FC Copenhagen 2 - 0 FT Drita

Mattsson's Penalty Masterclass Sends Copenhagen Through

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 58/100. FC Copenhagen's clinical execution against Drita proved that European football demands ruthlessness, and the Danish side delivered it in spades at Parken Stadium.

The Substitute's Perfect Night

From the bench to the spotlight—Magnus Mattsson entered the fray as a substitute and transformed the match's intensity with two penalty conversions that ended any lingering upset factor. The first arrived in the 69th minute, clinical and composed. By the 76th minute, after VAR confirmed the second spot-kick, Mattsson had already claimed the match's narrative. Two penalties in seven minutes. Two goals. Game over. Copenhagen's balance shifted irrevocably in their favour once the Kosovar side's discipline cracked—three yellow cards a damning indictment of their desperation.

Elyounoussi's Creative Pulse

Mohamed Elyounoussi orchestrated the home side's rhythm throughout, threading three key passes and anchoring Copenhagen's 65% possession stranglehold. While he didn't find the net, his orchestration of the midfield ensured Drita never gained a foothold. The Norwegian midfielder's movement created the stakes that ultimately led to those penalties—constant pressure, relentless probing, suffocating control.

Maloku's Heroic Rearguard

Credit where due: Faton Maloku in Drita's goal kept the scoreline respectable. Three saves from a barrage of 16 Copenhagen shots—five on target—represented the only barrier between a massacre and a defeat. His performance was a masterclass in damage limitation, a lone wolf against an avalanche. Yet even his acrobatics couldn't mask Drita's fundamental shortcomings: 35% possession, just one shot on target, and a yellow card count that screamed capitulation.

The Turning Point

The 69th-minute penalty was the fulcrum. Once Mattsson converted from the spot, Drita's resistance evaporated. The second penalty seven minutes later felt inevitable—a formality that confirmed Copenhagen's superiority. The visitors never threatened a comeback; they never truly threatened at all. Copenhagen's 86% pass accuracy and dominance in the final third meant this was always a one-way affair.

European Pedigree Faces Qualifying Grit

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 7/100. This tie rests on whether Drita can disrupt FC Copenhagen's technical superiority long enough to create a nervous evening at Parken Stadium.

The Setup

As the UEFA Champions League reaches the 2nd Qualifying Round, FC Copenhagen welcomes Drita to the Parken Stadium on July 22, 2025. The hosts enter this fixture with a somewhat inconsistent Form, having recorded two wins and two draws in their last seven outings. While the statistical Stakes are rated lower due to the early stage of the competition, the tactical Balance suggests a match of narrow margins. Without marquee Stars to dominate the headlines, the narrative shifts to collective organization and the pressure of knockout football.

Key Battle

The decisive area will be the home side's midfield engine room against the visiting defensive structure. FC Copenhagen will look to dominate possession and pull the away side out of position. Without specific individual stars highlighted, the onus is on the Danish side's unit cohesion to break through a Drita back line that is expected to sit deep and absorb pressure. The visitors will likely rely on quick transitions, hoping that the narrow margins of the tie work in their favor if they can keep the scoreline level late into the second half.

Our Prediction

Expect a methodical approach from the hosts. They are unlikely to blow the visitors away early but should eventually find the breakthrough via sustained pressure. A 2-0 victory for the home side reflects the gap in European experience, as they wear down the opposition through superior ball retention. This result would put them in a commanding position heading into the second leg.