Copenhagen - Manchester City summary: score, goals, highlights, Champions League
Champions League: Copenhagen - Manchester City live updates
Full-time thoughts: Copenhagen 1-3 Manchester City
The first 34 minutes might be the most dominant I’ve ever seen a team in any game. City completely monopolised possession but only had one goal, clinically struck by De Bruyne, to show for their complete and utter supremacy.
Ederson, who hadn’t touched the ball until then, had a moment of madness which gifted Copenhagen an opportunity, although it was superbly finished by Mattsson, who levelled out of nowhere.
Could City step it back up a gear? They could, although they needed some good fortune to retake the lead on the stroke of half time, Bernardo expertly clipping past Grabara after the ball had broken to him inside the box.
Guardiola’s men were in total control in the second period, in which the hosts failed to muster a single opportunity to score. De Bruyne, Doku and Haaland kept Grabara busy, but Foden gave his team what will surely be a decisive two-goal advantage with the last kick of the game.
Last word to Foden in 50th Champions League game
Phil Foden has been in red-hot form of late and continued that in Denmark, scoring with the very last kick of the game to give City a two-goal cushion going into the second leg.
His 50th Champions League appearance, and there will be plenty more to come.
Cargando...
Kevin De Bruyne: better than ever?
What was KDB doing while he was away? He seems to have got even better during the time he was out. Berardo and Foden aren't bad either...
Cargando...
Manchester City look to have this tie pretty much sewn up, but what about today's other round-of-16 clash between RB Leipzig and Real Madrid?
No spoilers here, Joe was all over it and will let you know how it went down.
Copenhagen 1-3 Man City: what the stats say
3.39 expected goals, 27 shots, 13 on target. The only blemish was that daft pass from Ederson which led to Copenhagen's goal. Oh, and that first-half injury to Jack Grealish.
Thanks again to our friends at Sofascore.
When's the second leg?
The second leg of the tie will be played on Wednesday 6 March at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Anyone betting against City? Didn't think so...
De Bruyne, Bernardo and Foden on target
Those three are just silky smooth, aren't they? Who's stopping this City team?
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Full time: Copenhagen 1-3 Manchester City
Foden scores with the last kick of the game! City have one foot (and maybe a few more toes) in the quarter-finals.
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL MAN CITY! FODEN!
That's that, no question!
Foden slides De Bruyne into the box on the right, continues his run into the box and gets on the end of the Belgian's cutback, firing powerfully into the net from close range!
Haaland denied twice by Grabara!
We've hardly seen him, but that was Haaland (almost) at his best! He blasts past Vavro and is denied by a fine Grabara save, who gets back up and saves his header from a follow-up cross!
Three minutes of injury time to be played.
De Bruyne looks to feed a pass through into the box for Haaland, but it's off-target and the Norwegian cuts a frustrated figure, as he has done all night.
Foden and De Bruyne work an opening for City down the right, but the Belgian's low cross is well cleared by McKenna.
De Bruyne effort saved!
De Bruyne hits it low, under the wall, but Grabara pounces on it.
Now, City have a chance for a third from a free kick just outside the box...
Elyounoussi thinks he has the chance to counter but quickly finds himself surrounded by City players, who pick his pocket with ease. This is just not happening for the Danes.
Copenhagen haven't put more than a handful of passes together in what feels like forever.
Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup sees yellow
Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup has just seen yellow, presumably for something he said to the Spanish referee.
It's great to stick attack-minded players on. The only problem is that it's useless if you can't get the ball...
Jordan Larsson on for Copenhagen
Jordan Larsson, the son of Henrik, is on, as is Sorensen. Mattsson and Achouri replaced.
10 minutes to go. Have Copenhagen got anything in the tank?
Foden fires over!
It sits up invitingly for Foden on the edge of the box, he catches it well but can't keep it down!
Bernardo goes off after knock
Last involvement for Bernardo, who is replaced by Nunes.
Haaland clips the bar!
Great patience from City as they look for an opening. Bernardo chips the ball up to the back post for Haaland, who gets a head to it under pressure and it clips the bar on its way over. It looks as if it took a nick.
I can't see how Copenhagen are going to get a goal here.
De Bruyne curls the free kick into the box but gets it all wrong and it lands on top of the net.
Diks next in the book
Like London buses, as they say. Bernardo takes a heavy touch (yes, really), Diks slides in but is slightly late and catches the City attacker. That looked a sore one.
Falk sees first yellow card
Hojlund makes an immediate impact, giving away a foul for clattering into Haaland. Falk isn't happy and gets booked for dissent.
Hojlund looking to down Manchester City
Oscar Hojlund, brother of Manchester United striker Rasmus, is on for the home team. Gonçalves goes off.
Grabara keeps out Doku effort!
That was a much better strike! Ake does well to tee up Doku, whose fierce shot is beaten away by Grabara!
Rodri...well wide
Remember Rodri's fine goal to win last season's Champions League final? Yeah, well, that one was nothing like it. Well, well wide from the Spaniard, who didn't connect with that one.
Foden shot deflected wide!
Doku rolls a pass into Foden, whose shot from the edge of the box is deflected wide!
Achouri gets away from Rodri on the left and drives towards the City box. His cross is into a decent area, but there are no white jerseys nearby.
Tame Haaland effort
Felk gives it away cheaply, De Bruyne floats it into the box for Haaland, who tries to loop a header over Grabara but doesn't get nearly enough it.
There's no beating Jelert for pace. First Doku, now Walker, two of the quickest players in the Premier League haven't been able to get away from the Copenhagen full-back.
Ake makes crucial clearance!
For almost the first time, Copenhagen get bodies forward. Elyounoussi floats in a cross from the left that Cornelius has his eyes on, but Ake makes a last-ditch headed clearance!
Jelert has been brilliant for Copenhagen! A brilliant City move involving De Bruyne, Foden and Haaland ends with the full-back careering into a superb tackle on KDB.
Walker spots Doku in space on the left and tries to play the ball in behind but overcooks it and Grabara collects.
Still no sign of Haaland coming to life...
Foden tries to catch Grabara out from a free-kick out wide, but that's catching practice for the keeper.
Cornelius on for Copenhagen
Cornelius, who played in the Premier League for Cardiff, you'll no doubt remember, replaces Claesson for the hosts.
De Bruyne shot saved!
It's never a good idea to give KDB space on the edge of the box...he takes a touch and shoots, only for Grabara to make a fine stop down to his left.
Bernardo curls a nice-looking ball in from the right and Foden goes for the spectacular, only to take a swipe on the volley and miss it completely!
Dias' challenge almost ricochets through for Achouri but has just enough on it to run through to Ederson.
The hosts have started the second half MUCH better than they did the first. Much better.
Mattsson's corner is flicked across goal by Elyounoussi but nobody in a white jersey can get on the end of it at the back post.
Some moments of promise for the hosts! Mattsson is involved again and wins a corner off Ake.
Guess what? City are passing it around for fun. No cutting edge just yet, though.
Second half underway in Copenhagen!
Man City get us back up and running.
Here come the teams!
Did De Bruyne really assist Bernardo's goal
A love MisterChip, I really do. But there's no way I'm having that as a KDB assist for Bernando. NO WAY!
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City's dominance in numbers
Just the 76% possession for City in the first half. I'd say it was probably about 90% up until Copenhagen's goal after 34 minutes.
Thanks to our friends over at SofaScore.
Haaland on the periphery
The bad news for Copenhagen is that Erling Haaland has barely been in the game...Surely that'll change in the second half?
Six touches must still be more than Ederson, I'll say.
Cargando...
Bernardo Silva restores City's lead
Bernardo Silva just oozes class. He was lucky to get the ball for the second goal, but what a finish!
Cargando...
Half-time thoughts: Copenhagen 1-2 Manchester City
The first 34 minutes might be the most dominant I’ve ever seen a team in any game. City completely monopolised possession and created some decent openings, the best of which was clinically finished by De Bruyne after only 10 minutes.
From then, it looked as if Guardiola’s side would go on to extend their lead, although some stout defending and good fortune ensured the score remained just 1-0.
And then, Ederson, who hadn’t touched the ball, played a horrific pass out in an attempt to find Ake, with Mattsson eventually curling a superb finish into the corner.
The hosts’ joy was short lived, though, but City needed a stroke of luck to retake the lead on the stroke of half time, a loose ball falling to Bernardo, who brilliantly clipped the ball past Grabara.
Grealish and Ederson City's negatives
On the whole, a fine first half for City, other than an injury to Jack Grealish, which forced him off, and a clanger from Ederson, who gifted Copenhagen an unlikely goal.
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Half time: Copenhagen 1-2 Manchester City
A half of two halves! De Bruyne and Bernardo's goals put City in front at the break!
Surely that will City back down again, right?
Three minutes were added on just before Bernardo's goal. So about one left.
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL MAN CITY! BERNARDO SILVA!
A brilliant finish...but it was incredibly lucky!
De Bruyne takes a bad touch (for once), but Mattsson's interception ricochets off the Belgian and into the path of Bernardo, who clips a SUPERB effort past Grabara!
De Bruyne shot blocked!
That was travelling from KDB! Thankfully for Copenhagen, McKenna got his body in the way.
Ahhh, that was a chance for the hosts! Gonçalves' pass over the City defence, who are incredibly high, is just too heavy for two runners and drifts through to Ederson.
Superb defending from Jelert! Doku got him where he wanted him, but the full-back matched him for pace and saw the ball out.
City still bossing it, but their dominance isn't quite what it was.
Mattsson blazes over!
Jelert chips the ball up to the back post for Mattsson, who's all alone in the box but fires well over! Amazing how a goal out of nowhere can change things.
Mattsson's debut Copenhagen goal
Thank you very much, Ederson!
A quality finish from Mattsson, though. He still had plenty to do.
Cargando...
Let's see if the hosts have just poked the bear...
That was horrendous from Ederson. That's being kind. His first involvement in the game. Not sure what he's been daydreaming about.
An Ederson howler
I was just going to say I don't think Ederson had touched the ball...He gets it, plays an atrocious pass out towards Ake which Elyounoussi cuts out. The winger's shot is blocked into the path of Mattsson, who curls a superb strike into the corner!
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL COPENHAGEN! MATTSSON!
WHAT ON EARTH??? A brilliant finish from Mattson!
Copenhagen finally get into the City box in open play! Gonçalves has a bit of space but is facing away from goal and is eventually crowded out.
Copenhagen on the ropes
I'm stating the obvious, but Copenhagen are skating on thin ice. A few last-ditch blocks and deflections later, and the danger is momentarily over.
Big chance for Haaland!
Doku nudges the ball across goal into Haaland's path and the striker acrobatically flies at it, volleying just over!
Everyone bar Ederson is in the Copenhagen half...again,
Foden back on
He's back! Phew (for City).
It looks, at least, as if Foden will be able to play on. Waiting patiently by the touchline.
Foden down!
Uh oh...
Gonçalves is at it again, catching Foden late in midfield. Another City man down...
Jelert does well to nip that City break in the bud, winning a foul from KDB.
A short-lived attack. Here comes the counter...
Copenhagen corner!
Do not adjust your screens!
City hit the bar!
Bernardo gets away down the left and his cross is headed off his own bar by Vavro!
De Bruyne: the new "Mr Champions League"?
Superb stuff this from the main man. 10 goals and nine assists in 22 games? That's insane.
Cargando...
City change: Doku replaces Grealish
No can do for Jack Grealish. He's off, Doku on.
11 men, 10 men, nine men or one man, you'd fancy City to dominate the ball, wouldn't you? Which is what they're still doing.
City playing on with 10 for now.
A little break in play as Grealish gets some attention, Now chatting to Pep.
Grealish goes down
This isn't looking good for Grealish. Gonçalves looks as if he caught the City man in midfield, and he's gone down while looking at the bench. Let's see.
City are keeping the ball, keeping the ball and keeping the ball a bit more. The possession and passing stats will be interesting at half time...
King Kev De Bruyne
Have KDB's superpowers, which were already pretty super, been strengthened by his long hair? The City media team need a new snap here, surely?
Cargando...
Haaland's first glimpse
It looked for a second as if Haaland was going to get on the end of Ake's left-wing cross there, but it was just out of reach. We've not really seen the big striker yet, which is not good news for the Danes.
Kevin de Bruyne missed four months of action with a hamstring problem. He looks even better than he was before, which is ridiculous to say.
GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL MAN CITY! DE BRUYNE!
Well, that's been coming since the word 'go'...
Foden plays a lovely ball in behind Mattsson and De Bruyne calmly slots the ball into the bottom corner. Inch-perfect!
KDB does hit it, but it hits the wall and the danger is over.
A free kick is a VERY dangerous position for City as Grealish is chopped down by Claesson. De Bruyne could hit this...
An ominous start for the hosts.
On second viewing, the ball did fall a little bit behind him. Maybe I'm being a bit harsh.
Ake misses from close range!
How has Ake missed that one?? Bernardo clips the ball up to the back post, Grabara palms it on to Ake, who lofts it over from no more than two yards!
Copenhagen did venture into the City half immediately after kickoff, stayed there for about 20 seconds, but have been camped inside their own half since.
Huge chance for De Bruyne!
KDB should score! Ake whips a fine cross right onto the head of De Bruyne, who gets it horribly wrong from six yards out. He was all alone between defenders!
All City so far in terms of on the ball stuff. Stones has moved forward into midfield from his starting position in defence.
And a massive cheer as a stray pass runs through to Grabara.
HUGE boos as City begin controlling possession, as you'd expect.
Remember this is the Danes' first competitive game in two months. Not the one I would've picked...
Champions League back underway!
And we're off! Copenhagen get us going! Can they do it??
"I Will Survive" has just been blasted out over the PA system at Parken, which feels quite apt. If they don't believe it themselves...
Champions League anthem
It's Champions League anthem time! The atmosphere inside Parken is ELECTRIC!
Haaland, De Bruyne and Grealish together again
This, I've just heard, is the first time since the Champions League final that Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish have started a game together.
Cargando...
Manchester City XI against Copenhagen
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodrigo, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.
- goalkeeper
- 31Ederson Moraes
- defenders
- 5John Stones
- 6Aké
- 3Rúben Dias
- 2Walker
- midfielders
- 17De Bruyne
- 10Grealish
- 20Bernardo Silva
- 47Foden
- 16Rodrigo
- forwards
- 9Erling Braut Haaland
- substitutes
- CoachPep Guardiolas
- 52Oscar Bobb
- 18Stefan Ortega
- 76Mahamadou Susoho
- 56Jacob Wright
- 25Manuel Akanji
- 11Jeremy Doku
- 19Julián Álvarez
- 33Carson
- 27Matheus
- 82Rico Lewis
Copenhagen XI against Manchester City
Grabara; Diks, McKenna, Vavro, Jelert; Mattsson, Falk, Gonçalves; Achouri, Claesson, Elyounoussi.
- goalkeeper
- 1Kamil Grabara
- defenders
- 26Scott McKenna
- 3Vavro
- 19Elias Jelert
- 2Kevin Diks
- midfielders
- 33Jensen
- 8Magnus Mattsson
- 9Diogo Gonçalves
- forwards
- 30Elias Achouri
- 10Mohammed Elyounoussi
- 7Claesson
- substitutes
- CoachJacob Neestrups
- 31Rúnar Rúnarsson
- 47Victor Froholdt
- 61Oscar Gadeberg-Buur
- 6Christian Sørensen
- 40Roony Bardghji
- 14Cornelius
- 36William Clem
- 22P. Ankersen
- 39Oscar Højlund
- 11Larsson
- 24Birger Meling
- 18Orri Steinn Óskarsson
Only a few minutes to go until kick-off, so we should probably take another look at how the teams are going to line up!
Copenhagen - Manchester City: previous meetings
5 October 2022: Man City 5-0 Copenhagen
11 October 2022: Copenhagen 0-0 Man City
How many times has Pep Guardiola won the Champions League?
He's often cited as the best manager of all time and Pep Guardiola has won three Champions Leagues (two with Barcelona, one with City). Will he think he might've left one or two out there? Considering it feels as if he's had the best team almost every season forever, maybe he will...
Cargando...
Still looking for a way to watch today's game? If you’re in the United States, then you’re in luck as there is a way and our Fidel is here with the details!
Just make sure you stay with me too, please!
You can also watch a Copenhagen vs Man City live stream on fuboTV, which offers a free trial
Who has won more league titles, Copenhagen or Manchester City?
I've got to find a way to give Copenhagen some hope, right?!
The Lions have won15 Danish league titles compared to City's nine in England...I told you Pep's boys were underdogs right at the start, didn't I?
Manchester City’s road to UCL glory in 2022-23
Group stage
Sevilla, Dortmund, Copenhagen (4 wins and 2 draws)
Round of 16
8-1 vs RB Leipzig
Quarter-finals
4-1 vs Bayern Munich
Semi-finals
5-1 vs Real Madrid
Final
1-0 vs Inter
Copenhagen's Champions League record
Copenhagen have featured in the Champions League group stage six times and have made it to the round of 16 twice, including this year. If they defeat City over two legs, this will be their best ever performance in Europe...but I won't be putting my mortgage on it.
Manchester City's Champions League record
Manchester City finally won their first Champions League in 2022-23 at the 12th attempt, having previously had a few near misses. City have only twice failed to make it to the knockout rounds, were semi-finalists in 2016 and 2022, and beaten finalists in 2021.
Copenhagen: last six games
- Copenhagen 3-1 Molde (friendly)
- Copenhagen 1-2 Brondby (friendly)
- Elfsborg 4-5 Copenhagen (friendly)
- Sparta Prague 1-2 Copenhagen (friendly)
- Rangers 2-2 Copenhagen (friendly)
- Copenhagen 1-0 Galatasaray
When was Copenhagen’s last game?
Adding to the obstacles in front of Copenhagen is that they haven't played a competitive game since 12 December, when they defeated Galatasaray to make it through to the Champions League round of 16. The Danish season runs through the summer, with their last domestic league game coming on 3 December, followed by a two-legged Danish Cup final defeat to Silkeborg.
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Will Manchester City win the Premier League?
City have been boringly good in the Premier League in recent years, winning four of the last five. Is anyone betting against them adding another? Like Arsenal, they aretwo points behind leaders Liverpool as it stands, but they have a game in hand on both teams.
Manchester City: last six games
- Man City 2-0 Everton
- Brentford 1-3 Man City
- Man City 3-1 Burnley
- Tottenham 0-1 Man City
- Newcastle 2-3 Man City
- Man City 5-0 Huddersfield Town
Manchester City's 10-game winning streak
Look away now, Copenhagen fans. City's 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday was their 10th in a row in all competitions. They are unbeaten in 13 and have lost only one of their last 23 games.
You can afford to smile and laugh, KDB.
Cargando...
Copenhagen vs Manchester City: squad values
Copenhagen couldn't have asked for a tougher tie, no matter what metric you use. Of the 16 teams remaining, the Danes are last when it comes to the value of their squad, while no roster is worth more than Manchester City's. The bigger they are, the harder the fall...
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(Former) Premier League men start for Copenhagen
I don't think it's too wild to suggest the Copenhagen side has fewer household names than the Man City one. But Premier League fans might remember winger Mohamed Elyounoussi, once of Southampton, while central defender Scott McKenna is on loan from Nottingham Forest. Jordan Larsson, the son of Sweden legend Henrik, is on the bench, as is Rasmus Hojlund's brother Oscar.
Copenhagen team to play Manchester City
Here is the Copenhagen team to take on City. Good luck, lads! Rather you than me. A 4-3-3 by the looks of things.
Grabara; Diks, McKenna, Vavro, Jelert; Mattsson, Falk, Gonçalves; Achouri, Claesson, Elyounoussi.
Cargando...
Follow RB Leipzig - Real Madrid live on AS USA
Here, as promised, is how you can follow Real Madrid's game at RB Leipzig, with my esteemed colleague Joe. No Jude Bellingham, sadly for Los Blancos, but you might learn what RB actually stands for (if you didn't already know).
Just be sure to stick with me too, please, you can keep both pages open. You know it makes sense.
Champions League round 16 overview
Today's game is one of two that is being played on Tuesday, along with Real Madrid's visit to RB Leipzig. I'll let you know in just a second how you can follow that right here on AS USA.
For now, here's an overview of the Champions League's return, with everything you need to know about each of he eight round-of-16 ties.
Erling Haaland’s Champions League goals
"How many goals is Erling Haaland going to score today?" seems a perfectly sensible question to me, no matter the opponent. That's true especially in the Champions League, a competition he's scored 40 goals in just 35 appearances in. I can see him adding to that tonight, especially after his two goals against Everton at the weekend. The foot injury has long been forgotten about.
Copenhagen head into The Lion's Den
No news on the Copenhagen line-up just yet, so you'll have to make do with some snaps of the hosts, nicknamed The Lions, arriving at Parken. Are they looking a bit nervous? I wouldn't blame them...
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Copenhagen squad news
As if things weren’t going to be hard enough for Copenhagen (I might say this a couple more times), they do have a few absences to contend with.
Midfielder Lukas Lerager is suspended, while goalkeeper Theo Sander, centre-back Davit Khocholava and left-back Nicolai Boilesen are all suffering from knee injuries. Must be contagious.
Manchester City team to play Copenhagen
With that in mind, this is Pep Guardiola's team for tonight's game. Grealish in for Doku is what immediately catches my eye, along with De Bruyne playing a slightly deeper midfield role?
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake; Rodrigo, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.
Cargando...
Manchester City squad news
Unbelievably, Pep Guardiola has a full squad to choose from for this game! When was the last time we said that about a top European team? Haaland’s back, De Bruyne’s back…look out Copenhagen!
When is kickoff between Copenhagen and Manchester City?
We don’t have too long to wait until things get going, as the clash in Copenhagen gets underway at 9:00 p.m. local time, which is 3:00 p.m. ET and 12:00 p.m. PT. How about taking an extended lunch break for this one? It’ll be worth it, I (almost) promise!
Over the next hour or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let’s go!
Cargando...
Hello and welcome to Copenhagen - Manchester City!
The Chaaaaaaaaampions! Your favourite European club soccer competition is back, and it’s back with a bang! We’ve got the favourites against the underdogs for you tonight, as Manchester City look to upset Copenhagen…wait, have I got that the right way round?
Either way, an intriguing first leg of this round-of-16 tie is in store for us at Parken Stadium in Denmark.
Thanks for joining me (Roddy) for this one.