Manchester City were wasteful but still booked their passage to the Round of 16 after a goalless draw against FC Copenhagen.
A Sergio Gomez red card and a missed penalty by Riyad Mahrez should be enough to explain Manchester City and their dreadful luck against FC Copenhagen. The Citizens should have buried the game in the first half, but a lack of precision did not help the visitors.
Julian Alvarez had a chance very early in the game, but his shot got past wide of Kamil Grabara. Sergio Gomez then produced a moment of madness as he tried to stop Hakon Arnar Haraldsson by using unusual means.
The referee initially let it go but gave Gomez the marching orders after VAR intervened, and it made Manchester City’s task more difficult. Copenhagen did not try anything extraordinary on their own as they played their natural game and were pretty tight in defence.
Chances were very rare, but Kevin De Bruyne came close with a second-half curler, although Grabara was pretty quick to tame it down with his strong hands. Copenhagen should take inspiration from this spirited draw and try to use this in their remaining matches. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Pep Guardiola’s men.
Through to the #UCL knockout stages! 👊 pic.twitter.com/H5brXNxJnF
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 11, 2022
Ederson Moraes: 6/10
Ederson almost had an embarrassing moment with a momentarily lapse of concentration when he miscontrolled the ball. He had a smooth game thereafter with his good distribution of the ball.
Joao Cancelo: 6/10
Cancelo did not find it easy as the Copenhagen players were all over the ground. The Portuguese international started as a right-back but had to shift to the left flank following Sergio Gomez’s dismissal. He produced a good shift and was even denied by Kamil Grabara late in this match.
Manuel Akanji: 6/10
Akanji was typically composed and confidendt at the heart of the Manchester City defence. He was called in to deputise on the right-hand side following Gomez’s dismissal and missed that tenacity after shifting. The Swiss defender did not offer the width that the full-backs often provide.
Aymeric Laporte: 7/10
Laporte produced an assured display at the back, and Guardiola would be really happy to get his star defender firing, with the fixtures set to be congested once more.
Sergio Gomez: 4/10
11'—Rodri goal ruled out for handball
25'—Mahrez misses a penalty
30'—Sergio Gomez sent off— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 11, 2022
The youngster was shown a red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity as he appeared to tug the shirt of Hakon Arnar Haraldsson while the Icelandic midfielder was on his way to the goal. A learning performance for the Spanish left-back.
Rodri: 7/10
Rodri would be disappointed as his brilliant long ranger did not stand due to a handball in the build-up. He ticked up the tempo with his usual swagger and helped with an extra body as Guardiola opted to have a three-man backline in the second half.
Ilkay Gundogan: 6.5/10
Gundogan did a lot of running on his own to cover the ground and did not really bother by the opposition press.
Kevin De Bruyne: 6.5/10
De Bruyne latched a left-foot curler just after the break. He was not at his best but still have some lively moments to remember.
Jack Grealish: 5/10
Grealish did his best to grind out a result but often lost under the strict marking of the Copenhagen players. His end product was pretty disappointing.
Riyad Mahrez: 4/10
Riyad Mahrez’s game by numbers vs. FC Kobenhavn:
33 minutes played
4 times lost possession
1 key pass
1 penalty miss
0 crosses completed
0 ground duels wonSubbed off before half time. 😬 pic.twitter.com/XMyJTInN14
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 11, 2022
Another waste of an opportunity by the Algerian winger. Mahrez had the best chance of the match when he was called up to take the penalty. But the former Leicester City attacker had his penalty saved by the Copenhagen goalkeeper, but that did not stop Manchester City form sealing a ticket to the next round.
Julian Alvarez: 5/10
Except for an early shot, Alvarez, the player to watch in our preview, was nowhere near the goal almost throughout the match. He missed his opportunity to make a mark in Erling Haaland’s absence.
SUBSTITUTES
Ruben Dias: 6.5/10
Dias had a good few minutes in his bag and produced a well-organised display.
Bernardo Silva: 6/10
Silva had little time to make an impact.
Phil Foden: 6/10
Foden had little time to make an impact.
Nathan Ake: 5/10
Ake had little time to make an impact.
