Manchester City cruised past FC Copenhagen with another relentless display in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Manchester City have made it three in three as they thrashed a hapless FC Copenhagen 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. Erling Haaland bagged a brace, while Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez also contributed to the scoreline.
The proceedings started as Haaland found the net after finding himself unmarked in the box when Joao Cancelo laid a low cross to him. The Norwegian striker poached in another after the FC Copenhagen goalkeeper spilt Sergio Gomez’s long-range strike. And Haaland was there to nod it home.
Gomez was at it again as his shot deflected off a Copenhagen defender to provide the home side with a comfortable 3-0 lead. Copenhagen shot-stopper Kamil Grabara jumped to the occasion with a couple of decent saves; otherwise the scoreboard would have been more embarrassing for the visitors.
Manchester City’s acute possessional display caught their opponents on the wrong foot again as Aymeric Laporte was tripped inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. Riyad Mahrez sent the keeper to the wrong side to make it 4-0.
Erling Haaland makes it 28 goals in 22 Champions League game… and here’s Pep Guardiola’s reaction after the second goal tonight. 🤯🔵 #UCL@TheEuropeanLad ⤵️📸 pic.twitter.com/uVvKt2DV0X
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 5, 2022
The Algerian then latched on to a pass from Jack Grealish and aimed it towards Julian Alvarez, who completed the demolition with a simple tap-in. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Pep Guardiola’s men.
Ederson Moraes: 7/10
The Brazilian goalkeeper did not get tested enough, and he perhaps had the best seat to enjoy Manchester City’s goal fest.
Joao Cancelo: 7/10
Cancelo most assists in the Champions League this season pic.twitter.com/yjGbmcm3l6
— Hassan (@riyadpasta7) October 5, 2022
The Portuguese international ran up and down the right flank, covering his side of the pitch pretty well. Cancelo fed Erling Haaland a delightful low cross for the first goal and remained vigilant throughout his shift as he did not allow an inch to opposition attackers.
Ruben Dias: 6/10
Dias produced another assured performance at the back. Nothing really got him on the wrong foot as FC Copenhagen rarely performed their attacking duties on Wednesday.
Aymeric Laporte: 6/10
Laporte made a seamless transition to the starting lineup, pairing up Dias at the heart of the Manchester City defence with ease. Guardiola would be pretty happy to get the defender back at his disposal following a long injury layoff.
Sergio Gomez: 7/10
Another good show from the left-back, who is slowly emerging as one of Guardiola’s favourites. Gomez ran his errands pretty smoothly and turned provider two times in this match.
Sergio Gómez's game by numbers vs. FC Copenhagen:
115 touches
92 passes attempted
82 passes completed
14 passes into final ⅓
6 passes into opp. box
4 shots
4 crosses
4 x possession won
2 aerial duels won
2 shots on target
0 x dribbled pastLike a glove. #UCL
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 5, 2022
Ilkay Gundogan: 8/10
Guardiola fielded a pretty unconventional 4-4-2, with Gundogan at the base of the midfield. The Manchester City captain controlled the possession brilliantly, and FC Copenhagen rarely had the chance to pounce on anything loose.
Bernardo Silva: 7.5/10
The Portuguese international produced another impressive performance as he kept the FC Copenhagen defenders busy with his usual twist and turns. Silva hit the post once and could have found his goal.
Jack Grealish: 8.5/10
Grealish did everything right except score a goal. He set up the fifth goal as he danced between a sea of defenders to tee it up to Riyad Mahrez, whose cross was perfectly converted by Julian Alvarez.
Riyad Mahrez: 7.5/10
Mahrez converted the penalty with a calm and composed effort, but he needs to be sharper as the competition for places at Manchester City is pretty intense.
Erling Haaland: 8.5/10
Even opposing keepers can't understand Haaland 😅 pic.twitter.com/QW35FFKLYx
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 5, 2022
Another match, another brace from Haaland. The Norwegian striker is growing in a big way and could break all the previous records going by his current form. He is unstoppable at the moment.
Julian Alvarez: 8/10
Alvarez was always there in the right spot and finally got his goal in the match. He will hope for more minutes in the coming games.
SUBSTITUTES
Cole Palmer: 7/10
An impressive cameo from the bench by Palmer, who forced the FC Copenhagen goalkeeper to make a fine save as he curled one in.
Josh Wilson-Esbrand: 6/10
Guardiola handed Wilson-Esbrand a debut, and the youngster did his part with full intent.
Rico Lewis: 6.5/10
Lewis delivered a timely block to deny the visitors an away goal.
