Though City booked a place in the Round of 16 with a 0-0 draw against FC Copenhagen, it was a game dominated by three borderline VAR decisions in the first 30 minutes.
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| FC Copenhagen 0-0 Manchester City. Citizens are now in the round of 16 after Goalless encounter in Parken, Denmark. Photo: @ManCity |
VAR remains ‘Marmite’ technology – you either love it or loathe it – but it is undoubtedly here to stay.
Rodrigo’s sublime 25-yard rocket flew into the top left hand corner of the Copenhagen net, only for it to be ruled out for brushing Riyad Mahrez’s hand.
Did that help the trajectory of the ball or benefit City? Of course not.
Then there was the penalty City were awarded – harsh on the Danes would be an understatement – but Mahrez will be extremely disappointed to have seen his spot-kick saved.
Then there was Sergio Gomez’s dismissal.
Manchester City Manager Pep Guardiola “really satisfied” with outcome ⬇️
A good point 👊
⚪️ 0-0 ⚫️ #ManCity pic.twitter.com/txAHmVtjRO
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 11, 2022
The referee’s decision to wave away Copenhagen claims that Gomez had fouled Hakon Haraldsson was correct, but yet again VAR stepped in and once the decision to award an infringement had occurred, Gomez’s evening was over.
Manchester City through to “knockout stages” ⬇️
Through to the #UCL knockout stages! 👊 pic.twitter.com/H5brXNxJnF
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 11, 2022
That said, a resilient City still largely dominated the game and the 0-0 draw secured passage to the next phase of the competition with two games to spare.
mancity.com
