Phil Foden struck an important injury-time purpose to put Manchester City in management of their Champions League last-16 tie with a 3-1 victory over Copenhagen.
City prolonged their unbeaten run in Europe to 21 matches and can return to the Etihad on March 6 for the second leg, in between essential Premier League fixtures towards Manchester United and Liverpool, each reside on Sky Sports, to proceed their title defence.
Kevin De Bruyne struck the opener after simply 10 minutes amid a dominant begin which ought to have seen them additional forward earlier than Jack Grealish went off injured and an Ederson mistake allowed Copenhagen’s Magnus Mattsson to equalise.
But Bernardo Silva struck in added time of the primary half to restore their lead and after Erling Haaland had hit the crossbar, and been denied by goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, Foden netted in the 92nd minute to transfer City nearer to the quarter-finals.
How Man City beat Copenhagen
Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring Man City’s second with Phil Foden and Kevin De Bruyne
Man City may have scored twice in the opening 10 minutes earlier than De Bruyne gave them the lead. The midfielder glanced a header broad when nicely positioned in the field earlier than Nathan Ake hooked over from shut vary, however De Bruyne quickly clinically fired throughout the goalkeeper and into the underside left nook from a decent angle.
City had over 80 per cent possession in a dominant opening 20 minutes however have been dealt a blow when Grealish was pressured off and have been then inside inches of a second as Copenhagen centre-back Denis Vavro headed towards his personal crossbar.
Ederson had barely touched the ball till he gifted the hosts a approach again into the sport. The goalkeeper performed a stray cross out to Mohamed Elyounoussi and the ricochet from his blocked shot was curled dwelling from the sting of the field by debutant Mattsson.
Mattsson then volleyed over from contained in the City space earlier than being concerned in a lucky second for the guests. In a deal with with De Bruyne, the ball ricocheted completely via to Silva, who flicked it previous the goalkeeper.
Bernardo Silva celebrates scoring his purpose for Manchester City
City began the second half slowly, discovering alternatives tougher to come by with solely De Bruyne’s shot from outdoors the world having to be tipped round the best put up.
Ake had to be alert to clear Elyounoussi’s cross which substitute Andreas Cornelius was ready to flip dwelling earlier than Grabara flung to his left to parry Jeremy Doku’s highly effective effort.
City pushed laborious for a third in the ultimate quarter-hour, seeing Haaland denied on three events with a deflected header placing the crossbar earlier than Grabara saved twice. The goalkeeper, although, was lastly crushed once more as De Bruyne pulled the ball again from the byline for Foden to slot.
Guardiola: Today was excellent – I’m proud
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola talking to TNT Sports:
“Really, really good, so proud. It was important. Today was perfect. They were patient in the right moments. Really good. I’m really proud of the team. The third goal helped us a lot. Hopefully, we can finish it off at home and go to the next game.
“It was important to not lose the tie right here. The sport was very well performed from the primary minute. We conceded a purpose however typically that occurs.
“In the second half, they played with five in the back but in general we did well. We didn’t concede transitions or make the crowd support the team… We had the perfect tempo so really pleased.”
On Kevin De Bruyne’s influence since returning: “Yeah, extraordinary. The first goal was amazing, the right pass and tempo from Phil Foden. The biggest players appear on the biggest stages. It’s the hour of truth. We started well. We have to do our job and finish it. I’m just really pleased for the result.”
De Bruyne: I’m comfortable and feeling good
Kevin De Bruyne celebrates scoring Man City’s opener at Copenhagen
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne spoke to TNT Sports after scoring and producing one help:
“I’m just trying to play good. It’s been a long five or six months but I’m just happy to be back, helping the team win games and be at my best.
“I really feel alright. Obviously, I nonetheless want a pair extra video games and minutes. I’ve not performed 90 minutes for nearly a 12 months however I’m getting there, I’m feeling good and the extent is nice sufficient for the second – so I’m comfortable.”
Opta Stats: De Bruyne shines in knockout stages again
- Manchester City have now won each of their last 11 games in all competitions, their longest such run since a 21-game run between December 2020 and March 2021.
- Manchester City became the first side in UEFA Champions League history to score 3+ goals in seven successive games, while they’re just the third team to do so in four successive away games in the competition after Barcelona in February 2012 and FC Bayern München in February 2020.
- Since the start of 2019-20, Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne (10) is just the fourth player to score at least 10 goals in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League after Karim Benzema (17), Erling Haaland (13) and Robert Lewandowski (11).
- FC København’s Magnus Mattsson became just the second player in UEFA Champions League history to make his debut in the knockout stages and subsequently score against the reigning champions after Leroy Sané for FC Schalke 04 against Real Madrid in March 2015.
What’s next?
Man City are back in Premier League action at home to Chelsea on Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage beginning at 5pm and kick off at 5.30pm.
Monday twelfth February 6:30pm
Their second leg with Copenhagen on the Etihad is on Wednesday March 6.
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