COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Kevin De Bruyne often shines in big moments for Manchester City. He scored again at the start of the knockout stage of the Champions League.
The Belgian playmaker scored one goal and contributed to two others to inspire City to a 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in the first leg of the Round of 16 on Tuesday. The English champions have resumed their quest to retain their European title.
It was City’s record nine consecutive Champions League wins in England, dating back to last season, and their 10th consecutive win in all competitions over the past two months.
It will take something special to stop Pep Guardiola’s defending champions.
Only a careless mistake by goalkeeper Ederson Moraes, which led to Copenhagen’s equalizer in the 34th minute, prevented City from taking an even more commanding lead heading into the second leg in Manchester three weeks later.
Still, few would give the Danish champions any hope of turning things around.
De Bruyne already appears to be back to his best form after being sidelined for five months after sustaining a hamstring injury on the opening day of the season.
When asked about De Bruyne’s performance, City manager Josep Guardiola said: “The biggest players appear on the biggest stages.” “The moment of truth is when we get into the last 16 of the Champions League.”
De Bruyne has certainly made up for lost time, having been involved in nine goals in six games since his return.
“I’m progressing well, I’m feeling good and I’m good enough for now,” he said modestly. “I’m just trying to play good soccer and have fun. It’s been a long time, five to six months, but I’m happy to be able to contribute to the team’s victory.”
De Bruyne opened the scoring in the 10th minute at the atmospheric Parken Stadium, running into Phil Foden’s pass on the right side of the area and firing a low shot into the far corner.
Copenhagen, who had not played a competitive game for two months due to the mid-season suspension of the Danish league, were on the back foot in the first half – by the 20th minute City had 85% possession – but Ederson They managed to tie the score in the 34th minute with a pass out. His region has lost its way.
It was intercepted by Mohamed Elyounoussi, whose shot was blocked by City defender Ruben Dias. The ball flew towards Copenhagen midfielder Magnus Mattsson, who took his first shot on goal from the edge of the area, marking not only his debut for Copenhagen but also his first Champions League match. Ta.
City took the lead in the first minute of stoppage time. The build-up wasn’t pretty, but Bernardo Silva’s finish certainly was.
De Bruyne overran the ball and rushed to make a tackle, but the ball accidentally went into the path of Silva, who was in the area. The goalkeeper came out and Silva deftly flicked the ball into the top corner with his left foot.
The build-up to the third goal in stoppage time of the second half was deceptively much easier and once again De Bruyne was involved, but De Bruyne ran into Foden’s path down the inside right channel and converted the ball. Cutting back to the England midfielder, De Bruyne slotted home. .
“There’s no player in the world who passes the ball better,” Foden said of De Bruyne.
It was the first time since the 2010-11 season that there was a huge gulf in quality between the English and European champions and the teams competing in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.
City were also without winger Jack Grealish, who was forced off with an early injury, but he played just 21 minutes in his first game in over a month before being sent off with a suspected right groin injury. Ta.
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