Man City defeated FC Copenhagen to secure next round berth in UCL

The 28-year-old Swiss defender Manuel Akanji was named as the best player from Manchester City's 3-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in the second leg of the 2023/2024 Champions League last 16 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday(06th March 2024). All four goals in the match were scored in the first half of the game, The Citizens' goals were created by Manuel Akanji, Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland and the visitors Copenhagen narrowed the gap thanks to Mohamed Elyounoussi's goal.

Thanks to this result, Man City secured a berth for the next round in the quarter-finals of UCL with a 6-2 aggregate win. In the first-leg match in Denmark last February, City won with a score of 3-1 when they took an unassailable lead over the hosts. UEFA panellists chose the Swiss defender as the best player in the match. Apart from scoring his team's opening goal, Akanji played solidly in City's back line and tacked a rating of 8 against the Danish club.

"He scored a good first goal and played a good, controlled defensive game. He made some good interceptions." wrote the UEFA panellist. As a ball-playing defender, Akanji made a massive contribution when City built attacks. The Swiss international defender was recorded as sending passes into the heart of the opponent's defense 13 times. From the defensive side, he recorded three sweeps, one interception, two ball recoveries and won three duels.

Manchester City: Ederson; Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias (John Stones 68'), Josko Gvardiol; Rico Lewis, Rodri (Sergio Gomez 46'); Matheus Nunes (Micah Hamilton 74'), Mateo Kovacic, Oscar Bobb, Julian Alvarez; Erling Haaland (Jacob Wright 88').

Coach: Pep Guardiola.

FC Copenhagen: Kamil Grabara; Denis Vavro, Kevin Diks, Scott McKenna; Peter Ankersen, William Clem (Oscar Hojlund 58'), Mohamed Elyounoussi, Elias Jelert (Birger Meling 78'); Victor Froholdt (Magnus Mattsson 58'), Elias Achouri (Roony Bardghji 58'); Orri Oskarsson (Andreas Cornelius 68').

Coach: Jacob Neestrup.