The State of Play
The UEFA Champions League is back, with the first of the competition’s last-16 ties kicking off on Tuesday.
All eyes will be on the holders Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side heavy favourites to put one foot in the quarter-finals when they visit Denmark to face Copenhagen.
City made it 10 straight wins across all competitions on Saturday as Erling Haaland’s second-half brace handed them a 2-0 win over a stubborn Everton side in the Premier League.
With the likes of Kevin De Bruyne returning from injury to help City over the blip they endured in late 2023, Guardiola’s men have been in magnificent form lately, scoring 29 goals across those 10 straight wins as they gear up for a bid at the ‘double treble’.
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Opponents Copenhagen, meanwhile, have not played competitive football since mid-December, owing to the Danish Superliga’s long winter break.
They are not here to merely make up the numbers, though, having progressed through their Champions League group in impressive fashion, finishing above both Manchester United and Galatasaray and even holding Bayern Munich to a goalless draw in Germany.
They are, though, third in the aforementioned Superliga, sitting below both Midtjylland and Brondby. It would be a major surprise if they give themselves something to defend in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium.
Final preparations for Copenhagen! 💪 pic.twitter.com/3ZbbLPpJGN
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 12, 2024
Team News
Nicolai Boilesen, Theo Sander, David Khocholava and Birger Meling are among those that could potentially be missing through injury for Copenhagen, while Lukas Lerager will definitely sit Tuesday’s game out due to suspension.
Guardiola and City, meanwhile, are blessed with a fully-fit squad following the returns of players including Haaland, De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku and John Stones. The likes of Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker were rested on Saturday, so they are candidates to return to the lineup.
Expected Line-ups
Copenhagen: Grabara; Ankersen, McKenna, Diks, Jelert; Mattsson, Falk, Diogo Goncalves; Elyounoussi, Claesson, Achouri.
Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Rodri; Foden, De Bruyne, Silva; Haaland.
What they Said
In the aftermath of the last-16 draw, Copenhagen boss Jonas Neestrup described facing City as ‘the most difficult draw possible’, adding: ‘They are the best team in the world.’
At Monday’s pre-match press conference, meanwhile, Guardiola opened up on the challenge presented by the return of European football.
“My experience tells me this [the last-16 first leg] is always tricky,” Guardiola said. “The exception was Sporting CP two years ago when we won 5-0, but we scored five goals from six chances.
“But always I have huge respect for the first leg in the last 16, always.”
PEP 💬 I have huge respect [for FC Copenhagen]. I said to the players this morning you have to prepare mentally and be ready to suffer. It will be a tight, tight game 100% – I feel it – and normally my gut doesn’t lie to me! pic.twitter.com/b2VsxV8ufr
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 12, 2024
When, where and how to watch
This match will take place at the Parken Stadium on Tuesday February 13th, kicking off at 20:00 UK time. It will be shown live on TNT Sports in the UK and can also be streamed live via the TNT Sports app.
Prediction
As mentioned by Copenhagen coach Neestrup, this is the toughest draw the Danes could have received. They did, though, hold City to a goalless draw at home last season in the group stages and have also performed very well this season against Bayern, United and Galatasaray.
City are firm favourites and should make it 11 straight wins but they may have half an eye on Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see a low-scoring away win.
The @ErlingHaaland x @KevinDeBruyne partnership is BACK! 💥 pic.twitter.com/vEiFgVq41z
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 12, 2024
