City mercilessly against the underdog
Ex-Dortmunder destroys Copenhagen dream early
March 6, 2024, 10:56 p.m
Defending champion Manchester City marches into the quarter-finals of the Champions League: against the blatant outsiders FC Copenhagen, former BVB professional Manuel Akanji puts Pep Guardiola’s men on the road to victory early on. Shortly afterwards, progression was virtually decided.
Defending champions Manchester City easily reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League and remained unbeaten in their 20th competitive game in a row. The English soccer champion won the second leg of the round of 16 against FC Copenhagen 3-1 (3-1) and gave the Danish underdog no chance. Team manager Pep Guardiola’s team had already won the first leg three weeks ago 3-1 (2-1).
Former Dortmund player Manuel Akanji (5th) and Argentine world champion Julian Alvarez (9th) got ManCity on track early on and deprived Copenhagen of any hope of creating a sensation. Erling Haaland (45th + 3) increased. For the Danes, who temporarily shortened the score thanks to Mohamed Elyounoussi (29th), reaching the knockout phase as second in the group of German champions Bayern Munich was already a success. Copenhagen left Manchester United and Galatasaray Istanbul behind.
Akanji, Alvarez, Haaland
But ManCity was always one size too big – Guardiola could afford to put some of his stars on the bench initially. Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, among others, were initially not on the pitch; compared to the recent 3-1 win in the league against Man United, the coach made seven changes.
Man City didn’t notice that at first. Akanji from a corner and Alvarez following up put the title contender on track. As a result, Manchester failed to improve despite their clear superiority – and Elyounoussi brought Copenhagen close again. This did not change the balance of power. ManCity remained dominant, Haaland increased before the break.
Manchester took it easy in the second half. The favorite had a lot of possession – but little forward movement. The guests, on the other hand, kept coming to conclusions and struggled to say a proper farewell.