FC Copenhagen head coach Jacob Neestrup criticised Malmö’s pre-match focus on finances after his side completed a 5–0 aggregate victory in Champions League qualifying.
Before the tie, Malmö boss Henrik Rydström highlighted Copenhagen’s larger budget and wage bill. Neestrup said that rhetoric signalled to him that the contest was already tilting Copenhagen’s way.
“I must admit that when the opposing coach and players start talking about budget differences, the coach’s salary, and the players’ salaries, then I know we have won,” Neestrup told Danish media after Tuesday’s win at Parken. “We have earned and worked hard for every penny of the money we have spent on class players, and that showed the class difference today.”
Neestrup added a barbed aside about Malmö’s narrative. “At least they’ll get home safely, because they’ve inflated a lifeboat the size of a ferry that can sail between Helsingborg and Elsinore. Please let me know if I ever make excuses like that. Then just shut down the press conference.”
Asked if Malmö’s comments had annoyed him, the 36-year-old said they had not. “I’ve just laughed about it. Quietly. It hasn’t irritated me at all. But you notice it, and it’s a bit rude to sit and talk about us like that.”
Copenhagen, who drew the first leg 0–0 before dominating the return in Copenhagen, advance to a playoff meeting with Swiss champions Basel for a place in the Champions League group phase. Malmö drop into the Europa League qualifying path and will face Sigma Olomouc.
