Manchester City reaches the Champions League quarterfinals without forcing
Guardiola’s men, who booked with Liverpool in mind, took advantage of Copenhagen’s initial gifts
MADRID, 6 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Manchester City beat Copenhagen (3-1) this Wednesday in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 held at the Etihad Stadium, a red carpet for the defending champion with two goals in the first ten minutes.
Pep Guardiola’s team had a 3-1 lead on Danish soil and, at home, the match seemed to be going ahead. The Spanish coach left Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva on the bench, with the Premier League at stake next Sunday against leader Liverpool, but the gifts from Copenhagen made it easy.
At times, the script seemed to point to a difficult game to digest, with a very closed defense and City looking for openings. However, on a corner kick after five minutes, Akanji finished alone to make it 1-0. Shortly after, in another corner, Rodrigo sent a ball to the crossbar and, on the rebound, Julián Álvarez made it 2-0 with a serious error by the goalkeeper Grabara when trying to save the ball.
It was impossible for the machinery of the current European and English champions to fail with a total of that caliber in their favor, and this was the case despite the fact that Copenhagen showed some pride. The visiting team woke up with their fast wingers in some recovery and, in one of those, Elyounoussi made it 2-1 at half an hour.
The Danish team had its moment in the match, with good first-class touches, while City settled for the score, even more so when Erling Haaland, after a pass from Rodrigo, made it 3-1 just before half-time. Guardiola’s team showed a champion’s punch, despite not even forcing the machine.
After passing through the locker room, the English team maintained their monologue in possession, but little by little Copenhagen increased the pressure. Thus, a Mattsson who gave results jumping from the bench was very close to beating Ederson, and Jacob Neestrup’s men confirmed a good reaction to the terrible start.
All in all, there was nothing resembling a surprise in Manchester, with the last chance for the hosts coming in another crossbar from Rico Lewis. The champion continued its triumphant march in the Champions League by dosing efforts before a crucial clash against Liverpool, leader of the Premier League by one point over Guardiola’s team.
DATASHEET:
–RESULT: MANCHESTER CITY, 3 – COPENHAGEN, 1. (3-1, at half-time).
–EQUIPMENT:
MANCHESTER CITY: Ederson; Lewis, Dias (Stones, min.68), Akanji, Gvardiol, Rodrigo (Sergio Gómez, rest), Kovacic, Bobb, Julián Álvarez, Nunes (Hamilton, min.74) and Haaland (Wright, min.88).
COPENHAGEN: Recorder; Ankersen, Vavro, Dix, Mckenna, Jelert (Meling, min.78); Froholdt (Mattsson, 58 minutes), Clem (Hojlund, 68 minutes), Elyounoussi, Achouri (Bardghji, 58 minutes) and Oskarsson (Cornelius, 68 minutes).
–GOALS:
1 – 0, min.5, Akanji.
2 – 0, min.9, Julián Álvarez.
2 – 1, min.29, Elyounoussi.
3 – 1, min. 45+3, Haaland.
–REFEREE: Espen Eskaas (NOR). Admonished Cornelius (min.84) and Mattsson (min.90) for Copenhagen.
–ESTADIO: Etihad Stadium.
2024-03-06 22:02:29
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