On evenings like this, Manchester City are like the Terminator: a relentless enemy who refuses to be intimidated no matter what is thrown at them. Copenhagen showed their mettle by responding to Kevin De Bruyne’s sparkling opener with Magnus Mattsson’s equaliser, before the Belgian struck home Bernardo Silva’s second.
All of these goals were scored before halftime. Before and after De Bruyne, he was City’s best personification of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the Hollywood blockbuster; This character’s nickname “I’ll be back” can be applied to this irresistible 32-year-old man.
Relating to: FC Copenhagen v Manchester City: Champions League last 16 first leg – live
The song I Don’t Like Mondays by Boomtown Rats is played during Copenhagen Champions League home matches. One line reads “no reason” and with De Bruyne fresh off a five-month injury recovery and in flying form, is there a good reason why Pep Guardiola’s side couldn’t claim the trophy? Because City have added a street-tough attitude to high-octane football, as shown here; Phil Foden’s final third was certainly a fatal blow for the Danish club, and again De Bruyne was the creator.
Guardiola said: “We played really well, we have to play at the right tempo. We managed the game; the players behaved well and performed. Copenhagen don’t come to take the ball, they wait for mistakes, defend the space. You have to be so patient. Don’t accept passes. The five players at the back were fantastic and The quality of our players Kevin and Phil was really good. [good].”
Jack Grealish and Silva were each injured. “Bernardo has a big blow on his ankle,” Guardiola said. “I haven’t talked to the doctor, but according to Jack, he looks muscular. He’s a muscular thing, his crotch – alas, gutted. We will do tests [on Wednesday]. I hope Bernardo isn’t a big problem. Chelsea at home [on Saturday] So I hope you can recover as quickly as possible.
Guardiola also gave information about Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic, who did not travel. “Josko will be out for two or three weeks due to an ankle ligament injury. Kova may come back [soon]”said the manager.
As usual, the home fans were a raucous mass of people shouting, although it didn’t last very long due to the opening kick. Foden turned and fired a shot towards De Bruyne, who curled towards Kamil Grabara’s right-hand post. Grealish’s dismissal in the 21st minute meant Guardiola’s game plan had to be readjusted. Jérémy Doku moved inside and immediately passed to Silva on the left. The Portuguese’s cross hit the bar off Grabara’s arm and Copenhagen escaped.
Foden was next on City’s injured list and although the visitors recovered as they maintained control, the relentless rhythm they loved to adopt was disrupted by injury stoppages. They are so successful that it can be rediscovered in an instant. This came in a spectacular sequence where Rodri’s strike to Doku’s left side was tipped down for Erling Haaland to volley marginally.
Guardiola’s mantra in Europe is about how any opponent can succeed. Copenhagen threatened for the first time when Magnus Mattsson nearly pulled the trigger in a crowded field. He did so a few minutes later and equalized. Ederson passed the ball to Mohamed Elyounoussi, his shot was blocked by Rúben Dias, the ball went to the midfielder and he fired into the top right corner.
The competition is definitely starting again. The Danish faithful’s noise level has skyrocketed again. Suddenly Mattsson came in once again but this time he jumped on him. Guardiola has spoken of how City have transformed into continental battleground believers under his management. Now it was time to prove it.
They did it perfectly and with appropriate timing – towards the end of the 45 minutes – and were able to thank De Bruyne once again, who was now the provider. A stray found Silva and once again he beat Grabara to his right and was greeted with an arm pump from Guardiola as City walked ahead.
In the first minutes of the second half, City took the ball and mobilized its opponent. But then Doku lost control, the home side took a corner, Mattsson flicked the ball in from the right and Elyounoussi went agonizingly close. City received a warning and De Bruyne took over.
First he unloaded, forcing Grabara to save. The next move was a move from the right, where Foden shot a free kick goalwards but Grabara held it. He was then getting upset by Kevin Diks in the center circle.
Rodri and Haaland may be touted as City’s most vital players, but De Bruyne is certainly this, his latest calling card galloping down the wing. His errors are also collector’s items, but when Foden made one Copenhagen used the pass to launch the ball high up the pitch, before Nathan Aké’s header cleared the danger.
Foden’s simple close-range effort sealed the victory. We expect City to return to home football within three weeks.