by Cases like those of Copenhagen They are living proof that the Champions League should give the ‘minor’ league champions the opportunity to compete. It’s not a question of money, it’s a question of faith, of fighting for what you want, no matter how complicated the path may seem. The Danish team’s prize, getting a ticket to the round of 16 for the second time in its history, is a clear sign that we should not give up. They went out to fight against the giants, and with heart and a lot of feeling they put them on the ropes.
The team led by Jacob Neestrup was the cinderella of Group A. They faced the Bayern Munichto the manchester united and to Galatasaray. Teams with much more budget and proven players, but on the field, that is of no use.
OFF THE RADAR
The Danes have the squad with the second smallest market value of the entire group stage (66.35 million euros). To put it in context: the market value of the Bayern Munich is 948.15 million, that of manchester united of 877.30 million, and that of Galatasaray of 236.58 million.
Evidently, the economic power of the aforementioned clubs was also reflected in the last summer market. he manchester united spent more than 200 million euros to reinforce its staff, the Bayern Munich 150 million and the Galatasaray almost 30 million. The Danes did not spend even 10 million.
Copenhagen made it to the round of 16 of the Champions League for the second time in its history /EFE
Another shocking fact. The footballer who has the highest market value on the squad is the goalkeeper, Kamil Grabara (9 million euros), who will join Wolfsburg in the summer of 2024 in exchange for 13.5 ‘kilos’. he Bavarian It has up to six players on the roster who are worth more than the entire team. Copenhagen (Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Leroy Sané, Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies) and the manchester united with two (Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford).
A LONG ROAD TO SUCCESS
The revelation of the Champions He hasn’t had it easy at all. They started from the bottom, devastating the Breidablik in the qualifying quarterfinals (8-3 overall), suffering against the Prague Sparta in the semifinals (they passed the round on penalties) and competing very seriously against the Rakow in the ‘final’ (2-1 on aggregate).
Copenhagen beat Galatasaray at home (1-0) and got a ticket to the Champions League round of 16 / Agencies
They fell into the Group A, and the rest is history. Impressive milestone that serves to obtain the second ticket to the round of 16 Champions in the history of the club (the last time was in the 2010/11 season). The great victim was manchester unitedthat was even left out of the European Leagueticket that was awarded Galatsaray. he Bayern MunichFor its part, it fulfilled all the predictions and dominated the Group A with an iron fist.
A VERY HARD BONE TO CRACK
The Danish team began to gain respect from the first day. he Galatasaray They managed to scratch a draw (2-2) in the Turkish hell. They started winning by two goals, but an expulsion of Elias Jelert In the 73rd minute of the match he allowed the Turks to come forward, who tied the match two minutes from the end. Then they made the man suffer a lot Bayern Munich at home, which had to come back and turn around the initial 1-0 in the 83rd minute.
The image was good, but the points did not arrive. One of six possible that would become one of nine. he manchester united they won by the minimum in Old Traffordwith a penalty missed by Jordan Larsson in the 97th minute to score a golden point. But when everything was completely lost, the reaction came. The Danes found the key to managing a very difficult situation, and filled the Parken Stadium to condemn manchester unitedwho began to win by two goals, and began to climb the table (4-3).
The Copenhagen players celebrate the victory against Manchester United (4-3) / Agencies
The next visit, the fearsome Allianz Stadium. From the battlefield in which so many teams have emerged humiliated, they returned to Denmark with a goalless draw that left the door open to the round of 16 on the last day against the Galatasaray. those of Neestrup They complied by the minimum (1-0), in front of their people, who never left them aside.
UNITY AND COMMITMENT
he Copenhagen He doesn’t understand stars, he understands unity, commitment. The average viewer knows few members of the Danish squad. Without going any further, the team’s top scorer in Champions League is Lucas Leragermidfielder who has played for several teams in the five major leagues, with three goals.
Lukas Lerager, celebrating a goal with Mohamed Elyounoussi / Agencies
The goalkeeper also stands out, Kamil Grabarathe extreme Mohamed Elyounoussiwith Premier past, the ‘pearl’ that the greats of Europe pursue, Roony Bardghjithe son of former footballer Henrik Larsson, Jordan Larsson or the ‘new’ Andreas Corneliowith past in France and Italy.
The objective has already been more than achieved. They will be measured at city of manchesterto the Arsenalto the Atlético de Madridto the FC Barcelonathe Real societyhe Real Madrid or the Borussia Dortmund. Now it’s their turn to enjoy, dream of a possible quarterfinal, and take advantage of the immense showcase that the Champions League for footballers who are much less in the media than the rivals they face.
