Frightening Haaland record underlines Man City ambition as second Treble looms

06 March 2024 , 22:01

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Erling Haaland celebrates scoring Manchester City's third goal (Image: Getty Images)

They are the team everyone will want to avoid in next week’s quarter final draw.

Manchester City look like the most formidable team in Europe and no-one should bet against them repeating last year’s Treble. And that is without ever needing to get out of first let alone second gear to smash FC Copenhagen as they racked up another three goals in a horribly one-sided last 16 tie.

Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet with his 29th goal in all competitions but one statistic was even more telling for the City goal machine. Haaland, 23, now has 41 goals in 37 Champions League appearances. He was already the youngest player in the competition’s history to reach 40 goals and keeps on breaking barriers.

City legend Sergio Aguero got 41 Champions League goals in his career but took 79 games to reach that number. It is just frightening to think Haaland believes he can still get even better. Holders City are favourites to win the Champions League again, they are into the FA Cup quarter finals and are well placed in the title race ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

They just look unstoppable and were even able to make wholesale changes (seven in total from Sunday’s starting XI), rest players for Anfield and still steamroller FC Copenhagen. Yes, it was only FC Copenhagen but the Danes did put Manchester United out of the group stages of the competition this season.

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At times, FC Copenhagen actually gave City more problems than United did on Sunday which is probably not saying much. City were also already 3-1 up from the first leg and were in cruise control.

But whenever they needed to, City just turned up the intensity and got the job done. They have so many more gears to get to when they have to face the big boys in this competition.

City also just have that wonderful habit of hitting a winning streak at the business end of the campaign and this was also their tenth straight win in this competition, a run stretching back to last season.

They are the dominant force in Europe and wasted no time to take charge at the Etihad. City were ahead inside five minutes. Julian Alvarez’s near post corner was volleyed in by Manuel Akanji.

Manuel Akanji puts Manchester City ahead after just five minutes (PA)

It was 2-0 inside nine minutes. Alvarez’s corner found Rodri who hit the bar. The ball was not cleared properly, came back to Alvarez and his fierce shot went through keeper Kamil Grabara’s hands. FC Copenhagen did equalise in the first leg three weeks ago and were determined to have a say again.

Former Southampton midfielder Mohamed Elyounoussi led a counter attack, swapped passes with Orri Oskarsson before Elyounoussi then fired past City keeper Ederson. But it was game over in first half injury time. Rodri’s sensational inch perfect long ball forward picked out Haaland and the City goal machine controlled it, turned and smashed a low shot just inside the near post.

Even Pep Guardiola, arguably the most animated manager on any touchline, looked like he had a cigar on. He was so relaxed as Rodri was subbed at half time, Ruben Dias was given a breather and Haaland eventually went off to a standing ovation.

Copenhagen goalkeeper Kamil Grabara allows Julian Alvarez's shot to slip through his hands (Getty Images)

There was one horrible moment as City’s Matheus Nunes went off with a dislocated finger. But that was as scary as it got all night. FC Copenhagen huffed and puffed but City, despite getting a little sloppy as they took their foot off the pedal, just turned it into a training session. Rico Lewis hit the crossbar in injury time but, by then, all minds had switched towards another Treble.

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John Cross