A look at Hearts’ opponents Copenhagen ahead of Conference League showdown

Hearts will be bidding to boost their prospects of remaining in Europe beyond Christmas for the first time since 1988-89 when they visit Copenhagen in their fifth Conference League match on Thursday.

Here, we look at the Danish outfit ahead of the crucial showdown in the Parken Stadium.

European pedigree

Since being formed in 1992 as the result of a merger between Kjobenhavns Boldklub and Boldklubben 1903, the club has competed in European competition in all but one season of its existence. They became the first Danish team to reach the round of 16 in the Champions League in 2010-11 and then repeated the feat last season before losing 6-2 on aggregate to Manchester City. The furthest they have progressed in a European competition was when reaching the quarter-final of the Europa League in 2019-20.

Form

Copenhagen – who finished third last season – are currently top of the Danish Superliga on goal difference from Midtjylland, having won nine of their 17 league matches. They are unbeaten in their last 12 games in all competitions and have won each of their last four. They are two places and one point below Hearts in the Conference League table after following up their matchday one defeat at home to Jagiellonia by drawing with Real Betis and Istanbul Basaksehir and then beating Dinamo Minsk in their last outing. Copenhagen qualified for the Conference League by beating Hearts’ league rivals Kilmarnock 3-1 on aggregate in the play-off in August.

Manager

Jacob Neestrup, now 36, first went into management as a 31-year-old with Viborg in 2019 after kicking off his coaching career in Copenhagen’s academy. Following 18 months at Viborg, he returned to Copenhagen as assistant in 2021 and was then appointed manager in September 2022 following the sacking of Jess Thorup. In just over two years in charge, Neestrup has overseen a title win, a third-place finish and a run to the last 16 of the Champions League last term.

Player

Mohamed Elyounoussi, who was on loan at Celtic from Southampton between 2019 and 2021, is Copenhagen’s top scorer this term with nine goals. Other notable goal threats include experienced Sweden forward Viktor Claesson and teenager Victor Froholdt, while defender Kevin Diks has chipped in with eight goals this season.