Guardiola on Haaland - 'No one can compete with him at his age'
Manchester City hope to continue their winning streak in the Champions League group stages as they come up against FC Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium tonight. Pep Guardiola’s side have already recorded comfortable victories over Sevilla (4-0) and Borussia Dortmund (2-1) with the Danish side now in their sights. City sit top of Group G and should have no trouble from third placed Copenhagen.
Copenhagen’s only point of the campaign came in a goalless draw with Sevilla back in September and the Danish club are also struggling domestically with three defeats and two wins from their last five games leaving them sixth in the Danish Superliga.
Meanwhile, City come into the fixture in brilliant form following a 6-3 win over rivals Manchester United with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden both scoring hat-tricks. Haaland now has 17 goals in 11 matches since joining the Premier League champions and continues to be City’s biggest threat in front of goal. “At his age no-one can compete with him. The numbers speak for themselves. We see things not in the stats that make us feel happy to have him here," said Guardiola when asked about the impact Haaland has made on his team.
Follow the action from the Champions League group stages as Manchester City host FC Copenhagen:
Man City 4-0 Copenhagen
64 mins: If Manchester City win this game - which they should - then beat FC Copenhagen in Denmark - which they should - then they will qualify for the knockout stages with two games in the group left to go.
Jack Grealish is taken out about six-yards from the penalty area and City win a free kick. Gundogan and Mahrez both fancy this.
Man City 4-0 Copenhagen
61 mins: Manchester City are dominating possession. Lewis loses it with an attempted run down the right but Gundogan is covering and wins it back immediately.
The tempo of the game has slackened, ever so slighty, but Copenhagen are still struggling to find a foothold.
Man City 4-0 Copenhagen
58 mins: Joao Cancelo is given a rest by Pep Guardiola who brings on 17-year-old Rico Lewis to finish this game. It’s a Champions League debut for the youngster.
GOAL! Man City 4-0 Copenhagen (Mahrez, 55’)⚽️
55 mins: Mahrez converts from the spot! He guides the ball into the bottom left corner as the goalkeeper dives the opposite way. City have their fourth.
Penalty to Man City!
54 mins: Marko Stamenic pulls down Aymeric Laporte as the cross comes into the Copenhagen box from the right wing and it’s a clear penalty.
The referee blows the whistle immediately and points to the spot. Riyad Mahrez is going to take this one.
Man City 3-0 Copenhagen
51 mins: Save! Cole Palmer receives the ball and brings it inside from the right, he takes a glance at goal and unleashes a curling effort with his left foot forcing another sharp save out of Kamil Grabara who pushes it over the crossbar.
Man City 3-0 Copenhagen
48 mins: Gundogan picks up where City left off and has a shot from outside the box. He runs down the inside left channel and checks to the right before fizzing his effort into the arms of Kamil Grabara.
Second half: Man City 3-0 Copenhagen
Kick off: Pep Guardiola does take Erling Haaland off at the break and brings on local lad Cole Palmer in his place. That’s the only swap for Man City who will look to add to their already impressive tally.
The home side get the ball rolling for the second half.
HT Man City 3-0 Copenhagen
Erling Haaland is the third player to score in each of his first three Champions League appearances for an English club, after Marouane Chamakh for Arsenal and Ferran Torres for Manchester City.
HT Man City 3-0 Copenhagen
(Getty Images)
(Action Images via Reuters)
(Getty Images)
