(Football news) Manchester City qualified for the Champions League knockout stage after a goalless draw against FC Copenhagen at Telia Parken. Pep Guardiola rested Erling Haaland while Sergio Gomez was sent off at the half hour mark when he fouled Hakon Haraldsson at the edge of the box. Rodri had a goal disallowed while Riyad Mahrez missed a penalty but the result was a favourable one for the hosts as they secured passage into the knockouts. Pep Guardiola made five changes to his team with Julian Alvarez featuring alongside Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez. Ilkay Gundogan replaced Bernardo Silva in midfield while Aymeric Laporte returned to partner Manuel Akanji in central defence with Joao Cancelo and Sergio Gomez in the full-back slots.

Speaking after the match, Man City manager Pep Guardiola said “I thought about energy levels. Many players didn't start because they were really exhausted with fatigue and some niggles. Phil (Foden) also has some problems and Bernardo (Silva) was so tired yesterday, he told us. The players I played with felt better. To play one hour like that is tough. The width of the pitch made it tough to control. We had a lot of possession and in the last 10 minutes with Phil coming on I felt maybe we could break it, but the players gave absolutely everything. It's a good point and we will take it. I'm so satisfied. Tomorrow we will regenerate and then we have two days to prepare (to play) against Liverpool." 

When asked about the referee’s first half decisions which led to a disallowed goal, Manchester City midfielder Rodri said “Sometimes it's like this, you have to live these types of games. With an early red card it's difficult for the team but we fight to the end and have chances to score – a disallowed goal and a missed penalty but it's difficult when it's ten against 11. I'm a bit frustrated of course, I don't think anyone realised what happened but apparently it's a handball. I don't know if it's intentional or not but it is what it is. We respect the decision. Then we have a penalty miss and the red card changes the game. We wanted to come here and win, it's frustrating but we have a red card and we fight to the end. Of course we want to win but for the way we played, ten against 11, we cannot be sad." 

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