COPENHAGEN will be having nightmares about facing ‘not human’ Erling Haaland again as the Danish side welcome Manchester City to Parken.
Haaland’s first half double inspired the Citizens to a 5-0 thrashing in the reverse fixture last week.
- Kick-off time: 5:45pm UK
- Live stream: BT Sport
- TV channel: BT Sport 4
- Copenhagen XI: Grabara; Lund Jensen, Khocholava Boilesen; Jelert, Stamenic, Lerager Kristansen; Claesson, Daramy, Haraldsson
- Man City XI: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte; Rodri, De Bruyne; Gundogan; Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez
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Claesson praising ‘killer in the box’ Haaland and ‘best team in the world’ Manchester City
Copenhagen captain Viktor Claesson labelled Manchester City the best side he has faced ‘by far’.
The midfielder believes Erling Haaland may be the missing piece for Guardiola and could lead them to Champions League glory this season.
For me they are the favourites. They have been for the last couple of years but haven’t succeeded in the final part. But it is the best team I have met by far. Now they have a real striker as well. Before they had good players, with the touches, no mistakes, simple play but now they also have the killer in the box.
Viktor Claesson, FC Copenhagen midfielder
Last time out
Manchester City were too good when these two met last week, smashing five past FC Copenhagen.
Haaland opened the scoring inside 7 minutes before doubling his side’s advantage on the half hour mark. He was inches away from a hat-trick but central defender Khocholava did the job for him, diverting the ball away from the Norwegian’s path and into his own net.
Mahrez then made it three from the penalty spot before Alvarez swept the ball home in to get his fourth goal in a City shirt.
The pair also met in a two-legged fixture in the Europa League in 2009. Manchester City won 4-3 over the two legs with Craig Bellamy getting the winner to send them through. Nedum Onuah and Stephen Ireland were also amongst the goals.
The Cityzens went on to reach the quarter finals that year where they fell short to Hamburger SV.
Manchester Cityâs Nedum Onuoha celebrates scoring the opening goal against FC Copenhagen back in 2009.Credit: PA:Press Association Haaland benched
Pep Guardiola has chosen to bench Erling Haaland for the first time this season.
The Norwegian sits top of the scoring charts in the Champions League and may see this as a missed opportunity for more goals after an explosive start to life in Manchester.
It is thought that the Spanish coach is keen to keep his talisman fresh for an important game against Liverpool on the weekend.
In his absence, Julian Alvarez will have the chance to prove himself to the fans as he occupies the number nine position this evening.
.Credit: Getty
Copenhagen XI
Jacob Neestrup rings the changes for this evening’s encounter, making four changes to the side that lost to City.
Jensen, Boilesen, Jelert and Haraldsson all come in. Diks, Vavro, Johannesson and Karamoko make way.
It looks as though they will play with a back three too, which will no doubt shift to more of a back five.
Grabara, Lund Jensen, Khocholava, Boilesen, Jelert, Stamenic, Lerager, Kristansen, Claesson, Daramy, Haraldsson
Alvarez starts as Haaland is rested for City
Pep Guardiola makes three changes to the side that beat FC Copenhagen last week.
Akanji, De Bruyne and Rodri all start for the visitors. Dias, Silva and Haaland drop to the bench.
Ederson, Cancelo, Akanji, Laporte, Gomez, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Mahrez, Grealish, Alvarez
Good evening from Copenhagen
Hello SunSport family! Thank you for joining us for this match-blog as we welcome back Champions League nights and Manchester City, who travel to Denmark for the second leg of their group stage match against FC Copenhegen.
Pep Guardiola’s side ran riot at the Etihad last week, scoring 5 goals and continuing their perfect start in the competition. Champions League top scorer Erling Haaland was at the double that day, before being withdrawn at half-time to preserve his fitness. Alvarez, an own goal and a Mahrez penalty completed the onslaught.
Meanwhile, FC Copenhagen have managed just one point from their three European games so far. Their domestic form hasn’t been too hot either, leaving them in seventh after 12 games. Whilst a place in the knockout stage looks out of reach, the Danish Champions will be hoping to pip Sevilla to third place in Group G and secure a place in the Europa League.
Whilst Jacob Neestrup’s men will have the home advantage, it is difficult to see the hosts getting out alive against a City team that have scored a whopping 24 goals across their last six matches.
We will bring you team news shortly as we build-up to this evening’s early 17:45 kick-off in the Danish capital.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
