FC Copenhagen won 2–1 against Turkish Trabzonspor at home at Parken in the playoff for the Champions League group stage.
In June, Swedish national team player Viktor Claesson was permanently ready for FC Copenhagen. The 30-year-old would prove significant against Trabzonspor.
After only nine minutes of play, Copenhagen picked up a high ball and gained momentum through Claesson. He played on the wall with Rasmus Falk Jensen and then slid forward for a perfect finish to make it 1–0.
It was Copenhagen for the whole penny in the first half. Hakon Haraldsson had, among other things, an open goal where he dotted the outside of the goal cage on a pass.
Only three minutes of the second half had passed before Copenhagen were ahead again. Denis Vavro headed in a corner which midfielder Lukas Lerager was able to push in to make it 2-0.
Trabzonspor played up and had most of the ball. Something that would pay dividends when the Greek Anastasios Bakasetas tried a long-range shot that was unluckily guided through Davit Khocholava’s leg. The ball lane became impregnable for former Arsenal goalkeeper, who also made his debut for the capital club, Mathew Ryan.
The match ended 2–1 and the return in Turkey is now wide open.
Two other playoff matches for the Champions League group stage were played. FK Bodø/Glimt can take 1-0 to the return in Croatia against Dinamo Zagreb and Scottish Rangers played 2-2 against PSV Eindhoven, that return is played in the Netherlands.
All returns will be played on August 24.