FC Copenhagen ‘v’ Man City – Review

Result: FC Copenhagen 2 – 2 Man City

An entertaining encounter in Denmark last night culminanted in an enjoyable match for the neutral although a slightly disappointing one for City and their boss Mark Hughes. The visitors took the lead twice in the match, but on each occasion, were pulled back by a resilient, if a touch fortunate, FC Copenhagen side. Nedum Onuoha gave the Blues the lead partway through the first half following a horrendous blooper from the goalkeeper, only to see Ailton Almedia bring the hosts back level with a powerful header. The visitors regained the lead after a Stephen Ireland shot, but were denied the victory in the final minute, when substitute Martin Vingaard scored to earn the Danes a draw. ‘Exciting game of football, lots of missed chances, shaky at set-pieces, concede last minute goal’ = Typical Man City.

Team News

Mark Hughes made a total of three changes from the side which succumbed so meekly and without fight at Portsmouth. Captain Richard Dunne returned following his four-match suspension, whilst fellow defender, young English chav Micah Richards replaced Shaleum Logan after recovering from injury. Dwarf Shaun Wright-Phillips replaced Elano, whilst Vincent Kompany moved forward into central midfield.

For the home side, there was no place in the starting eleven for former city player Niclas Jensen, who was consigned to bench-warming. Copenhagen actually started the game with more Brazilians than City did, as they partnered Almedia with alice-band wearing Santin.

Copenhagen striker Santin went for the girl look

City Line-Up

                                      Given

Richards         Dunne                Onuoha         Bridge

                     Zabaleta              Kompany

SWP                             Ireland                      Robinho

                                    Bellamy

Subs: Hart, Garrido, Weiss, Elano, Vassell, Evans, Caicedo

Report

The game started fairly cagily, with both sides probing without causing damage. Copenhagen were returning to action after a winter break and they looked understandably rusty, although they did have a penalty appeal correctly turned down inside the opening couple of minutes when Onuoha ‘pushed’ Almeida in the box. City were starting to control the game and the attacking midfield threesome of Robinho, SWP and Bellamy were panicking the home side’s defenders. The Welsh striker, in particular, was using his blistering pace to get in behind the backline, although he was adjudged offside when through on goal.

The first moment of activity happened in the fourteenth minute, when the usually reliable Shay Given dropped the ball under no pressure from a corner. Pablo Zabaleta cleared the danger so any goalscoring opportunity was averted, but this moment just reminded everyone of what tricky weather conditions the game was being played in, with the snow was falling heavily and the wind blowing a strong gale.

City created their first shooting chance midway through the first half, when, following some mesmeric work down the Copenhagen right flank, Robinho pulled the ball across for SWP who turned one defender before hitting his shot straight at Jesper Christiansen in the net. City sensed blood and it was just moments later when the goal they desperately craved arrived. Following a corner, Stephen Ireland won the ball and laid into the path of the onrushing Onuoha who had gone up for the set-piece. Showing remarkable upper-body strength, the young defender brushed off a couple of challenges before side-footing an effort on target. That seemed to be that, with the ‘keeper in position to collect the ball with ease. But what happened next will haunt Christiansen for years to come. Think Massimo Taibi against Southampton or Heurelho Gomes at any point this season and you will only come close to imagining the howler that followed. Somehow, Christiansen failed to get his body behind the ball, allowing Onuoha’s shot to squirm under him and trickle into the back of the net. It was the defender’s first goal since March last year, and he will surely score none easier than this one in the future.

Onuoha celebrates his goal with Shaun Wright-Phillips

The Blues created another couple of half-chances before the break, with Zabaleta curling his effort into the hands of Christiansen, who somehow managed to cling on, and Bellamy’s free-kick nearly finding Ireland. The referee blew his whistle shortly afterwards and as both sides went in for half-time, it was City in the ascendancy.

The second period started like the first; cagey and without excitement. That was the case until the 56thminute, when a corner for the home side resulted in an against-the-run-of-play equaliser. The ball was swung in at pace and Almedia got in front of his maker, Wayne Bridge, to head the ball past the stranded Shay Given. This was possibly the third goal in four games which Bridge has been at fault for; a trend which must be eradicated.

City were not deterred and they re-took the lead just five minutes later following some good work from SWP. Despite the close attention of two or three Copenhagen defenders, the tricky winger somehow managed to cross the ball from the right, finding Stephen Ireland on the edge of the box, and the Irish midfielder made no mistake with the finish, burying the ball in the bottom corner of the net. From here on in, one would have thought that City possessed enough quality and know-how to seal off the game, and they looked to be doing this as they created numerous chances. Robinho fluffed a superb one-on-one opportunity which he should have scored, whilst Christiansen made a smart save low down from SWP.

Craig Bellamy used his pace to great effect all night

The Blues brought on Felipe Caicedo to waste time as three minutes of additional time was announced. And it was in the second of these when the Danes snatched a draw from the clutches of defeat, when Morten Vingaard headed in unchallenged from the six-yard box. City were devastated; Copenhagen were elated. the goal gives them hope, although with two away goals in the bank, City are firm favourites to progress to the next round.

Key Battles

Niclas Jensen ‘v’ Shaun Wright-Phillips

Mare Part 1. Jensen started on the bench and never got on the pitch = No Winner

Libor Sionko ‘v’ Vincent Kompany

Mare Part 2. Sionko came down with flu on the eve of the game so played no part in the proceedings = No Winner

Ulrik Laursen ‘v’ Craig Bellamy

Finally. Bellamy looked sharp all evening, causing the whole of the Copenhagen defence problems with his pace. Laursen seemed slow all night and was possibly at fault for Ireland’s goal = Bellamy

Libor Sionko was ruled out with the flu

Player Ratings

Given – Dropped an easy cross in the first half, but not at fault for either goal – 6

Richards – Still searching for top form, although this was an improvement on recent displays. Possibly at fault for last minute equaliser – 6.5

Dunne – Captain returned after four-match ban and added solidity to City’s defence – 7

Onuoha – Scored a fluke goal and looked secure at the back. Deserves an extended run in the side – 7.5

Bridge– Troubled at times by right-winger, but got forward well to support Robinho. Needs to cut out errors at the back – 6.5

Zabaleta – Still being played in his midfield role and does a solid, if unspectacular, job – 6

Kompany– Pushed forward in the absence of de Jong and played well. Looks a strong, commanding figure in the middle – 7.5

SWP – Bright and full of trickery throughout. Showed what City missed against Portsmouth – 8

Ireland – Full of energy and endeavour. Scored a good goal and showed signs of returning to best form – 8

Robinho – Much better after his talk with Hughes. When on the ball, he caused problems but still ducked out of a couple of challenges – 7

Bellamy – Livewireup-front all evening. Has terrific pace but needs to stay onside more often – 7. 5

Subs:

Caicedo – No time to mark the Ecuadorian who only came on in the 89th minute

Men of the Match: Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stephen Ireland