Manchester City’s standout performer, Matheus Nunes, was dealt a devastating blow as he suffered a finger injury during their comfortable Champions League triumph over Copenhagen.
Despite securing a commanding 3-1 victory in the first leg on Danish soil, Pep Guardiola’s side cruised into the quarterfinals with an identical scoreline in the return fixture, courtesy of goals from Erling Haaland, Manuel Akanji, and Julian Alvarez.
Nunes, who earned his third start in City’s last four matches, endured an unfortunate mishap midway through the second half when he awkwardly fell onto his left hand, resulting in a twisted middle finger and agonizing pain.
The 25-year-old midfielder, a £53 million acquisition from Wolves last summer, was promptly substituted for the youthful Micah Hamilton, with his hopes of featuring in Sunday’s highly anticipated clash against Liverpool now hanging in the balance, despite his fingers being securely bandaged.
With the Premier League summit at stake, a triumph would propel City two points clear of Liverpool, whereas a defeat would see them plummet four points adrift.
Images of Nunes’ injury circulated on social media platforms, prompting mixed reactions from users, with one individual initially dismissing the severity of the injury before expressing sympathy upon witnessing the graphic nature of the injury.
Former City goalkeeper Shay Given, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, reflected on Nunes’ ordeal, juxtaposing it with his own experiences of playing through adversity, albeit questioning whether he had become somewhat out of touch with modern footballing standards.
Nevertheless, it proved to be a triumphant evening for the reigning champions, who showcased their mettle from the outset.
Akanji and Alvarez swiftly propelled City into a commanding 2-0 lead within the opening nine minutes of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium, only for former Southampton and Celtic winger Mohamed Elyounoussi to peg one back for the visitors with a well-executed strike.
Haaland’s clinical finish just before halftime effectively sealed the tie, extending his remarkable goal-scoring run to seven goals in three matches.
Reflecting on the victory, Guardiola lauded his team’s progression to the next round while acknowledging the challenges posed by Copenhagen’s defensive setup.
As City await the outcome of the quarterfinal draw, scheduled for March 15th, Guardiola emphasized the club’s sustained presence in Europe’s elite competition, affirming their status as perennial contenders alongside powerhouses such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
With their eyes firmly set on Champions League glory, City remain resolute in their pursuit of continental supremacy.
