Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola discussed the difficult challenge of Copenhagen after his side earned a 3-1 win in Denmark in their Champions League last-16 first leg.
The holders secured a comfortable win in the Danish capital to take a huge step towards the competition’s quarter-finals, with Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden on target.
Copenhagen briefly threatened an upset when Magnus Mattsson cancelled out De Bruyne’s opener, following a poor clearance from City goalkeeper Ederson.
Bernardo restored the lead just before half-time, before Foden’s stoppage-time goal provided the Citizens with a two-goal lead ahead of the return at the Etihad.
Guardiola insisted his team were well aware of the threat Copenhagen posed, after the Danish champions beat Manchester United and Galatasaray in the group stage to progress.
“I know how difficult it is,” he said at his post-match press conference.
“When people think it is easy, that makes it easy but it is not. Ask Bayern Munich and Galatasaray and Manchester United how hard it is.
“They are a really tough opponent. We played really good.
“My job is to warn the players and tell them the attributes we will need and they proved it and felt it. We behaved with the correct personality and patience and everyone was at top, top level.
“You don’t make this level in last-16 without it. Hopefully we can make the next step and go to the quarter-finals.”
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