Manchester City thrash out draw at Copenhagen despite Sergio Gómez red

Manchester City were as disjointed as they have been this season, yet still emerged with a draw against Copenhagen that all but secures qualification from Champions League Group G. On a night when Erling Haaland was rested, after starting all of their previous 12 games, Pep Guardiola’s side did a rare thing: failed to score, though this and their lack of fluidity could be traced to Sergio Gómez’s first half sending-off following a VAR review in a 45 minutes dominated – and, perhaps, blighted – by the out-of-stadium official.

City also missed a penalty – Riyad Mahrez the culprit – but can be pleased with eking out a point that barring Sevilla, bottom of the standings, winning their last three matches, including by a high margin at the Etihad, means they travel to Liverpool on Sunday in relaxed mode.

This was a good workout for that challenge. Copenhagen were defiant throughout, as signalled by an early Hakon Arnar Haraldsson corner which was headed away by Kevin De Bruyne. Mohamed Daramy, another of the Danish attacking trident, was allowed to slalom along his left corridor before, this time, Ilkay Gündogan used his head to clear the No 15’s chip.

In between, Julián Álvarez’s angled shot from the left was tipped behind by Kamil Grabara, once of Liverpool, but no corner was awarded. This delighted the faithful in Parken Stadium as much as what occurred after Rodri rifled a superb volley beyond Grabara.

For a first time Artur Dias, the referee, was ordered to the pitchside monitor by the VAR and he crossed out the strike owing to a Mahrez handball before Álvarez’s lay-off. The latter was in the XI thanks to Guardiola giving the man-of-the-season (so far) a rest, maybe with the trip to Anfield in mind.

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