European action returned with a bang on Tuesday night as two of the Champions League favourites got off to a winning start in the Round of 16.
Manchester City picked up a comfortable 3-1 win away to FC Copenhagen while Real Madrid edged past Red Bull Leipzig with a 1-0 victory in their away leg. So it looks like plain sailing so far for two of the biggest guns in Europe and, at SBOTOP odds of 2.80, Pep Guardiola’s team is the one to beat.
Copenhagen vs Manchester City was a meeting between the rank outsider in the last 16 and the hot favourite, and so it played out with the exception of a bizarre blunder from City keeper Ederson, late in the first half.
Kevin de Bruyne, it seems like he’s never been away, struck the opener with a lethal finish from a tight angle with just ten minutes on the clock, and it looked like a matter of time until the Sky Blues would double their lead. Copenhagen defender Denis Vavro headed against his own crossbar as City piled on the pressure and when the Danes equalised even their own fans were shocked! Goalie Ederson had watched the opening half hour as a spectator but, when he had the chance to join in, he played the ball out directly to Mohammed Elyounoussi and when his shot ricocheted into the path of Magnus Mattsson he fired gleefully into the net.
Normal service was resumed, just before the break, when Bernardo Silva’s clever flick restored City’s lead and the Sky Blues didn’t look back. Erling Haaland had a rare night without scoring but he did hit the woodwork and only a great save from Copenhagen stopper Kamil Grabara denied him late in the game, but the lead was extended when Phil Foden continued his hot streak with a 92nd minute third.
Guardiola’s side extended their unbeaten run in Europe to 21 matches and are odds on to make is 22 when the two teams meet for the second leg on March 6th.
Diaz does it for Madrid
Real Madrid’s trip to Leipzig gave Ancelotti’s men a chance to see how they can cope without the sensational Jude Bellingham, who was announced unavailable in the run up to the game. And, although they were tested to the full by Red Bull, Los Blancos found a new hero in attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz who scored a brilliant solo goal to give Carlo Ancelotti’s team a priceless lead.
The 14 times champions struggled to get going for long periods and the German side could have been out of sight had striker Benjamin Sesko had more luck in front of goal, while Los Blancos’ keeper Andriy Lunin put on a superb display, making nine saves as the hosts peppered his goal. Sesko though he’d scored in the second minute when he headed in from a David Raum corner but the goal was disallowed for offside.
While possession was shared Leipzig had nine shots on target to Real Madrid’s three; but Diaz’ brilliant effort, combined with Lunin’s refusal to be beaten, was enough to win the game. 48 minutes were on the clock when Diaz picked up the ball on the right wing, before beating Raum and Xavi Simons and then curling a beauty of a shot past Peter Gulacsi and into the net.
Almost immediately Lunin made a double save from Sesko and Dani Olmo to preserve the narrow lead and Los Blancos hung on. Diaz’s goal alone is worth watching this week’s Champions League 2024 highlights but, more importantly, it gives Los Blancos a foot in the quarter finals, even after a tough night in Leipzig.
What comes next?
Well, now that Manchester City and Real Madrid have put down an early marker, let’s take a look at what their biggest rivals face as they prepare to open their knockout campaign.
Second favourites FC Bayern are away to Lazio on Wednesday night and are at odds of 1.68 to win that game. Meanwhile PSG, maybe with Kylian Mbappe in his final European campaign at the Parc des Princes, face Real Sociedad
The clash of the round is Serie A leaders Inter Milan against Diego Simeone’s improving Atletico Madrid and that takes place on 20th February; and on the 21st there is another mouth-watering prospect in Naples, where Italian champions Napoli take on Xavi’s Barcelona.
All of these teams will believe they have a chance to win the tournament; it’s a knockout competition with four steps to glory. But, as the Champions League 2024 betting odds tell us, you need more than belief to beat Manchester City in a big game.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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