Manchester City, the reigning Champions League holders, advanced to the quarter-finals for the seventh straight season with a comfortable 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen on March 6. The win sealed a 6-2 aggregate triumph for City, who had taken a two-goal cushion into the second leg.
First-Half Dominance
City wasted no time in asserting their dominance, taking the lead in the fifth minute through Manuel Akanji. The Swiss defender volleyed home Julian Alvarez’s corner to give City an early advantage.
Four minutes later, Alvarez doubled City’s lead thanks to a calamitous error from Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. The Polish shot-stopper let Alvarez’s shot slip through his hands, allowing the Argentine forward to tap into an empty net.
Erling Haaland put the game beyond Copenhagen’s reach just before halftime, slotting home a low, hard shot through two defenders. Haaland’s goal was his 29th of the season in all competitions.
Guardiola Rotation
With a top-of-the-table Premier League clash against Liverpool on the horizon, City manager Pep Guardiola opted to rest several key players, including Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden. Guardiola made seven changes to the side that beat Manchester United 3-1 in the league derby last Sunday.
Manchester City Title Contentions
City’s victory keeps them in contention for an unprecedented quadruple of trophies this season. They are a point behind Liverpool and a point ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League title race, and they are also in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Guardiola believes his team has what it takes to challenge for all four titles. To be part of the titles, we need everyone, he said. We have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League once again. We are delighted to still be competing in all competitions.
Second-Half and Conclusion
City had chances to extend their lead in the second half, but Rico Lewis’s shot hit the bar. Copenhagen pulled one goal back through Mohamed Elyounoussi in the 29th minute, but it was too little, too late.
City join Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals, with the remaining four teams to be determined next week. The quarter-final draw is set to take place on March 15.
We feel good right now, said Akanji. We’re confident going into the next round. We are considered one of the favorites, but we need to prove ourselves on the pitch.
Copenhagen manager Jacob Neestrup believes City can retain their Champions League title. They have a good chance of winning it, he said. They are simply on another level in all aspects of the game.
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