Manchester City will look to maintain their momentum when they travel to Denmark to take on FC Copenhagen in the Champions League.
Manchester City have already secured nine points from the first three UEFA Champions League matches, and a win over Copenhagen will almost ensure their entry into the next stage.
Pep Guardiola’s men have shown no mercy to their opponents, and no kind of restraints have managed to get them into trouble this time. Erling Haaland’s arrival has already pushed the level a notch up for them. And with each passing game, they will only become more vengeful in seeking their first Champions League crown.
Copenhagen can only pray that Manchester City rest some key players so that they might be able to showcase their natural game on home turf. The English champions humbled them 5-0 last time. And a similar outcome could only hurt their chances to grab a Europa League spot. The Danish outfit have lost their matches against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. But a draw against Sevilla sandwiched between the two defeats could provide a breather to them.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s relentless pursuit of their third consecutive Premier League title saw them dispatching Southampton 4-0. But Arsenal’s victory over Liverpool means the reigning champions remain one point adrift of the league leaders.
Manchester City train ahead of their UEFA Champions League away trip to F.C. Copenhagen. 💪 pic.twitter.com/0XNk4ZR9aU
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) October 10, 2022
With matches coming thick and fast, Pep Guardiola might field some of his reserve players. And with a trip to Liverpool waiting on the horizon, the Manchester City manager will need his best players fresh and composed. Copenhagen will not be fancying a win, but a good defensive performance will keep their hopes alive for a third-place finish in Group G.
Team News & Tactics
FC Copenhagen
Jacob Neestrup does not have any fresh injury concerns ahead of Manchester City’s visit. But FC Copenhagen will be missing the services of Akinkunmi Amoo and Zeca due. Despite City’s ruthlessness, Kamil Grabara made some fine saves in the last meeting, and he will have another go between the sticks.
Denis Vavro and Davit Khocholava will be given the task to stop the Manchester City attack. Victor Kristiansen and Kevin Diks will be imposed with the duty of securing the flanks.
Marko Stamenic had a tough game last week, and he will be up again in a bid to control the proceedings. Lukas Lerager and Isak Bergmann Johannesson will assist Stamenic to form a stable partnership in the middle of the pitch.
Viktor Claesson did not make much impact last time, and he will be gunning for some redemption against a robust Manchester City defence. Mohamed Daramy will be on the left flank, while Mamoudou Karamoko is expected to pass a late fitness test to lead the line for FC Copenhagen against Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Grabara; Diks, Khocholava, Vavro, Kristiansen; Bergmann Johannesson, Stamenic, Lerager; Claesson, Karamoko, Daramy
Manchester City
Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips are definite absentees, while John Stones will also be not available it seems. Guardiola will likely introduce a few fresh faces keeping in mind the Liverpool tie.
Ederson will unlikely be rested and will look to keep another clean sheet. Nathan Ake should partner with Manuel Akanji at the heart of the Manchester City defence. Sergio Gomez had a decent cameo on Sunday against Southampton and deserves a place as the left-back.
Preparing for the #UCL 🇩🇰#ManCity pic.twitter.com/ex7bOKNygE
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 10, 2022
Joao Cancelo has been the preferred choice on the right and will deputise for Walker. Ilkay Gundogan will once again take the deepest position in the midfield to conquer the duels on his own. With qualifications almost secured, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva may have to produce some classic moments to get the job done.
Erling Haaland finally gets some deserved rest, and Julian Alvarez will be aiming to have his place up top. Jack Grealish has been in good touch and could be given another chance to prove his worth. Riyad Mahrez will fill the right wing.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Ake, Gomez; Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Alvarez, Grealish
Key Stats
- Copenhagen hosted the current English champions back in 2008/09 in the UEFA Cup. The game ended 2-2.
- Manchester City need to rout Copenhagen with another five goals to better their record against a single opponent in a season. Their previous best was against Shakhtar Donetsk, thrashing them 9-0 over a two-legged affair.
- English clubs have not had much luck in Denmark as Liverpool and Leicester City have drawn their respective matches in that country. The onus is on Manchester City to break the jinx this time.
- Manchester City’s last visit to Denmark did not have a happy ending as they lost to Aalborg BK in the UEFA Cup back in 2008/09.
Player to Watch
Julian Alvarez
With Erling Haaland likely missing from the starting eleven, it is time for Julian Alvarez to buckle up for a decent challenge. The Argentine attacker has not had many acquaintances this campaign. And this match might be the perfect platform for Alvarez to indulge in some healthy competition with the Norwegian striker.
Prediction
FC Copenhagen 0-3 Manchester City
Given FC Copenhagen’s solid home record, it might take a bit of a twist and turns for Manchester City to unlock the path to the goal. The Danish giants have lost just once in their last 13 home games in the Champions League, so City should deal with them with utter respect. The Hard Tackle predicts a tougher contest on Tuesday, but the visitors should clinch a 3-0 win.
