86), Pavlovic (Pusic, 81), Gregus, Kusk (Falk, 62), Vavro, Boilesen, Ankersen, Luftner, Sotiriou
Lokomotiv: Guilherme, Mykhalyk, Kverkvelia, Pejcinovic, Ignatyev, I.Denisov, Tarasov, Rybus, Fernandes, Al.Miranchuk (An.Miranchuk, 81), Farfan (Eder, 70)
Referee: Hüseyin Göçek
Bookings: Rybus, 25. Mykhalyk, 44. Zeca, 69. Tarasov, 85.
September 14, 2017. Copenhagen, Parken Stadium.
