Manchester City EDS took a huge step towards qualifying for the next stage of the UEFA Youth League by defeating FC Copenhagen Under-19s 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon.
City came into the match level on points with the hosts in Group G, with both having opened their European campaigns with two wins before they shared the spoils in an uneventful 1-1 draw at the City Academy Stadium last week. Brian Barry-Murphy's side were much improved on a brisk afternoon in Denmark, dominating large swathes of the match and resisting a Copenhagen comeback to claim the three points.
If City lacked control and impetus last week in Manchester then that was the first thing they addressed at the Østerbro Stadion. As ever the Blues — making a rare outing in their red and black away kit, as the senior side will do later in the day — looked to dominate possession early on, but it was actually though well-coordinated pressing that the opener came about.
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A sloppy pass out from the back from Copenhagen goalkeeper Andreas Dithmer was seized upon by Carlos Borges, who played a one-two with Oscar Bobb, received the ball as he surged into the penalty area and squared for Will Dickson tap into the empty net. 18-year-old Borges has really come alive in Europe this season, the assist his sixth direct goal contribution in four Youth League outings this term.
City started the second half how they ended the first, controlling proceedings and being rewarded with a goal for their efforts. Ten minutes into the second period Adedire Mebude cut into the penalty area from the right flank and was bundled over by the defender.
The 18-year-old Scottish youth international dusted himself down and converted the penalty with ease, seemingly wrapping up the points that would leave City needing just one more win to secure top spot in the group and an automatic place in the draw for the last-16.
However, within minutes Copenhagen pulled one back courtesy of Noah Sahsah. The left winger — who scored against City last week — finished off a counter-attack by cutting inside onto his right foot and curling an effort past Van Sas.
The goal completely changed the complexion of the game, with Copenhagen looking the more likely to score in the 20 minutes that followed. City weather something of a storm with Van Sas forced into a couple of decent saves, but in the final 10 minutes their resilience was rewarded.
Borges scored his fourth goal of the Youth League campaign — his eighth in all competitions this season — and a fabulous effort it was too. Collecting the ball at the edge of the box after a set-piece situation that Portuguese attacker took the long route around the outside of the right-back, but managed to cut in at the byline before squeezing the ball past Dithmer at the near post.
The youngster was booked for his over-enthusiastic celebration, but he won't care. City know a win will secure top spot in the group, something that would see them avoid dropping into the play-off round in order to earn a place in the last 16.
The Blues will try to get that win away at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday 25th October.
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