FC Copenhagen vs Man City LIVE: Champions League result and final score after Sergio Gomez red card
FC Copenhagen 0-0 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola’s side reduced to 10 men after Gomez red card as they fail to score for the first time this season
Manchester City were held to a frustrating draw at FC Copenhagen as Pep Guardiola’s side were made to wait to confirm their place in the Champions League knockout stages.
In a game marred by VAR decisions and overturns, City had an opening goal scored by Rodri ruled out for a handball on Riyad Mahrez. City, who rested Erling Haaland, were then awarded a penalty but Mahrez saw his effort from the spot saved.
And there was a further VAR decision that went against City as left back Sergio Gomez was sent off for pulling back Copenhagen forward Hakon Haraldssonon the edge of the box when he was through on goal.
City’s place in the last 16 could still be confirmed tonight, unless Sevilla beat Borussia Dortmund away from home. Follow all the reaction before Champions League coverage continues with Celtic vs RB Leipzig:
Why ‘perfect’ Manuel Akanji is Manchester City’s best signing of the summer
For all the attention on Erling Haaland, a strange quirk of Manchester City’s ominous start to the Premier League season is that he may not even be their best signing from Borussia Dortmund this summer. After all, taking advantage of a generational talent’s release clause was always a no-brainer, even with competition from practically every elite club in Europe. There was much less fanfare and far fewer suitors for Manuel Akanji.
And yet Akanji’s start to life has suggested that his €17m deadline day arrival could ultimately be considered one of the steals of the season, despite it being a deal that initially felt unnecessary. The 27-year-old became the fifth senior recognised centre-half in Pep Guardiola’s squad at a point when, if anything, reinforcements were needed at full-back. City are certainly short in that department now following Kyle Walker’s groin injury.
Yet after a string of highly impressive displays in his natural position, Akanji showcased another string to his bow in the 4-0 win over Southampton: versatility. Guardiola named the back four that many expected at the Etihad, only in a different order. His preference for having both a left and right-footer at the centre of his defence meant Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias lined up on those respective sides.
Why ‘perfect’ Manuel Akanji is Man City’s best signing of the summer
Erling Haaland may be hogging the headlines but the under-the-radar capture of a versatile, intelligent defender was Man City’s smartest preseason move
Erling Haaland: The stats behind Man City striker’s march to Premier League top scorer
Erling Haaland’s march to the Premier League Golden Boot continued as he scored yet again for Manchester City this weekend.
The Norwegian’s goal against Southampton was his 15th in his first nine Premier League games and he leads the field by seven, despite Harry Kane’s flying start with Tottenham.
It appears only injury can stop Haaland winning the top-scorer award and he is already closing on some previous Golden Boot-winning goal tallies, which have been as low as 18 in the past.
Here we look at how soon Haaland could overtake the previous winners of the award, should he remain ever-present and keep up his scoring rate.
The stats behind Erling Haaland’s march to Premier League top scorer
The Norwegian has scored 15 goals in his first nine Premier League appearances
Man City last trip to Copenhagen
Manchester City’s last trip to Copenhagen ended in a 2-2 draw back in the Europa League campaign in 2008/09. Stephen Ireland sent City 2-1 just after the hour mark before Martin Vingaard rescued a point for Copenhagen in stoppage time.
‘We are in a good moment'
Riyad Mahrez says that Manchester City are in good form ahead of tonight’s Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen and puts their winning run down to resilience and consistency.
“We are in a good moment.” said the winger, “To be fair, every season we are in that way. When we have this focus, resilience and this consistency.
“We make it very difficult for our opponents.”
‘Killer in the box’ Erling Haaland has made Man City best in the world
FC Copenhagen’s stand-in captain Viktor Claesson admits stopping Manchester City and the “killer” Erling Haaland is the toughest footballing task he has ever faced.
The Sweden international and his colleagues were unable to halt or even slow City at the Etihad Stadium last week, slumping to a 5-0 defeat in their first of two Champions League clashes.
The reverse Group G fixture takes place in the Danish capital on Tuesday and, although City could make changes, with last-16 qualification not yet finalised Claesson is not expecting the task to get any easier.
Haaland will certainly be relishing the prospect of scoring more goals having already netted 20, including a double against Copenhagen last time round, in just 13 appearances for City this season.
‘Killer in the box’ Erling Haaland has made Man City best in the world
FC Copenhagen’s stand-in captain Viktor Claesson knows his side face a daunting task in the Champions League this week
Versatile Cancelo starts again
Erling Haaland’s demotion to the bench tonight means defender João Cancelo is the only outfield player to start every match for Manchester City so far this season.
The 28-year-old will play at right-back this evening despite being a left-back by trade.
“I feel comfortable in both, right and left,” he said following Saturday’s victory over Southampton. “Even if the manager asks me to be a goalkeeper, I can also do it.
“I always try to do my best and try to help the team achieve the targets.”
Haaland starting from the bench
Erling Haaland has started all of Manchester City’s 13 games across all competitions this season and has scored 19 goals in the process but he has to make do with a spot on the bench tonight.
City target last 16
Victory this evening would secure City’s place in the Champions League knockout stages for the tenth season in succession. The last time they reached the last 16 with two group games to spare was in 2020/21.
Man City made ‘incredible decision’ with Manuel Akanji, Pep Guardiola claims
Erling Haaland may be commanding the headlines but Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City have also struck gold with their other summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, Manuel Akanji.
The Switzerland international has settled quickly since his deadline-day move to the Etihad Stadium, firstly slotting seamlessly into central defence.
He then showed his versatility with an accomplished performance filling in for the injured Kyle Walker at right-back in Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League stroll against Southampton.
“The club made an incredible decision with him,” said City boss Guardiola.
Man City made ‘incredible decision’ with Manuel Akanji, Pep Guardiola claims
The Switzerland international has settled quickly since his deadline-day move to the Etihad
Copenhagen vs Man City team changes
Copenhagen make four changes to the side that lost 5-0 against Manchester City at the Etihad stadium last week. Elias Jelert, Nicolai Boilesen, Valdemar Lund and Hakon Arnar Haraldsson all come into the starting line-up.
Pep Guardiola swaps out quite a few of the personnel from City’s win over Southampton at the weekend. Aymeric Laporte and Sergio Gomez join the defensive line with Ilkay Gundogan joining Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne in midfield. Up top Riyad Mahrez keeps his place but there is no room for Phil Foden or Erling Haaland as Julian Alvarez and Jack Grealish come in.
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