It’s hard to talk about a B unit in a team with Manchester City’s potential, but in any case Pep Guardiola rested seven of the players he lined up as starters in Sunday’s league derby against United and , without the indisputable Kevin de Sina Bruyne , Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, the European champions confirmed their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League by losing again to FC Copenhagen (3-1).
The 1-3 draw in the first leg at the Parken and Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield, which will be followed by a very difficult schedule for City, led Guardiola to introduce seven changes regarding derby. Kyle Walker, John Stones, Nathan Aké and Jérémy Doku They also rest and repeat Ederson, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland.
The city starts at maximum intensity
A team, let’s call it the alternative, that did not come out easily and, in just ten minutes, sealed the tie 2-0 in two corners.
At minute 5, Manuel Akanji scored with a volley unstoppable and, in the 9th minute, Rodri headed the crossbar for the first time, the game continued and Julián Álvarez’s lateral shot slipped between the gloves of goalkeeper Kamil Grabarawho played with a protective mask over his face.
A rival faces two debutants
All suggested a win for City against a rival with three players under the age of 20: Victor Mow Froholdt (18), William Clem (19) and Orri Óskarsson (19)the first two debutants in the Champions League.
But City relaxed, dropped their pressure a bit and left space for FC Copenhagen’s transitions. Mohamed Elyounoussi put it directly and, after a great spur pass from the cheeky Oskarsson who singled him out, he beat Ederson.
Rodri got his act together and Haaland didn’t disappoint
City’s game was monotonous but it was enough for Rodri to activate himself with some quality passes to bring things back to life. The first one ended in one shot Matheus Nunes which, after bouncing on the grass, touched the crossbar.
In addition to the first half Haaland, cautious until then, appeared at the right moment. He controlled a long ball from Rodri, cut in and struck it left-footed past the post. It was the Norwegian’s sixth goal in the Champions League, tied for the tournament’s top scorer Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé, and 29th of the season in 32 games.
At half-time, Guardiola left Rodri in the dugout to bring on Sergio Gómez and, although Haaland played 88 minutes, there were no more goals in a testimonial second half in which FC Copenhagen played unhindered and had some opportunities to make up for the result. , although in the end Oscar Bob He made it 4-1 with a shot against the crossbar.
A champion, on a roll before a very tough schedule
The city. already will play in the quarterfinals for the seventh consecutive season, The defense of the title of European champion continues at a steady pace and He has ten consecutive wins in the Champions League. They had already gone 20 games in a row this season without defeat before visiting Anfield.
Other tough clashes against Arsenal and Aston Villa will follow. A very tough trip with this little oasis against FC Copenhagen already Guardiola He took the opportunity to give his Praetorian Guard a break.
match lineup
31
82
24
8
25
3
27
16
9
52
19
1
22
19
26
2
3
36
10
18
47
30
Etihad Stadium
Kamil Grabara1
Peter Ankersen22
Elias Jelert19
77′
Scott McKenna26
4′
Kevin Dicks2
67′
Denis Vavro3
73′
William Clem36
68′
Four. five’
Mohamed Elyounoussi10
28′
47′
87′
Orri Oskarsson18
68′
Victor Froholdt47
57′
8′
Elias Achouri30
57′
Replacements
Rúnar Rúnarsson31
Oscar Buur61
Christian Sorensen6
67′
Nicolai Boilesentwenty
Birger Meling24
77′
Magnus Mattsson8
57′
89′
Oscar Hojlund39
68′
Four. five’
Roony Bardghji40
57′
Jordan LarssonEleven
87′
Andreas Cornelius14
68′
83′
73′
coach
Pep Guardiola
Jacob Neestrup
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
