Copenhagen unexpectedly advanced to the Champions League knockout stage from Group A. The Danes secured the second spot in the group, leaving behind formidable opponents like “Galatasaray” and “Manchester United.” To qualify for the Round of 16, the team needed two wins and two draws. Notably, six out of their eight points were earned at home. It’s worth mentioning that the Scandinavians last reached the Champions League Round of 16 in the 2010/11 season. Interestingly, they faced another English club back then “Chelsea” (0:0 and 0:2). The Danish Superliga has not started yet, and “Copenhagen” actively participated in friendly matches, playing three games in the Atlantic Cup. However, it’s essential not to overestimate the significance of these matches as the upcoming opponent belongs to a completely different level. During the winter transfer window, Jacob Neestrup’s team strengthened its squad. They acquired midfielder Magnus Mattsson from “Nijmegen” for a record fee of 4.25 million euros for the Danish Superliga. The team did not suffer any notable losses. It’s worth noting that goalkeeper Theo Sander, defenders Meling and Hocholava, and forward Babacar will miss the game due to injuries.
Manchester City easily won their group, securing a perfect 18 points in six matches. Interestingly, all of City’s victories were with a 3-1 scoreline, and they conceded five times. This marked the 11th consecutive qualification for the Champions League Round of 16 for the English club. They are considered one of the main favorites for the title, having won it in the previous season, and will strive to defend it. Currently, under Pep Guardiola’s guidance, Manchester City has already claimed the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup titles this season. In the Premier League, they are second, trailing Liverpool by two points but with a game in hand. The team is in excellent condition, and all key players are available. Erling Haaland scored a brace against Everton, emphasizing that everything is working well for the team. In the Champions League, City has an eight-game winning streak and an unbeaten run extending to 19 matches.
