Man City travels to Copenhagen today ahead of their Champions League last-16 first leg against the Danish side on Tuesday
Man City might be without defender Josko Gvardiol and midfielder Mateo Kovacic for the opening leg of the Champions League last-16 against FC Copenhagen, as both were absent from training on Monday.
Although Gvardiol was not deployed as a substitute for the match, Kovacic missed the victory over Everton on Saturday due to an injury. On Monday morning, prior to the afternoon trip to Copenhagen, the Croatian duo was not present for the fifteen minutes of open training.
Academy standouts Mahamadou Susoho, Jacob Wright, and Tom Galvez were called up to the training team, and Sergio Gomez also appeared to be absent from the practice.
With a late double that defeated Everton, Erling Haaland scored for the first time since November 28 to help City extend their winning streak to ten games in all competitions.
Right now, all eyes are on the Blues, who are heavy favourites to defeat FC Copenhagen over two legs in order to retain the Champions League championship they won in Istanbul in June. However, in the previous season’s group stage, the Danish behemoths managed to hold City to a goalless draw at the Parken Stadium, and they emerged from their group ahead of Galatasaray and Manchester United.
“They had a group against Bayern Munich, against United, against Galatasaray, they go through one of the toughest groups,” Guardiola stated.
“We played against them for two years, and we lost both times. I haven’t seen them yet, but tomorrow [Sunday] I’ll start keeping a close eye on it and hearing from my workers about what they witnessed. First leg last 16 is always difficult, in my experience. It has always been challenging and it always will be.
As he manages his resources at a point in the season when he has the best team available to him thus far, Guardiola also mentioned the prospect of rotating for the first leg.
Guardiola remarked, “We might rotate again Tuesday. A few players didn’t play.” “In the second half, they felt better. Manuel Akanji and John Stones both struggled from a lack of rhythm. It was amazing when they moved inside last season, but things are not moving as freely today. Why? They were hurt, and you can’t have the rhythm you need while you’re hurt.
“It’s still there in the way they compete, run, and train daily. All of our Champions League matches were victories. As much as we want it, I get the impression that the team still wants it, and that will cause issues for the opposition.”