Jack Grealish’s early departure due to injury and Bernardo Silva’s ankle knock didn’t hinder Manchester City’s triumph over Copenhagen in the Champions League last-16 first leg. City extended their unbeaten streak in Europe to 21 matches and achieved their 11th consecutive win in all competitions.

Kevin De Bruyne’s early goal set the tone for City’s dominance at Parken Stadium, though Grealish’s injury and an Ederson mistake led to Copenhagen’s equalizer. Silva’s timely strike just before halftime restored City’s lead, and Phil Foden’s late goal secured the victory.

Pep Guardiola, City’s manager, praised the team’s performance, highlighting their patience and adaptability throughout the match. He emphasized the importance of the third goal and expressed hope for a successful conclusion in the return leg.

Guardiola provided updates on the injured players, noting a muscular issue for Grealish and a significant knock on Silva’s ankle. 

Despite the setbacks, Guardiola acknowledged Grealish’s recent positive contributions and his role in setting the team’s tempo.

“Bernardo has a big knock on his ankle. I didn’t speak with the doctor but it looks muscular for Jack, his groin.

“It’s a pity because, in the last few days, his mood in training was much better, he was playing really good, really good. He helped us to play at the right tempo.

“You cannot play so slow but you cannot play so fast against teams this organised, you have to find the right tempo and he helped us a lot,” he said.

The victory not only propels City closer to the quarter-finals but also elevates England to second place, behind Italy, in the UEFA coefficient rankings, positioning them for an additional Champions League spot next season.