Champions League group stage recap: Copenhagen upset the odds

Copenhagen were one of the stories of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage as Jacob Neestrup's side thrilled neutrals with an exciting, attacking brand of football to progress to the round of 16.

Group A runners-up: W2 D2 L2 F8 A8
Top scorer: Lukas Lerager (3)

20/09: Galatasaray 2-2 Copenhagen – Boey 86, Tetê 88; Elyounoussi 35, Diogo Gonçalves 58
03/10: Copenhagen 1-2 Bayern – Lerager 56; Musiala 67, Tel 83
24/10: Man United 1-0 Copenhagen – Maguire 72
08/11: Copenhagen 4-3 Man United – Elyounoussi 45, Diogo Gonçalves 45+9(p), Lerager 83, Bardghji 87; Højlund 3 28, Bruno Fernandes 69(p)
29/11: Bayern 0-0 Copenhagen
12/12: Copenhagen 1-0 Galatasaray – Lerager 58

Campaign in ten words: Came on strong at business end with Parken a fortress.

UEFA.com reporter's view

Taking just one point from their first three games, Copenhagen appeared to have made a slow start in Group A, but results rather undersold their performances; they took the lead against Galatasaray and Bayern and missed an added-time penalty against Manchester United on Matchday 3 that would have earned them a 1-1 draw. The way they played commanded respect, and hard work paid off when they followed up a 4-3 win against United with a hard-fought goalless draw in Munich and the decisive victory over Galatasaray to qualify.

How do Copenhagen play?

Copenhagen do not have the biggest stars in Europe, but a real appetite for hard work has helped them to punch above their weight. Neestrup has had his side playing a more open game than Copenhagen have in previous group stage campaigns. They have not scored a single goal from a corner or free-kick, but crosses have been an essential attacking tool. More important is the fact that they never give up, continually chasing the next goal until the final whistle.

Fantasy star performers

Lukas Lerager – 34 pointsMohamed Elyounoussi, Rasmus Falk – 32 points

Diogo Gonçalves, Denis Vavro – 29 points

Key stats

• Copenhagen are the only Danish side to finish in the top two of a Champions League group, having also done so in the 2010/11 season.

• Copenhagen ended Bayern's record 17-game winning run in Champions League group stage matches with their battling draw on Matchday 5.

• Forward Falk covered 79.4km of ground across the group stage – the most of any player.

Squad changes

Clubs can register a maximum of three new eligible players by 24:00 CET on Friday 2 February 2024 at the latest. Since 2018/19, it no longer matters whether those players have already played in the competition for another club, even for another club still in the competition. Once all teams' changes are approved by UEFA in each competition, the full list of ins and outs will be published on UEFA.com.