FCK closing in fast in title race

By Peter Bruun

The Danish title race has again turned into a battle between Copenhagen rivals Brøndby IF and FC København - with FCK in outstanding form since the Superleague resumed after the winter break.

Great style
Reigning champions København have moved up from fifth to second place and closed the gap on leaders Brøndby from 16 points to just four after starting the spring season in style - winning seven straight matches including a 3-0 home victory over Brøndby.

Closing fast
Michael Laudrup's men still set the pace with 52 points from 25 matches with eight rounds remaining, but FCK are closing in fast. While København coach Hans Backe is delighted with his team's consistency, Laudrup needs to reinvigorate his side and rediscover their scoring touch. A lack of strike power is proving costly.

Hopes vanished
The Copenhagen clubs are well clear of FC Midtjylland, whose hopes of a maiden title have disappeared. They have 41 points from 25 games – eleven behind Brondby and seven short of FCK - having slipped back to third place.

First defeat
Midtjylland also suffered a first defeat at their 16-month-old SAS Arena stadium, AGF Århus winning 1-0 in the central Jutland city of Herning on 24 April. Erik Rasmussen's team have struggled since losing Denmark goalkeeper Peter Skov-Jensen and Egypt striker Mohamed Zidan to VfL Bochum 1848 and Werder Bremen respectively during the winter transfer window.

Double succes
København's fine domestic form has been repeated in Scandinavia's Royal League, where they are the only Danish representatives in the second group stage. They have had a good month with a 1-0 away win against Norway's Rosenborg BK and a 2-1 home victory over Malmö FF of Sweden.