Manchester City secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over Copenhagen at home. The holders had a comfortable lead from the first leg, and added to it with goals from Manuel Akanji, Julián Álvarez and Erling Haaland.
The match summary
City started the game strongly and scored two goals in the first 10 minutes. Akanji volleyed in a corner from Álvarez in the fifth minute, and then Álvarez scored himself with a shot that the goalkeeper could not stop. Copenhagen pulled one back in the 29th minute, when Mohamed Elyounoussi finished a clever pass from Orri Óskarsson. However, City restored their two-goal advantage just before half-time, when Haaland controlled a long ball from Rodri and fired a low shot into the net. The second half was less eventful, as City controlled the game and Copenhagen could not create many chances. The final score was 3-1 to City, and 6-2 on aggregate.
The player ratings
Here are the player ratings for both teams, based on a scale of 1 to 10:
Manchester City
- Ederson (7): Did not have much to do, but made a good save from Magnus Mattsson in the second half.
- Rico Lewis (7): Played well as a right-back, and helped to create the first goal with his cross.
- Manuel Akanji (8): Scored a great goal and defended well. He was the best player for City.
- Aymeric Laporte (7): Was solid and composed in the center of the defense. He did not make any mistakes.
- Benjamin Mendy (6): Had a decent game, but was not very involved in the attack. He did his job defensively.
- Rodri (7): Controlled the midfield with his passing and tackling. He also provided a good assist for Haaland’s goal.
- Mateo Kovacic (7): Worked hard in the midfield, and showed his quality with his dribbling and passing. He also had a shot that went just wide.
- Oscar Bobb (6): Had a quiet game, but showed some flashes of skill. He made a mistake that led to Copenhagen’s goal.
- Julián Álvarez (8): Scored a goal and provided an assist. He was very lively and creative on the left wing.
- Erling Haaland (8): Scored a goal and was a constant threat with his pace and power. He was the top scorer in the Champions League with 10 goals.
- Raheem Sterling (6): Had a frustrating game, as he could not find his rhythm or his finishing. He missed some good chances.
Copenhagen
- Kamil Grabara (5): Had a bad game, as he conceded three goals and made a mistake for the second one. He could have done better.
- Peter Ankersen (6): Tried to defend well, but was overwhelmed by City’s attack. He could not stop Akanji’s goal.
- Victor Nelsson (6): Was the better of the two center-backs, as he made some good tackles and clearances. He tried to keep Haaland quiet.
- Sotirios Papagiannopoulos (5): Had a tough game, as he struggled to cope with City’s movement and speed. He was beaten by Haaland for the third goal.
- Bryan Oviedo (6): Was the most active player for Copenhagen, as he ran up and down the left flank. He provided some good crosses and also had a shot on target.
- Konrad Laimer (6): Was energetic and industrious in the midfield, but also gave away some fouls and lost possession. He was substituted in the second half.
- Kevin Kampl (7): Was the best player for Copenhagen, as he dictated the play with his passing and movement. He also helped out defensively.
- Orri Óskarsson (7): Was involved in Copenhagen’s goal, as he made a clever backheel to Elyounoussi. He also had some good touches and passes.
- Mohamed Elyounoussi (7): Scored a goal and was a threat with his speed and skill. He was the most dangerous player for Copenhagen.
- Dani Olmo (5): Had a quiet game, as he did not offer much threat or creativity. He was replaced by Yussuf Poulsen in the second half.
- Timo Werner (6): Had a frustrating game, as he missed some good chances and was of June 2024ten caught offside. However, he also worked hard and created some problems for the City defense.