The Daly Brief | Spurs vs FC Copenhagen, UEFA Champions League | OneFootball

"Danish champions Copenhagen are yet to win in this season’s competition, but young head coach Jacob Neestrup has serious attacking talent. With the league phase taking shape too - how many points will likely be needed to qualify?"

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit

European pedigree - English exits...

Copenhagen are in the Champions League proper for the third time in four seasons, having reached the Round of 16 in 2023/24. Under current manager Jacob Neestrup, the Danish side drew away at Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich (0-0) while beating Manchester United (4-3) and Galatasaray (1-0) at home. Having come through that difficult group, they were beaten 6-2 on aggregate by Manchester City, while English opposition eliminated them last season too in the Conference League - Chelsea edging it 3-1 over two legs.

No win yet...

This season, the Danish champions are yet to win any of their opening three league phase games – including a 4-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund last time out. Those conceded goals came from just five shots on target, however Neestrup felt his side failed to utilise their own attacking moments. "We had some good transitions, but if you are to get a point or three against a top-class team like Dortmund, then you need to score the chances that you have.” The 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 1 was better, twice leading the Bundesliga side playing mobile, fluid attacking football. However, the 2-0 defeat to Qarabag was a low point with Copenhagen giving up big chances when pressed playing out from the back.

Lifting the mood...

Nine days ago, after a 0-0 league draw with Viborg, Neestrup was extremely open about Copenhagen’s recent disappointing form. "We are in a difficult place... where we lack the last spark of self-confidence and flow that we have had before.” He detailed how the team were playing too slowly, adding they 'weren't good enough in counter-pressing and individual defensive play', failing to make use of their preferred tactics of winning the ball back quickly and playing forward.

Tactics + attack...

A midweek 4-1 cup win at Hobro, to follow up that result, was most welcome with summer signing Youssoufa Moukoko getting a hat-trick. The stocky striker was a Borussia Dortmund wonderkid, scoring for the first team aged 16 years and 28 days, but now 20, he needed regular first team football. Elsewhere, Jordan Larsson, son of Henrik, starts out on the right wing and produced a wonderful first-time finish in their draw with Leverkusen. Mohammed Elyounoussi is the team’s experienced creative spark, getting 11 goals and nine assists last season. He has scored at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before too, in Southampton’s 3-2 win back in February 2022. The Norwegian is often up front in a 4-4-2 formation alongside veteran forward Viktor Claesson, although they are flexible enough to play three or five at the back.

How many points to qualify?

Now three matches have been played, we can look at how the League Phase is shaping up. Last season was the first in the Champions League’s new format - when 16 points guaranteed a top eight finish and place directly into the Round of 16. Despite the mirrored format in the Europa League, 14 points was enough in that competition. Ninth to 24th qualifies for the additional play-off round and Manchester City snuck in with 11 points last season, but only on goal difference. With five points garnered so far, tonight feels like an important game to give Spurs a strong foothold in the table before visiting the defending champions next – Paris Saint-Germain.

Watch | Thomas pre-match exclusive...