Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, asserted that the team has solidified its position as perennial contenders for Champions League triumph, having secured a spot in the quarter-finals for the seventh consecutive season. This achievement was accomplished on Wednesday with a 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium, culminating in a 6-2 aggregate victory. Notably, Guardiola opted to rest several key players during this match.
The match saw goals from Manuel Akanji and Julian Alvarez within the first 10 minutes, effectively sealing the outcome in City’s favor. Erling Haaland further bolstered City’s lead with his 29th goal of the season. Despite Mohamed Elyounoussi briefly narrowing the deficit for Copenhagen, the Danish champions were clearly outmatched over the two legs, highlighting City’s continued dominance on the European stage as they pursue another treble.
Having clinched their maiden European title last season, Guardiola acknowledged that City is now viewed as frontrunners for the Champions League title, surpassing traditional powerhouses such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
Furthermore, City’s stronghold at the Etihad Stadium in Champions League encounters is evident, with the team unbeaten at home since 2018. Their recent achievement of scoring three or more goals in nine consecutive home games also marks a historic milestone in the competition’s history.
“The important thing is being there (in the quarter-finals) seven years in a row, it’s quite impressive,” said Guardiola.
“We are well-respected from our opponents. The numbers are there – our consistency.
“I remember when I arrived, we didn’t believe, the club didn’t believe we could do it because we didn’t have the hierarchy in Europe like teams in Spain or Germany. It was a question of time, a process.
“The problem is the managers in modern football don’t have time. They gave me time, our hierarchy, so credit to them to accept the process. Now we are a team that believe we can do it.”
Guardiola exhibited strategic foresight towards Sunday’s imminent top-tier encounter in the Premier League against Liverpool, manifesting in his decision to implement seven alterations from the lineup that secured victory against Manchester United the previous weekend.
Night off for key trio
Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva were among the players who opted to rest on the bench for the entirety of the match, preparing themselves for the forthcoming journey to Anfield. Despite their absence, Manchester City displayed superiority on the field, further facilitated by defensive errors on the part of Copenhagen.
During the game, Akanji capitalized on Alvarez’s well-delivered corner kick, finding ample space in the central area of the penalty box to execute a precise shot into the top corner. This setback worsened for the visitors when Kamil Grabara, the former goalkeeper for Liverpool, failed to stop a seemingly straightforward shot from Alvarez.
Despite the setback, the Copenhagen supporters, numbering 2,500 strong, maintained their spirited presence at the Etihad Stadium, contributing to a lively atmosphere. Their enthusiasm was briefly rewarded when Elyounoussi, previously associated with Southampton and Celtic, orchestrated a skillful play with Orri Oskarsson, resulting in a goal shortly before the half-hour mark.
Erling Haaland, who had a relatively uneventful first half, sprung into action during stoppage time, receiving a precise pass from Rodri, maneuvering onto his favored left foot, and successfully striking the ball past Grabara at close range. This achievement notably elevated Haaland’s Champions League goal tally to 41, equating that of Sergio Aguero, City’s leading goalscorer, albeit achieved in only 37 appearances across three different clubs.
While City demonstrated a dominant performance in the first half, they somewhat eased off in the second, risking potential repercussions. However, the adept goalkeeping of Ederson prevented any substantial comeback from Copenhagen, showcasing Manchester City’s resilience.
With an impressive record of 18 wins and two draws in their last 20 matches across all competitions, Manchester City stands as a formidable force, both domestically and in European competitions. As anticipation builds for the Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals draw scheduled for March 15, City remains the team to beat, under the astute management of Pep Guardiola.