Champions League: without forcing themselves, Manchester City heads into the quarters

It was certainly the most lopsided round of 16 on paper, and Manchester City left no room for doubt. Already well underway after the first leg, the European champions finished the job this Wednesday against Copenhagen (3-1). An identical score on both the outward and return legs but the suspense was mostly extinguished after ten minutes, time for Julian Alvarez to serve Manuel Akanji (5th) and make the break himself in the process (9th).

Very unfortunate in the draw, the Danes, who have not appeared at this level since 2011, will not have been unworthy. Already valiant in the first leg, where City had been much more pressing and dominant, the Danish champions will have lived up to their event. By scoring a goal already (29th), again on the first shot on target conceded by City, just to detect a weakness if necessary, even if this achievement for the honor of Mohamed Elyounoussi will remain short-lived.

Because the locals regained a two-goal lead before the break, the work of the inevitable Erling Haaland, on a sequence of which he has the secret (45th 3). The sixth goal of the continental campaign for the Norwegian, quite discreet otherwise. A global trend for this half-revamped City and not necessarily concerned after returning from the locker room.

Not very exciting, the second period allowed the title holders to manage their advantage and especially their squad, with a slew of holders resting and others with the handbrake on. The likely reason? Liverpool's reception this Sunday (4:45 p.m.), potentially decisive for the rest of the season in England. In the meantime, even without shining, losing balls and conceding opportunities, Pep Guardiola's City managed to secure a tenth victory in a row and their quest for another treble remains intact. And that is certainly the main thing.