FC Copenhagen Coach Praises Grimaldo's Exceptional Free-Kick Skill

Jacob Neestrup

FC Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup praised Alejandro Grimaldo's exceptional free-kick skill after Leverkusen's 2-2 draw. Read more.

“He is definitely one of them. Especially if you look at his stats within the past week he might be the best right now...”

FC Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup revealed that he predicted Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo would score from his late direct free kick in the 2-2 draw. Neestrup's prediction stemmed from his observation that Grimaldo had already been given two promising free-kick opportunities, and when the third arose, he knew Grimaldo would capitalize on it.

Neestrup praised Grimaldo's exceptional skill, stating, “Class doesn't deny itself, so we just have to recognize and praise him for that.” He believes Grimaldo is currently one of the finest free-kick experts in the world, citing his impressive stats over the past week. Neestrup's comments highlight Grimaldo's remarkable talent and consistency in scoring from set pieces.

Det var en afklaret Jacob Neestrup, der trods ærgrelsen over den sene udligning glædede sig over, at vi viste os frem som et godt Champions League-hold #fcklive #ucl https://t.co/c41rqRF8FI

— F.C. København (@FCKobenhavn) September 18, 2025

When asked about potentially putting a man on the line to defend Grimaldo's free kicks, Neestrup explained that his team hadn't trained for this specific scenario. He noted that while it's an option for future matches, their current approach involves a balance between defending free kicks and creating opportunities elsewhere on the field.

Copenhagen's coach, Ståle Solbakken Neestrup, had predicted Alejandro Grimaldo would score from a free kick, saying, “When the free kick was awarded, I said to the bench: 'Now they will score,' as you shouldn't give Grimaldo three opportunities, because then he will score at one point or another.” This prediction proved accurate as Grimaldo sent the ball over the wall and into the net with a perfectly timed diving shot.

Grimaldo's free-kick goal was his third in two games, drawing praise from Neestrup. The Spanish wingback's impressive form showcases his skill and precision in scoring crucial goals. Grimaldo's ability to capitalize on set-piece opportunities has made him a valuable asset for Bayer Leverkusen.

Alejandro Grimaldo has scored three goals this season, showcasing his prowess as a midfielder. His passing accuracy stands at 71%, and he averages 0.5 goals per game in club competitions. Grimaldo's free-kick expertise has earned him recognition as one of the best set-piece specialists in the Bundesliga and Europe.

 Neestrup praised Alejandro Grimaldo's exceptional skill, saying, "Class doesn't deny itself, so we just have to recognize and praise him for that." Neestrup's comments highlight Grimaldo's impressive form, particularly his prowess in scoring from free kicks.

A 2-2 draw to kick off our UCL campaign.

Thank you for the amazing support 🙏⚪️🔵#fcklive #ucl pic.twitter.com/3PWlYBF5cC

— F.C. København (@FCKobenhavn) September 18, 2025

Neestrup believes Grimaldo's current free-kick form makes him “perhaps the finest free kick expert in the world.” This assessment underscores Grimaldo's exceptional talent and consistency in scoring crucial goals from set pieces, solidifying his reputation as a top specialist in the sport.

Jacob Neestrup praised Alejandro Grimaldo's exceptional talent, saying, “He is definitely one of them. Especially if you look at his stats within the past week he might be the best right now. He is extremely talented.” Neestrup's comments highlight Grimaldo's impressive form and skill in scoring from free kicks.

When asked about defending Grimaldo's free kicks, Neestrup denied discussing plans to put a man on the line, stating that his team didn't have a specific strategy in place to counter Grimaldo's expertise.

“We haven't trained it, and it gives some other opportunities, where it may cost goals at another time. It's give and take, and we defend free kicks the way we did here. But it is of course an option to do so in the future,” said Neestrup.