Title holders, the team led by Erling Haaland, definitely back from injury, has perhaps inherited the most “affordable” draw among the group leaders: that of FC Copenhagen, almost tom thumb of the round of 16 finalists of the League champions.
And if the very quick opening of the score by Kevin De Bruyne, with a surgical cross strike following a precise service from Phil Foden on the right side (0-1, 10th), suggested a walk in the park, the Danes did not let this happen.
And it was only the fault of a very late goal from Bernardo Silva, fox of the right side surfaces (1-2, 45th) in added time of the first period, that they did not return to the locker room in holding the draw, which had given them a superb curling shot from Mattsson (1-1, 34th).
Ederson's poor clearance which allowed Copenhagen to equalize against Manchester City 😶
Fortunately for him, the reigning champions finally won 3-1 🥵#COPMCI |
#UCL pic.twitter.com/QRFikuFRlx
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) February 13, 2024
Held at bay, Pep Guardiola's men had to wait until the very end of the match, and a goal from the in-form Phil Foden at the end of added time once again (1-3, 90th + 3), to take two goals in advance in this double confrontation, the return of which will be played on March 6, in England.
7 - Manchester City is the first team in the history of the Champions League to score at least 3 goals in 7 consecutive matches.
Jackpot.
pic.twitter.com/46uLtB4Hoa
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) February 13, 2024
But, as the OptaJoe site noted, this success is historic.
The Citizens have indeed just scored at least three goals in each of their last seven outings in the competition.
No one had ever achieved such a feat.