Fresh from an impressive goal-laden victory against their arch rivals, Manchester City will bid to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they welcome Copenhagen to the Etihad Stadium for their Champions League clash on Wednesday.
The Citizens currently sit at the summit of Group G with six points, five clear of their Danish opponents, who picked up a point against Sevilla last time out.
“Not in my lifetime” – when former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was asked back in 2009 whether rivals Man City would ever be considered favourites for the Manchester derby, this was the Scotsman’s response. Now, as mentioned by commentator Guy Mowbray, “it’s every time”.
The Citizens secured a memorable 6-3 Premier League victory over the Red Devils on Sunday – the highest-scoring Manchester derby of all time – with Erling Braut Haaland and Phil Foden the stars of the show as they both netted record-breaking hat-tricks to help maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
Even though City fans will have walked away from the Etihad in buoyant mood, Pep Guardiola felt that “some players were not good” and believes there are “many things” his side can still improve on.
Fixtures continue to come thick and fast for City, with Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Copenhagen the second of five games across all tournaments within a 14-day period. The Citizens are coming up against their Danish counterparts for the first time since their 2008-09 UEFA Cup campaign, which saw Mark Hughes’s men win 4-3 on aggregate in the last 32.
After beating Sevilla in Spain in their opening Group G game, City edged past Borussia Dortmund with a 2-1 win at the Etihad last month to maintain their 100% start. The Citizens are currently enjoying a 21-game unbeaten home run in the Champions League and they will be firm favourites to extend this impressive run on Wednesday.
After clinching their 14th Danish Superliga title last season, Copenhagen have since endured a difficult start to their title defence this term, winning five and losing six of their first 11 league matches.
Jacob Neestrup’s side were at least able to avoid a third successive top-flight defeat last weekend, as an 81st-minute strike from Lukas Lerager secured a slender 1-0 win at home to Aarhus.
Indeed, Copenhagen’s home form has been their only saving grace in recent weeks as they have won three and draw one of their last four matches in the Danish capital, including a hard-fought goalless draw against Sevilla in their last Champions League game.
However, the Lions travel to the Etihad on Wednesday after winning only one of their last seven matches away from home, a run that includes a four-game losing streak in which they have conceded at least twice in each defeat.
Copenhagen, who have only won one of their last 10 away games in the Champions League, have scored just one goal in six matches against English opposition in the competition, with Marcus Allback scoring against City’s rivals Man United to secure a 1-0 victory back in November 2006.
Manchester City Champions League form:
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Manchester City form (all competitions):
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Copenhagen Champions League form:
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Copenhagen form (all competitions):
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We say: Manchester City 4-0 Copenhagen
It is difficult to see anything other than a comfortable victory for Man City, who are set to have more joy in front of goal having already found the net 35 times across all competitions this season.
Copenhagen frustrated Sevilla last time out to earn a point, but they will likely struggle against a rampant City outfit, especially if Haaland retains his place in Guardiola’s lineup.