UCL: Manchester City Qualify For Quarterfinal

Manchester City defeats Copenhagen with such ease to advance to the quarterfinals.

Defending champions Manchester City defeated FC Copenhagen 3-1 on Wednesday in their second leg of the round of 16, cruising into the Champions League quarterfinals for the seventh straight year.

The outcome concluded the hosts' 6-2 overall victory at the Etihad Stadium.

First-half goals from Manuel Akanji, Julian Alvarez, and Erling Haaland gave City, who had a two-goal lead going into the game, a commanding lead.

Manager Pep Guardiola had the convenience of resting important players like Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden ahead of Sunday's Premier League matchup against Liverpool, which is ranked first in the table.

He made seven changes to the team that defeated Manchester United 3-1, after the league derby last Sunday.

“Today, I need energy, fresh legs,” Guardiola said. “I know how tired, exhausted some of my players were today ... We play on Sunday. So I need fresh legs.”

Manchester City is one point ahead of Arsenal and one point behind Liverpool in a close race for the title, after 27 league games.

They are also deep in the FA Cup; on March 16, they play Newcastle United in a quarterfinal.

“To be part of the titles, we need everyone,” Guardiola said.

“For one more year we are in the best teams in Europe. Incredibly happy we are still in all competitions.”

Rico Lewis missed a late opportunity to give Manchester City a fourth goal, as his shot struck the crossbar.

The remaining four teams will be announced the following week. Manchester City is in the quarterfinals along with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris St. Germain.

“We are a team that believes we can do it,” Guardiola said. “Listen, we're competing with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.”

“We don't know who we are going to face. It's a question of wait and see. The important thing is seven years in a row we are here.”

Manchester City's opponents in the quarterfinals will be revealed through a drawing, on March 15.

“We feel good right now,” Akanji said.

“We're confident going into the next round. We are one of the favourites but have to prove it.”