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:
Copenhagen vs Man City confirmed line-ups
Copenhagen XI: Grabara, Jelert, Lund, Boilesen, Khocholava, Kristiensen, Stamenic, Lerager, Claesson, Daramy, Haraldsson
Man City XI: Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez, Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyen, Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish
Copenhagen vs Man City: Team news
Manchester City: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Carson, Dias, Ake, Haaland, Bernardo, Foden, Palmer, Lewis, Wilson-Esbrand
Pep Guardiola coy on whether Erling Haaland will be rested against FC Copenhagen
Pep Guardiola has given no clue as to whether he might rest star striker Erling Haaland in Manchester City’s Champions League clash at FC Copenhagen.
City thrashed the Danish champions 5-0, with Haaland scoring twice, in a one-sided encounter at the Etihad Stadium last week. Guardiola’s side can secure a place in the last 16 with victory in the return fixture at the Parken Stadium on Tuesday.
Yet with a trip to Liverpool to prepare for at the weekend, the City manager could be tempted to rotate his squad.
Pep Guardiola coy on whether Erling Haaland will be rested against FC Copenhagen
Haaland has started all 13 of Manchester City’s games in all competitions this season, scoring 19 goals in the process
Guardiola on rotating his squad
Pep Guardiola says he will decide whether to rest players ahead of tonight’s Champions League fixture against FC Copenhagen and wouldn’t say whethe or not Erling Haaland would start once again.
"I am going to decide what is the team selection," said the City manager, "I have to speak with the players, physios and doctors and decide what is the best, then we will see.
"It’s true that in the last 25-30 minutes when games are tight, that is when fatigue and the risk of injuries rises. But lately we were lucky to score goals in the first half and at the beginning of the second, then after we can rotate.
"But it’s not just to rest players for fatigue but to involve everyone. I like it when everyone can be involved in the team and play as best as possible and reach the best level."
Early team news and predicted line-ups
FC Copenhagen’s Akinkunmi Amoo and Zeca miss out again through injury, but the hosts will welcome back Kevin Diks and Victor Kristiansen. The Danish side are waiting on the fitness of Mamoudou Karamoko.
Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips remain out for Manchester City with John Stones likely to sit this one out due to a hamstring problem.
If Guardiola rotates ahead of Liverpool on Sunday, expect to see Jack Grealish, Sergio Gomez and Ilkay Gundogan start.
Predicted line-ups:
Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Diks, Vavro, Khocholava, Kristiansen; Stamenic, Lerager, Claesson; Johannesson, Karamoko, Daramy
Man City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Ake, Gomez; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Grealish, Haaland, Foden
De Bruyne flourishing for City
Before the start of the season Manchester City were hoping that Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne could create a killer partnership with the Norwegian striker finishing off chances created by the Beligan midfielder.
Haaland’s goalscoring record speaks for itself but equally impressive are De Bruyne’s assist stats. The Belgian has already registered 11 assists across all competitions in 2022/23, just three short of his overall tally last campaign.
De Bruyne has made at least one assist in each of his last six appearances in all competitions, setting up eight goals overall in that time.
Pep Guardiola hails sharp-shooting Manchester City after hammering Southampton
Pep Guardiola felt Manchester City’s comfortable victory over Southampton showed further signs the champions are clicking into gear.
City cruised past the struggling Saints 4-0 with Erling Haaland again on the scoresheet at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, underlining their considerable strength as they chase a third successive Premier League title.
The victory was not as eye-catching as last week’s stunning 6-3 derby demolition of Manchester United but Guardiola, as after the 5-0 Champions League win over FC Copenhagen, was far more satisfied with the control exerted.
The City manager said: “We are scoring a lot of goals and in the last two games we didn’t concede one shot.”
Pep Guardiola hails sharp-shooting Manchester City after hammering Southampton
City scored four against struggling Saints to take their total to 33 in nine games
Group G standings
Manchester City are cruising through the Champions League group stages having collected a perfect nine points from their opening three matches.
They sit top of Group G three points clear of Borussia Dortmund and are one win away from securing a spot in the knockout stages with two games remaining after tonight’s fixture against FC Copenhagen.
City have scored 11 goals across those three matches and have only conceded once - against Dortmund on matchday two.
Pep Guardiola’s side play nine matches between now and the start of the World Cup in November so if they can sow up qualification tonight the final two group stages matches will provide the boss with the opportunity to rest key players in his squad.
FC Copenhagen vs Manchester City
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action.
First up at 5.45pm Manchester City travel to Denmark to take on FC Copenhagen knowing that victory will secure them a spot in the round of 16. Pep Guardiola’s men hammered Copenhagen 5-0 last week when the Danish side came to the Etihad and the City boss will be hoping for a similarly one-sided affair tonight.
Following the conclusion of this game our focus will move to Glasgow where Celtic host RB Leipzig for an 8pm kick off. The Hoops are bottom of their group after three matches but have put in a few encouraging performances that will give Ange Postecoglou hope that his side can get something out of tonight’s game. They currently have one point from nine but a victory tonight will blow the group wide open and with Shakhtar Donetsk still to visit Celtic Park it could give the Scottish side some impetus to their Champions League campaign.
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