by This win was as smooth and comfortable as Manchester City’s return to the quarter-finals on Friday week. Going into this second leg 3-1 up, Pep Guardiola fielded an XI that limited the frontline artillery of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Nathan Aké and Kyle Walker ahead of the crunch game against Liverpool at the weekend – with Copenhagen still trailing 3-1 at the break, 6-2 on aggregate.
City scorers were Manuel Akanji, Julián Álvarez and Erling Haaland, with Mohamed Elyounoussi registering Copenhagen’s consolation as the second half became an exercise in keeping shape and concentration for Guardiola’s side.
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Whichever team City are paired with in Nyon will inspire any fear in the ranks or Guardiola, whose top unit remains in charge of what would be an impressive defense of the treble.
“We are a team that believes we can do it,” Guardiola said. “Listen, we are competing with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. We don’t know who we will be facing. It’s a matter of waiting and seeing. The important thing is seven years in a row that we are there [in the quarter-finals]. If you play against Bayern Munich [for example] – how many Champions Leagues they have [six] and its history. We are also scared but at the same time we are like in a dream to be here.
“I said to the players: ‘For me, every time we go through, wow, I know how difficult it is.’ Today Madrid suffered to go through [2-1] against Leipzig. People take it for granted. That’s good, our standards are there but we know internally that it’s difficult but everything is so complicated.”
What Copenhagen didn’t need was to concede twice, within five minutes. Diligent work from Rico Lewis secured a corner and from here it was simple for the holders. Álvarez turned the ball into the area, Peter Ankersen failed to handle Akanji and it went past Kamil Grabara.
City’s second came soon after. This time Álvarez scored – from his own corner, on the left. Rodri led the No. 1 delivery. 19 against the bar, the ball bounced back to him, and Álvarez unloaded directly at Grabara: hit the No.
At 5-1 up overall in the game elimination was underway. Mateo Kovacic gave Jacob Neestrup the opportunity to have a chat with his players. The message was to hold it tight as long as possible and see where it took them.
No advice, however, can mitigate when you are a class or two below as Neestrup also conceded. Oscar Bobb was a fitting emblem of this. It was only his second start to the tournament as No. 10, the 20-year-old floated, receiving the ball, darting and offloading.
However, Bobb was at fault when Copenhagen scored. A loose pass from Norway allowed the Danish club to break. Elyounoussi turned down the left, cut into the field and tapped Orri Óscarsson. A slick goal put the ball back and No. 10.
Guardiola grabbed Rohit Saggi’s arm while arguing a point with the fourth official as a sign of frustration that erupted when City scored in extra time. Rodri dropped a cross into Haaland who lurked in the inside-right zone in the area: he controlled, shimmied between Scott McKenna and Elias Jelert and hit Grabara on the left.
Guardiola’s second-half move was to rest Rodri ahead of Sunday’s trip to Anfield in a rejig that saw his replacement, Sergio Gómez, move to the left, Álvarez move across and Kovacic drop into the Spain pivot role.
The atmosphere was determined but what Guardiola wanted was to stick to the patterns and rhythms in which he drills them. There will be joy at the death of Josko Gvardiol, Kovacic, Rúben Dias, Bobb, Álvarez et al and, as the competition went beyond an hour, the temptation to bring out Haaland grew.
Related: Vinícius takes Real Madrid past tight RB Leipzig and into the last eight
In his first City campaign, Matheus Nunes has convinced more and more. On the right, the Portuguese’s fluid movement inside showed an understanding of Guardiola’s geometric demands, as did a jink along his flanks, a pirouette, and a simple lay-off to a teammate in a better area.
Now, Ederson showed he is aware of the need for the goalkeeper to be on his toes at all times as he stopped Magnus Mattsson’s shot at the penalty spot, and when Guardiola made another substitution it was to give Stones a 22nd minute run , God gave. the inhaler.
The Nunes were removed with a problem that was like a painful finger. In the end the Copenhagen faithful were dancing and singing. Their spirit deserves praise, as does City’s relentless quality.
Neestrup offered a scathing verdict on City. “They work hard,” said the Copenhagen manager.
