In the early morning of December 13th, Beijing time, in the last round of the Champions League group stage, all 2 games in Group A ended. Manchester United lost 0-1 at home to Bayern. They were eliminated at the bottom with 4 points from 6 rounds. In the other game, Copenhagen won 1-0 at home. Defeated Galatasaray, secured second place with 8 points from 6 rounds, and successfully advanced to the knockout rounds.
In this season’s group draw, Copenhagen was listed as the fourth team. Bayern, Manchester United, and Galatasaray were finally drawn. Most voices saw Bayern and Manchester United qualifying together. Copenhagen’s entire team is worth only 66.35 million euros, ranking in the third place. They are second to last among all the Champions League teams, so they are looked down upon as just giving away points.
In the first three rounds, Copenhagen was at the bottom of the group. In the fourth round, the team reversed 4-3 at home and beat Manchester United. The team saw hope of qualifying. In the fifth round, they drew 0-0 away from Bayern, which had qualified early, allowing Copenhagen to occupy the qualifying position. initiative.
In the final round of home games, as long as they defeat Galatasaray, they can secure the second place in the group, regardless of the results of Manchester United and Bayern.
Neither team scored a goal in the first half until the 58th minute of the second half, when Ashoury sent an assist and Le Lager outflanked and pushed the goal, helping Copenhagen score the only goal of the game 1-0.
According to statistics, Copenhagen was at a disadvantage throughout the game, with only 37% ball possession, 11 to 22 shots, 3 to 4 shots on target, and 3 to 9 corner kicks. In the second half, they faced one less player, and finally withstood Galatasaray’s madness. attack.
After the victory, Copenhagen’s points reached 8 points, beating Galatasaray and Manchester United, locking in second place in the group, and joining Bayern to advance to the knockout rounds.
After the game, the Copenhagen team celebrated wildly.
Copenhagen’s coaching staff collectively hugged each other and danced and caroused. Then coach Nestrup rushed into the court excitedly and continued to celebrate. He also hugged and caroused with the players, as happy as if he had won a championship.
As a Danish team that advanced to the top 16 for the first time in the history of the Champions League, Copenhagen made history again this time. It entered the top 16 for the second time in team history. The first time was in the 2010-11 season, when they were eliminated by Chelsea in the top 16. Couldn’t go any further. Now entering the knockout rounds after 13 years, Copenhagen has the hope of achieving the best record again.