City looking as strong a favourites as ever as tougher tests now await

AND so to Anfield.
That always had to be the case after this game, but the teamsheet pretty much confirmed where City heads were at even before it.
Pep Guardiola left Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden, Nathan Ake, and Bernardo Silva on the bench in arguably the heaviest rotation he has allowed for a Champions League knockout game.
Not that you could instantly tell. Manu Akanji met a Julian Alvarez corner on the half-volley early doors to turn in the opening goal before goalkeeper Kamil Grabara allowed Alvarez's effort through his hands; nine minutes in and the tie was dead.
Rico Lewis tried to get the rhythm back into his body after barely featuring in 2024, Josko Gvardiol stepped in for his first game back sine injury and young Oscar Bobb was given another opportunity for his sharp brain and twinkling toes to dazzle. If it all felt very much like a warm-up to Sunday's main event, it is probably because it was.
Erling Haaland is not half as interested in the match circumstances though as he is in putting the ball into every opposition net he comes across. Despite the weakened lineup, the Norwegian got his goal on the stroke of half-time to restore the four-goal cushion and celebrated with a leap and kick into the air.
The goal was significant for City because it moved the tie back away from FC Copenhagen after slack defending had allowed Mohamed Elyounoussi to slip into the box and finish a fine team move. It was also goal number 41 for Haaland in the Champions League in just 37 games, equalling Sergio Aguero's tally in the competition in 42 fewer games.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 07, 2024-Ausgabe von Manchester Evening News.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der March 07, 2024-Ausgabe von Manchester Evening News.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 9.500 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
CITYLIFE
THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO WHAT'S ON IN MANCHESTER
Manchester brunch cafe celebrates 10 years in business
EZRA & GIL WILL BE DISHING OUT DELICIOUS FREEBIES TO ITS CUSTOMERS ON ITS ANNIVERSARY ON JUNE 26
Roof collapses at storage depot blaze
THE ROOF of a Middleton storage warehouse which caught fire has collapsed.

'THE HUNGER IS BACK AND I WANT TO PROVE PEOPLE WRONG'
PHIL Foden is determined 'to prove people wrong' and bounce back from a frustrating 2024-25 campaign.
Pep to spare Rod as key man builds rhythm
PEP Guardiola is planning wholesale changes for City's second game in the Club World Cup, but it will be interesting to see what he plans for Rodri as the Ballon d'Or winner continues his comeback.
FAMILY VALUES
ALEXANDRA BURKE AND LESLEY JOSEPH ON THE ADDAMS FAMILY /PAGES 2&3
CROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT
Experts tell LARA OWEN how to pull off the short look
Geneva talks for Iran
IRAN'S foreign minister will meet in Geneva with counterparts from Germany, France and the United Kingdom, Iranian state media and European diplomats said, as Israeli airstrikes target his country's nuclear and military sites and Iran fires back.
'WE HAVE OUR ROOTS AND WE ARE PROUD'
CITY BOSS ON KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH HISTORY
City hit with £1m fine over 'delays'
CITY have been fined over £1m by the Premier League over delayed kick-offs or restarts related to nine of their matches last season.