5 talking points as Man City respond to Copenhagen scare in the Champions League

13 February 2024 , 21:54

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Manchester City have now won 11 games on the bounce (Image: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester City have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals after beating a spirited Copenhagen side 3-1 in Denmark.

Holders City were rewarded for their dominant start when Kevin De Bruyne broke the deadlock on 11 minutes with a well-struck low drive. As Erling Haaland and co threatened to double the visitors' lead, an injury to Jack Grealish gave Copenhagen a moment to breathe and they capitalised on City's first error which came courtesy of a mistake from Ederson while playing out from the back.

Debutant Magnus Mattsson scored the brilliant equaliser from range but Copenhagen's joy was short-lived, as lightning-fast reactions from Bernardo Silva inside the penalty box allowed the Portuguese to regain the lead for City just before half-time. Pep Guardiola would've wanted more, though, and eventually got it when Phil Foden added a third for City's 11th successive victory in all competitions.

Here are five talking points from the Parken Stadium.

1. De Bruyne extends remarkable return record

Just as you'd expect of Manchester City at this time of year, Pep Guardiola's men made a rapid start to the game. Often City are made to stay patient like against Everton on Saturday, but not this time.

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After missing an early chance which he felt he should've done better with, Kevin De Bruyne contributed to his seventh goal in as many games since returning from injury by rifling a shot past Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. The chance was forged by a smart slide-rule pass from Phil Foden, finding De Bruyne on the right-hand side of the penalty area and the Belgian midfielder made no mistake at the second time of asking to put City 1-0 up.

That was his 15th Champions League goal in a sky blue shirt and, remarkably, 12 have come in the knockout stages.

Kevin De Bruyne gave Manchester City a deserved lead (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

2. Grealish risks the wrath of Guardiola

Despite the lead, it wasn't all rosy for City in the opening 20 minutes. Jack Grealish - back in the starting line-up after five straight games on the bench - went down in visible discomfort following a challenge from Swedish striker Viktor Claesson. Initially, the England international wanted to soldier on, leaving Guardiola looked baffled at the response and stood with his hands on his hips.

The City boss eventually got his wish and Jeremy Doku was called back from his brief warmup, as the speedster replaced a dejected Grealish on what looked to be a potentially prosperous night for the 28-year-old. Then it was Phil Foden's turn to receive treatment, as the playmaker went to ground in the centre circle after setting up yet another City attack. Fortunately for Guardiola, Foden didn't need to be subbed off.

Jack Grealish was reluctant to come off (Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)

3. Ederson howler gifts Mattsson dream goal

With an 11th successive win in sight thanks to their dominant start, perhaps Manchester City should've remembered what happened to neighbours United when they led in Copenhagen three months ago. The men from Parken aren't to be written off, with the relentless atmosphere powering their side on to what proved to be a dramatic equaliser.

It was Ederson who gave the hosts a sniff, as City's goalkeeper misplaced his pass out towards the left-hand side of defence, allowing former Southampton and Celtic winger Mohamed Elyounoussi to intercept. His shot was blocked by Ruben Dias but the ball fell straight to new signing Magnus Mattsson, who produced a superb first-time finish from 20 yards out which flew past Ederson.

The Danish midfielder was playing his first competitive game for the club since signing from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen, and he won't ever forget it. In contrast to jubilant Copenhagen boss Jacob Neestrup, an animated Guardiola was furious; arguing with John Stones even when the game had restarted, while his stare at Ederson a few minutes later said it all.

Magnus Mattsson had a debut to remember (MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

4. Bernardo's brilliance summed up

It's difficult to quantify a player like Bernardo Silva. Will he score you the most goals? No. Will he create the most? Often not. But what he is brilliant at are those more intangible aspects of a footballer, one of which he showed to allow City a breathe huge sigh of relief sat in the dressing room at half-time.

Anticipating De Bruyne winning a challenge inside the 18-yard box, Bernardo gambled on the direction of the ball and was the only man close enough to stop it rolling through to Grabara. With one deft flick of his left leg, the former Monaco man flicked the ball into the back of the net and, at last, the Parken crowed fell close to silent just before the break.

Your turn! Is Bernardo Silva the world's most underrated player? Join the debate in the comments section.

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Bernardo Silva produced a sublime finish (LISELOTTE SABROE/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

5. We'll meet again - eventually

As ever, the last-16 of the Champions League is drawn out so much that first and second legs are played three weeks apart. City's incredible home record in Europe will be tested on March 6, a much easier task after Foden's late sealer.

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Nathan Ridley