The Champions League returns on Wednesday, the sixth of March, with a clash between last season’s treble winners, Manchester City Vs Copenhagen, last season’s Danish Superliga champions. These two teams already faced off in a first-leg fixture, which ended 3-1 to Manchester City. With City firmly in the driver’s seat due to their aggregate lead, Copenhagen has a tall task if they hope to make it to the next knockout round of this year’s Champions League.
Manchester City
Being the dominant force, Manchester City has been in phenomenal form lately. They’ve been undefeated in their last five games, with their most recent game being a dominant display against their cross-town rival, red Manchester United, in the Manchester derby. Their last three meetings with Copenhagen have seen them take two wins and a single draw, making them the clear favorites going into this clash.
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City will only be missing the option of Jack Grealish going into this match due to his injury. Players like Gvardiol, De Bruyne, and Haaland have all recently returned from injury and are fully fit to compete. Despite their options in terms of team strength, City may opt for a more rotated squad.
With a massive top-of-the-Premier-League clash against Liverpool coming in their next fixture and their lead against Copenhagen on aggregate, it’s easy to see City heavily rotating the squad to have their stronger players fully fit for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool on Sunday.
Probable Lineup
Manchester City will likely line up in the 4-1-4-1 formation. Ederson Moraes will occupy the goalkeeper spot. Ake and Walker will serve in the wingback positions. The center-back pairing will consist of Ruben Dias and John Stones. In midfield, Pep will go with Rodri in the DM role, with Alvarez and De Bruyne ahead of him. The wingers will be Phil Foden and Oscar Bobb. The leading man in front of goal will be the mercurial Erling Haaland.
Copenhagen
The Danish champions have their work cut out for them in this fixture. Having lost at home in the reverse leg, Copenhagen will need two goals unanswered to equalize on aggregate. Their form has also been shaky, having won three of their last five games and lost two, one of which was their first-leg loss to Manchester City at home.
Copenhagen Team News
The Copenhagen team is far from full strength, with injuries keeping players like Viktor Claesson, David Khocholava, Theo Sander, and Lucas Lerager unavailable for selection.
Probable Lineup
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Copenhagen will use the 4-3-3 formation. In goal, they will have Kamil Grabara, with Elias Jelert, Kevin Diks, Denis Vavro, and Scott McKenna as the backline. They will likely field Rasmus Falk, Roony Bardghji, and Magnus Mattsson in the midfield. The front three will include Jordan Larsson up front, with Elias Achouri and Mohamed Elyounoussi on the wings.
Conclusion
Manchester City is the better team; they are ahead on aggregate and the title holders of this competition. It’s difficult to see Copenhagen getting anything out of this match. That said, you can never rule out the possibility of an upset in the beautiful game of soccer. Manchester City Vs Copenhagen will likely be a straightforward affair.