Manchester City's preparations to face Arsenal this weekend have suffered another setback with news of a fifth player withdrawing from international duty.
07.03.2024 - 12:47 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
It was a record-breaking night for Manchester City on Wednesday as they brushed Copenhagen aside to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Blues became the first English side to win 10 games in a row in the Champions League, and the first side in major European competition history to score three or more goals in nine consecutive home games. Erling Haaland equalled Sergio Aguero's 41 goals in Europe, while the win was City's 12th in a row in Europe at the Etihad, as part of a wider run of 30 unbeaten (W28 D2). Only Barcelona have gone longer without defeat at home in the Champions League, when they went 38 games between 2013 and 2020 unbeaten at the Nou Camp.
On a positive night all round, we have picked out the talking points from City's latest Champions League win - ahead of the Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday:
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Pep Guardiola insisted after the game that Sunday's showdown at Anfield had absolutely no bearing on his team selection against Copenhagen. 'We are exhausted', he said, adding that Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden reported they felt 'too tired' to start on Wednesday after their derby heroics. However, both wanted to play and the plan was for the pair to come off the bench in the second half if needed. They were both were seen warming up throughout the second half and are not thought to be doubtful for the Liverpool clash.
In total, Guardiola made seven changes from the United game - resting Bernardo, Foden, John Stones, Nathan Ake, Kyle Walker, and Kevin De Bruyne - while Jeremy Doku missed out through injury. After
Manchester City's preparations to face Arsenal this weekend have suffered another setback with news of a fifth player withdrawing from international duty.
Both Manchester United and Manchester City booked their place in the final four of the FA Cup over the weekend with another trip to Wembley on the horizon for both clubs.
Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals, as they learned their route to the final on Friday.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already confessed he would prefer to avoid Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in today's Champions League quarter-final draw.
Newcastle United have been handed an apparent injury boost ahead of their weekend FA Cup clash with Manchester City.
Liverpool may have used Trent Alexander-Arnold's 'it means more' comments as fuel against Manchester City this weekend - but the Blues squad insist the pre-match row played little part in their preparations at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola said that Kevin De Bruyne was happy after the game as he explained the thinking behind the substitutions that he believed saved Manchester City a point against Liverpool.
Gary Neville believes Manchester City must win at Anfield this afternoon to prove one final point under Pep Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola will have a near fully-fit squad for Manchester City's clash against Liverpool.
Manchester City secured their spot in the Champions League last eight on Wednesday night and already attention has shifted to Sunday’s Premier League title showdown with Liverpool.
Manchester City had started thinking of Sunday's huge Premier League clash at Liverpool when he rested seven big names for the Champions League last-16 second leg vs FC Copenhagen.
Rio Ferdinand has snubbed Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Bukayo Saka in his shortlist for the Premier League player of the season award. The trio have been among the best performers in the English top flight this season, chalking up a combined 69 goals and assists.
Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has named the Manchester City player who is doing what he has 'never seen before in the history of English football'.
Manchester United have been told VAR did not intervene before Manchester City's equaliser in the derby because too much time had passed between Marcus Rashford's free-kick appeal and Phil Foden's goal.
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has urged his club to copy Manchester City to return to their former glory days.
Teddy Sheringham thinks Erik ten Hag must shoulder some responsibility for Marcus Rashford's poor form .
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has sent a clear message to Manchester United after sealing the bragging rights in the derby.
Liam Gallagher has hailed Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden as 'God' after his stunning performance for the Blues against Manchester United.
Both former referee Mike Dean and ex-Manchester United captain Gary Neville agree that there could be no complaints of a foul on Marcus Rashford prior to Phil Foden's Manchester Derby equaliser.
Manchester City are looking to complete the double over neighbours and rivals Manchester United on Sunday - but will be without Jack Grealish at the Etihad.