Except in his first season, Pep Guardiola has always put his Manchester City in the Champions League quarterfinals, at least. It was no less this Wednesday, with the current champion classified among the eight best for the seventh year in a row after finishing the job against Copenhagen at the Etihad (3-1).
Helped by the victory in the first leg (1-3) and thinking about the duel against Liverpool on Sunday, key to the Premier title, the Catalan coach arranged an eleven with many rotations. Only Ederson, Rodri, Rúben Dias, Haaland and Gvardiol, who was returning from injury, had the title of regular starters. It didn’t matter to the skyblue team, who already won in the 5th minute thanks to a good volley from Akanji in a corner.
The minimal Danish hope disappeared in the 9th minute, when their goalkeeper, Grabara, gave the English the second in a shot by Julián Álvarez that slipped through his gloves. Maybe the bulky mask he was wearing didn’t help. City’s monologue was only broken by a great counterattack by the Nordics that ended in Elyounoussi’s goal, after a brilliant backheel by Óskarsson.
Copenhagen improved with the goal, but Haaland brought them back to reality on the stroke of half-time with his sixth goal in this Champions League. The Norwegian received a long pass from Rodri in the area and put the ball into the net against three rivals.
With the tie resolved, the second half had no history. The Scandinavians, with City at low revs, allowed themselves the luxury of dominating the European champion for many minutes, although they were unable to say goodbye to the tournament with another goal despite having several chances. Guardiola’s men confirmed the predictions and will once again be the ogre in the quarterfinal draw.
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