Without exerting an excessive amount of effort, Manchester City advanced to the eighth round of the Champions League with a final score of 6-2. They had previously defeated Copenhagen by a score of 3-1 in the second leg.

Man City resolved the match right from the first half, to play slower in the second half, keeping strength for the big battle with Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend. The task of Pep Guardiola and his team became easier when defender Manuel Akanji and striker Julian Alvarez scored two goals in just seven minutes. Center striker Erling Haaland also scored at the end of the first half, sealing the victory for the defending champions. Coincidentally, in all eight of Man City’s past matches in the tournament, they only scored exactly three goals.

Striker Julian Alvarez celebrates increasing the score to 2-0 for Man City, in the match against Copenhagen at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England, second leg of the 1/8 round of Champions League on the evening of March 6, 2024. Photo: Reuters

“This victory was as smooth and gentle as when Man City knew they would meet Copenhagen in the 1/8 round,” noted the British daily Guardian after the match. “This victory was as smooth and gentle as then.” “Man City won simply but not too overwhelmingly, because they played and looked forward to the match against Liverpool.”

During the very first attack, Man City scored their first goal when Alvarez crossed the ball from the right side of the field to Akanji, who then volleyed the ball into the top of the net of the opposing team. Two minutes later, the Argentine striker himself scored with a quick shot from the left edge of the penalty area. The ball was sent directly to goalkeeper Kamil Grabara, but he bizarrely pushed the ball into the net. The goal was scored by Argentina.

At that point in time, the deficit was four goals, which enabled Manchester City to easily control the ball and gain an advantage over their opponents. On the other hand, the home team made a little error in the 29th minute, which resulted in the loss of the game. During the counterattack, Mohamed Elyounoussi, who was playing in the middle of the field, jabbed Orri Oskarsson. The Icelandic international moved his heel back in a careful manner, which made it possible for Elyounoussi to sprint into the penalty area and shoot low to the far corner, which ultimately resulted in a victory over Ederson. Hundreds of spectators on the other team stood up and applauded, providing the Danish representative with the fortitude he needed to finish the game.

At the conclusion of the first half, however, Rodri flicked the ball from the middle of the field into the penalty area for Haaland, demonstrating the disparity in skill level that existed between the two teams. The Norwegian striker took possession of the ball on the right side of the field, shifted it to his left foot, and then sent a low shot to the near corner of the goal while Grabara was leaning towards the far corner.

Haaland (left) scored to increase the score to 3-1. Photo: PA

Rodri and Alvarez did an excellent job of producing on the day that Kevin de Bruyne and Phil Foden did not play because they were injured and needed to be substituted. It is the sixty-first match in a row that Manchester City has not suffered a loss when Rodri is on the field, and the Spanish midfielder has been a big contributor to this outstanding accomplishment.

And Haaland climbed to the top of the scoring chart for the Champions League this season, sharing six goals with Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom have advanced to the quarterfinals of the competition. The opportunity to enhance his scoring record was presented to Haaland by Coach Guardiola until the 88th minute, but he was unable to do so. As a result, Haaland was forced to give up his position to Jacob Wright, a striker who was playing for the first time. Wright was 19 years old. Saturday, March 10, is the day that Haaland and his teammates are able to march to Anfield.