Guardiola has ‘huge respect’ for round of 16 opponents Copenhagen
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Manchester City travel to Denmark this evening as they face FC Copenhagen in the first knockout round of this season’s Champions League.
Pep Guardiola’s team swept confidently through Group G winning all six of their matches and scoring 18 goals. In fact, City scored three times in each of their group stage games, a stat Guardiola would love to bring into the knockout rounds. The reigning champions are currently on a 10-game winning streak across all competitions and look well set to defend their European title.
Copenhagen are a surprise package though. They finished second in a group containing Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and Manchester United, ultimately knocking the City’s local rivals out of the competition entirely.
However, Erling Haaland is back to his goalscoring best and playmaker extraordinaire Kevin De Bruyne had fully recovered from a hamstring injury that meant his missed the group stages. Haaland scored five goals in as many games, and with De Bruyne as his supplier City look even more threatening than they were in the first part of the competition.
Follow all the action from Copenhagen plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Copenhagen 0-1 Man City
19 mins: Diogo Goncalves clips the outside of Jack Grealish’s right ankle and sends the winger to the deck. He immediately signals to the bench and the physios come on to check him over.
Mike Jones13 February 2024 20:19
Copenhagen 0-1 Man City
16 mins: Copenhagen have everyone behind the ball when City are in possession. The hosts have truly struggled to get a foothold in this match yet.
Ake attempts to pick out Haaland in the box but overhits the aerial ball and Grabara tidies up.
Mike Jones13 February 2024 20:17
Copenhagen 0-1 Man City
13 mins: Man City have dominated this game from the very start. Copenhagen are being blown away and if things continue like this City will rack up a monster score.
Ake delivers another cross into the box and Erling Haaland comes close to adding a second before the hosts scoop the ball away.
Mike Jones13 February 2024 20:14
GOAL! Copenhagen 0-1 Man City (De Bruyne, 11’)⚽️
10 mins: Ruben Dias switches the play out to Phil Foden on the right wing. He slips a pass into the box to match Kevin De Bruyne’s run.
The midfielder looks towards goal the guides a low side-footed effort wide of the Kamil Grabara and into the far bottom corner!
Mike Jones13 February 2024 20:11
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
9 mins: Jack Grealish wins City a free kick just outside the penalty area. De Bruyne sets the ball then rattles his shot at goal straight into the wall.
Mohamed Elyounoussi is given the loose ball and he brings it down the pitch for Copenhagen.
Mike Jones13 February 2024 20:10
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
6 mins: Save! A quick free kick releases Jack Grealish into the right side of the box. He lifts a cross over to Ruben Dias who nods a header at goal.
Kamil Grabara leaps to his right a plucks the ball off the line but palms it to Nathan Ake who can only send his reactionary rebound over the top!
Mike Jones13 February 2024 20:07
Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
Jack Grealish brings the ball down the left wing combining with Nathan Ake to get up the pitch. He releases the ball back to the left-back who curls a perfect cross into the middle.
Kevin De Bruyne gets up highest but can;t find the target with his header which bounces wide of the goal.
Mike Jones13 February 2024 20:04
Kick off! Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
The home side get the ball rolling for this Champions League tie. They boot it up the pitch but Rodri is fouled by Viktor Claesson and City win themselves a free kick.
Mike Jones13 February 2024 20:01
Copenhagen vs Man City
Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites to win tonight but Pep Guardiola has never triumphed at this stadium as either a player or manager.
Is that a positive sign for the hosts? Kick off is up next…
Mike Jones13 February 2024 19:57
Pre-match thoughts from Pep Guardiola
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola on facing FC Copenhagen: “We have seen what Copenhagen can do against Manchester United and Galatasaray in a really tough group. When I saw what they did I thought ‘wow’.
“They will be starving to compete and full of energy. I don’t know what their rhythm will be like but hopefully we will be at a good level to compete.
“We have to be prepared mentally. We have to be ready to suffer as it will be a tight game. Normally, my gut doesn’t lie to me.”
Mike Jones13 February 2024 19:55
