Line-ups

FC Copenhagen: Christiansen, Pospech, Laursen, Antonsson, Wendt, Kvist, Kristensen, Norregaard, Hutchinson, Almeida, Santin.

Man City: Given, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Bridge, Zabaleta, Kompany, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Robinho, Bellamy.

First Half

The teams were greeted with a rousing reception at the Parken Stadium tonight, both sets of fans determined to keep the spirits high despite the freezing conditions.

The early stages of the game did not boast much in the way of excitement, both teams playing wearily of their opponents and looking unwilling to be caught off guard. Perhaps the only notable mention was the man-marking job on Robinho, who was being double marked - The home side clearly intent on keeping the Brazilian quiet.

Ten minutes into the game, Shay Given made a mess of a seemingly simple task, almost dropping a ball that he had cl**tched out of the air from a Copenhagen corner kick. Thankfully the City back-line was there to clean up and the crisis was avoided.

As the first half unfolded, both teams mellowed out slightly and started to test their opposition. Culmination of the home side's play always seemed to fall to Danish midfielder, William Kvist, who seemed to be lacking the technical ability to put the ball past Given, while at the other end of the field, Shaun Wright-Phillips squandered an almost surefire goal, peeling off his marker but shooting straight at ex-Rangers prospect, Jesper Christiansen.

Thirty minutes in and the deadlock was broken, the most unlikely of canditated providing the strike. City defender Nedum Onuoha stayed fairly advanced as the home side failed to cleanly clear from a set piece. The big Englishman sneaked through the opposition's defence, connected with a through ball from Stephen Ireland and drilled straight for goal. The weak strike was not dealt with properly by the Danish 'keeper, who failed to get low enough and smother the ball, resulting in Onuoha's shot trundling past him and into the net.

The half drew to a close with only Zabaleta making a notable attempt. The Argentine charged down the right flank, cut inside, and produced a drive that could only find the outside netting. A poor final decision from the wide player.

Second Half

The game offered no substitutions at half time, but it appeared both managers had a word with their teams, both sides looking hungrier at the start of the half.

Wright-Phillips quickly reiterated his presence on the field with the first attempt of the half. His charging drive sailed in at a rather difficult angle, but the fumbling Cristiansen overcame his nerves to easily stop the effort.

Craig Bellamy was another to produce a good appearance tonight, putting in a good shift as a target man and allowing his five-man midfield to play off him with relative success. Five minutes into the second half, the emphatic Welshman played on from the left hand side of the box to Ireland, who was looming in the centre. Ireland's shot was on target, but again blocked by the somewhat rejuvenated Danish stopper.

The home side made full use of some static defending by the Citizens, Brazilian striker Almeida cashing in on the 56 minute mark to even the scoreline and put Copenhagen back in the game. Wonderful positioning from the unmarked hitman.

The Danish Lions were reveling in their apparent comeback for all of five minutes, when Stephen Ireland popped up once again to capitalise on some wonderful play by Wright-Phillips, finishing emphatically past Christiansen, and putting the visitors in the lead once more.

City, looking eager not to make the same mistake twice, matched the Superliga outfit in their surge for a result. Both sides produced some outstanding play after Ireland's wonderous finish, but neither looked sharp enough to produce an end product.

Ulrik Laursen, Copenhagen's captain was let off the hook late in the game, as he mistimed his attempt at a clearance, which subsequently played in Robinho. The young Brazilian burst through the Danish defence, but his shot was only fitting to end up in the gloves of Cristiansen once more.

The first minute of the three added at the end of the match, City would throw their lead away once more. Copenhagen substitution Martin Vingaard was allowed a free header in the box and made no mistake, burying the ball in the net behind Given. The Danish youngster had been the greatest performer on the night for the homeside, and his efforts were duly awarded.

Attendance:
30,159, Parken Stadium, Denmark.

F.C. Copenhagen 2 - 2 Manchester City.