Manchester Metropolis resumed their Champions League title defence with a cushty victory at FC Copenhagen within the first leg of their last-16 tie.
After Kevin de Bruyne gave Pep Guardiola’s aspect an early lead it seemed like they’d go on to assert a giant win because the hosts barely laid a glove on them.
However Ederson gifted the ball straight to Copenhagen with a poor clearance and Magnus Mattsson took full benefit with a incredible strike.
Bernardo Silva put Manchester Metropolis forward once more simply earlier than half-time with a intelligent flick after a ball from De Bruyne deflected by means of to him.
De Bruyne and Erling Haaland had additional possibilities so as to add to the lead after the break and, though Metropolis weren’t fairly at their attacking finest, they ensured they left with a two-goal cushion due to Phil Foden’s late strike.
“The largest gamers seem on the most important levels,” mentioned Guardiola on TNT Sports activities. “It is the hour of fact. We began properly. We now have to do our job and end it.
“I am simply actually happy for the consequence.”
Manchester Metropolis will host Copenhagen within the second leg on Wednesday, 6 March.
Metropolis keep away from potential banana pores and skin
This was Copenhagen’s first sport in two months after soccer in Denmark was paused for a winter break however Guardiola had warned earlier than the sport that they’d nonetheless not make issues simple for his aspect.
The Danes had crushed Manchester United 4-3 on the Parken Stadium within the Champions League group stage again in November, and likewise held Manchester Metropolis to a goalless draw there in 2022.
Guardiola’s aspect began like a prepare, however whereas they didn’t maintain that momentum they did have loads of possibilities to win by a better margin.
Nonetheless, ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Kamil Grabara performed a key position in limiting the guests to 2 objectives, making good saves to disclaim Ruben Dias early on and Jeremy Doku within the second half.
However within the closing levels, the guests stepped it up once more to make sure they bought a wholesome benefit for the second leg and secured it when Foden drove in from De Bruyne’s cutback.
“Right this moment was good,” Guardiola added. “They had been affected person in the suitable moments. Actually good.
“I am actually happy with the crew. The third objective helped us lots. Hopefully we will end it off at dwelling and go to the following sport.”
Guardiola waits on Grealish harm
![Jack Grealish is on the ground injured during the game with FC Copenhagen](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/13F63/production/_132636718_jackgrealish.jpg)
Manchester Metropolis’s early momentum was clearly disrupted by the early departure of Jack Grealish to harm.
The England ahead was making his first begin in six video games however pulled up with what gave the impression to be a muscle harm after difficult for the ball with Diogo Goncalves.
Grealish, who missed three video games in September with a hamstring harm, was then taken off within the twenty first minute and Metropolis will probably be hoping the problem just isn’t as unhealthy because it initially seemed.
“It seems to be like a muscular [injury] for Jack Grealish,” Guardiola mentioned.
“It’s a pity. He helped us to play on the proper tempo. He felt it when he rolled on the grass.”
Guardiola additionally revealed Silva picked up an harm, including: “Bernardo took a giant knock on the ankle. Hopefully it isn’t a giant challenge, however we are going to see.”
![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/96x96/p0796142.png)
Participant of the match
De BruyneKevin De Bruyne
FC Copenhagen
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Squad quantity26Participant titleMcKenna
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Squad quantity1Participant titleGrabara
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Squad quantity8Participant titleMattsson
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Squad quantity19Participant titleJelert
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Squad quantity3Participant titleVavro
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Squad quantity10Participant titleElyounoussi
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Squad quantity2Participant titleDiks
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Squad quantity7Participant titleClaesson
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Squad quantity33Participant titleFalk
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Squad quantity9Participant titleDiogo Gonçalves
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Squad quantity30Participant titleAchouri
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Squad quantity6Participant titleSørensen
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Squad quantity39Participant titleHøjlund
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Squad quantity11Participant titleLarsson
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Squad quantity14Participant titleCornelius
Line-ups
FC Copenhagen
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Grabara
- 19Jelert
- 3Vavro
- 26McKenna
- 2DiksBooked at 74mins
- 9Cupido GonçalvesSubstituted forHøjlundat 70′minutes
- 33FalkBooked at 71mins
- 8MattssonSubstituted forLarssonat 81′minutes
- 10Elyounoussi
- 7ClaessonSubstituted forCorneliusat 55′minutes
- 30AchouriSubstituted forSørensenat 81′minutes
Substitutes
- 6Sørensen
- 11Larsson
- 14Cornelius
- 18Óskarsson
- 22Ankersen
- 24Meling
- 31Rúnarsson
- 36Clem
- 39Højlund
- 40Bardghji
- 47Froholdt
- 61Gadeberg-Buur
Man Metropolis
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 31Ederson
- 2Walker
- 5Stones
- 3Rúben Dias
- 6Aké
- 16Rodri
- 20Bernardo SilvaSubstituted forNunesat 78′minutes
- 47Foden
- 17De Bruyne
- 10GrealishSubstituted forDokuat 21′minutes
- 9Haaland
Substitutes
- 11Doku
- 18Ortega
- 19Álvarez
- 25Akanji
- 27Nunes
- 33Carson
- 52Bobb
- 56Wright
- 76Susoho
- 82Lewis
- Referee:
- José María Sánchez Martínez
- Attendance:
- 35,853
Stay Textual content
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Match ends, FC Copenhagen 1, Manchester Metropolis 3.
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Second Half ends, FC Copenhagen 1, Manchester Metropolis 3.
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Purpose! FC Copenhagen 1, Manchester Metropolis 3. Phil Foden (Manchester Metropolis) left footed shot from the centre of the field to the centre of the objective.
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Try saved. Erling Haaland (Manchester Metropolis) header from the centre of the field is saved within the centre of the objective. Assisted by Matheus Nunes.
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Try blocked. Matheus Nunes (Manchester Metropolis) proper footed shot from the centre of the field is blocked.
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Try saved. Erling Haaland (Manchester Metropolis) left footed shot from the left aspect of the field is saved within the backside proper nook. Assisted by Matheus Nunes.
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Erling Haaland (Manchester Metropolis) wins a free kick within the defensive half.
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Foul by Denis Vavro (FC Copenhagen).
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Try saved. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester Metropolis) proper footed shot from outdoors the field is saved within the backside proper nook.
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Hand ball by Scott McKenna (FC Copenhagen).
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Substitution, FC Copenhagen. Jordan Larsson replaces Magnus Mattsson.
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Substitution, FC Copenhagen. Christian Sørensen replaces Elias Achouri.
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Try missed. Phil Foden (Manchester Metropolis) left footed shot from outdoors the field is just too excessive following a nook.
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Substitution, Manchester Metropolis. Matheus Nunes replaces Bernardo Silva due to an harm.
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Nook, Manchester Metropolis. Conceded by Scott McKenna.
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Try blocked. Erling Haaland (Manchester Metropolis) header from very shut vary is blocked. Assisted by Bernardo Silva with a cross.
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Try missed. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester Metropolis) proper footed shot from lengthy vary on the left is only a bit too excessive from a direct free kick.
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Kevin Diks (FC Copenhagen) is proven the yellow card for a nasty foul.
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Bernardo Silva (Manchester Metropolis) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Kevin Diks (FC Copenhagen).