Clearly on course for the quarterfinals
Manchester City just needs a quick shake
February 13, 2024, 11:02 p.m
Defending champions Manchester City are clearly on course for the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The English treble winner led by Pep Guardiola wins the first leg of the round of 16 against the strong Danish champions FC Copenhagen. It is City’s eleventh win in a row.
Manchester City lived up to its role as favorite and won the first leg of the round of 16 in the Champions League against FC Copenhagen. The defending champions won 3-1 (2-1) in the Danish capital. The second leg will take place in Manchester on March 6th.
Kevin De Bruyne gave the guests the lead after just ten minutes. Almost out of nowhere, Magnus Mattson equalized for coach Jacob Neestrup’s team in the 34th minute after a rebound from goalkeeper Ederson. But in injury time (45th + 1) of the first half, Bernardo Silva put Pep Guardiola’s team back in the lead.
After the break, the English controlled the game, but initially only rarely found their way to the opponent’s goal. Erling Haaland (77th) headed a great chance onto the crossbar. But in the second minute of injury time, Phil Foden made the final decision. De Bruyne was directly involved in all of the goals.
The English champions traveled to the Danish capital as the high favorite, but were warned against the home team. FCK defeated City’s local rivals Manchester United and Galatasaray Istanbul in the group stage at the Parken Stadium. But the “Skyblues” pushed the pace right from the start and continued to dominate the game after the change.