Guardiola talks up Foden’s impact on Man City after derby delight: ‘He is winning games’
Manchester City take on Copenhagen in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola’s side left Denmark with a 3-1 lead after goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden, and the advantage could encourage the manager to rotate his squad, with a match against Liverpool coming up on Sunday.
City will also be boosted by their dominant 3-1 win in the Manchester derby, coming back from a goal behind to move to one point behind Jurgen Klopp’s men.
However, Guardiola urged his side not to be complacent ahead of the clash, saying at a press conference: “In football everything can happen, and we have to be aware of that.
“We have respect for Copenhagen and how they play. The Champions League is Champions League. The best eight teams in Europe [will move to the next round].”
Follow all the live action in the blog below and get the latest odds and tips here.
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)
45 mins: Three minutes of added time to play before the break.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:47
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)
42 mins: As half-time approaches, Manchester City are in full control. They’re trying to get high into the final third but Copenhagen are defending well.
Erling Haaland has barely had a chance to shoot.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:44
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)
38 mins: Elyounoussi jogs off a heavy challenge as Copenhagen try to work the ball down the right wing. City recover possession but Josko Gvardiol loses the ball to Victor Froholdt.
The visitors look to go forward but don’t get very far.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:40
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)
35 mins: There’s a belief and a confidence about Copenhagen now. They’ve got nothing to lose in this tie and their fans are being very vocal. They want to see more goals and are encouraging the visitors to attack more.
City try to regain control of the ball. They’re sitting on 70% possession already.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:35
Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg)
32 mins: That goal came just as the TNT commentators were speaking about how Manchester City’s high play leaves them vulnerable defensively.
Copenhagen have one goal, if they can get another before half-time they’ll be over the moon and right back in the contest.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:33
GOAL! Man City 2-1 Copenhagen (5-2 agg) – Elyounoussi, 29’ ⚽️
29 mins: Copenhagen pull on back!
This is a wonderful goal from the visitors. Man City are pressing high up the pitch as Mohamed Elyounoussi drives the ball forward. He slips a pass into the box for Orri Oskarsson who backheels the ball back to him.
Elyounoussi opens up his body and sidefoots a finish past Ederson.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:31
Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)
24 mins: City are doing what City do. Controlling possession, forcing their opponents to defend deep and playing the game at their own tempo before injecting some pace in the final third.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:27
Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)
21 mins: Oscar Bobb and Erling Haaland combine to work the ball into the box before Haaland shoots and wins a corner after Kevin Diks’ block.
The set piece is defended by Victor Froholdt who nods it behind for another corner.
Julian Alvarez whips the next one into the six-yard box and worries the goalkeeper for a minute. Grabara leaps to tip the ball over the crossbar but the whistle goes for a Copenhagen free kick.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:22
Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)
18 mins: Elias Achouri does well to win Copenhagen a corner and he whips the ball into the penalty area himself. It drops to teenager William Clem who decides to take a shot and smokes a half-volley over the crossbar.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:20
Man City 2-0 Copenhagen (5-1 agg)
15 mins: Close! This could be a massive scoreline for Man City. Matheus Nunes sweeps into space on the right side of the pitch and carries the ball into the box.
He pulls it back looking for Erling Haaland but the pass gets intercepted.
Mike Jones6 March 2024 20:16