Man City claim first-leg win at FC Copenhagen-ZoomTech News

Manchester Metropolis resumed their Champions League title defence with a cushty victory at FC Copenhagen within the first leg of their last-16 tie.

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

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.”