Manchester City returned to European action with a 3-1 win in Copenhagen on Tuesday night.
Pep Guardiola had warned the first leg of the last-16 Champions League tie would not be a straightforward affair, but the two-goal victory means there’s little hope of an upset when the tie is ultimately decided at the Etihad in three weeks' time.
Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden grabbed the all-important goals in Denmark, while debutant Magnus Mattsson was on target for Jacob Neestrup’s side.
Much of the pre-match discussion centred around the daunting home atmosphere and Copenhagen’s two-month break from competitive action. But the latter proved more pertinent in the early exchanges as the hosts were sluggish and simply couldn’t match City’s relentless approach.
The European champions should have twice netted inside the first 10 minutes when De Bruyne and then Ruben Dias spurned close-range headers. But the former, playing his first Champions League game since last year’s final, didn’t need a second opportunity. Fed the ball by Foden, De Bruyne broke into the box and shaped to cross, before he calmly slotted a powerful shot into the bottom corner from a narrow angle, giving City an early advantage.
City’s possession in the three games prior reads: 73, 72, 75 - and the level of dominance was on the same scale in the Danish capital as they confidently stroked the ball from side to side, waiting for an opening. Copenhagen couldn’t get out, but managed to survive Denis Vavro heading the ball of his own crossbar, Erling Haaland’s wild scissor kick and a Silva shot that was cleared off the line.
Yet, after 34 minutes of utter control, City handed their opponents a lifeline. Ederson’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Mohamed Elyounoussi and after the ex-Southampton man’s attempt was blocked, the ball ran invitingly into the path of Mattsson, who curled a shot from the edge of the box around Rodri and past an embarrassed Ederson.
The City goalkeeper was the most relieved man in the Parken Stadium when Silva poked in a third goal of the game just before half-time. Scorers De Bruyne and Mattsson challenged for the ball outside the area and the City man got the final touch, forcing it to roll through for Silva, who guided it into the goal with the outside of his boot.
The second period wasn’t quite as convincing from Pep Guardiola’s side, albeit they continued to carry the greater threat. De Bruyne, Foden, Haaland and Jeremy Doku all tested Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, while Haaland will be disappointed not to hit the target with an off-balance header inside the box.
The Blues managed 79 percent possession by the end of the game, and comfortably maintained possession in Copenhagen's half. They had looked set to return with a one-goal win until a last push in injury-time provided a third goal. Haaland saw a shot saved and a header fly over, minutes before Foden netted on his 50th Champions League appearance.
The in-form City man combined excellently with De Bruyne, with the latter slipping the ball into his path, for Foden to powerfully add a third from inside the box.
Here's how we rated City players...
1. Ederson- 5
Gifted Copenhagen a goal, and was the hosts only shot of the night.
2. Kyle Walker- 7
Didn't have much to deal with defensively and tried to get forward as much as possible. Walker was a regular out-ball for City players in possession.
3. John Stones- 7
Pushed into midfield and helped City control the flow of the game. At one stage, he was the most advanced player on the pitch.
4. Ruben Dias- 6
Good on the ball and his physical approach allowed City to regain possession on a few occasions.