Manchester City finally got over the hump in 2023, defeating Inter in Istanbul to win the Champions League and seal a historic treble.

Pep Guardiola’s side had consistently found ways to avoid lifting Europe’s premier club competition despite often being regarded as the best team the continent has to offer. In 2023/24, they’re primed for a deep run as they attempt to defend their crown.

Their knockout stage once again begins favourably against Danish giants FC Copenhagen in the round of 16. While Copenhagen beat out Manchester United to progress into the Champions League knockouts for the first time in over a decade, many regard the Danes as the easiest tie City could’ve got.

Here’s a rundown of City’s history with the Danish giants.

Man City were starting to rise to prominence by the time they gained entry into the 2008/09 UEFA Cup – just their second appearance in Europe since 1978/79. Despite finishing ninth in the Premier League, City earned a spot on the continent thanks to their lofty Fair Play Ranking.

Sheikh Mansour had entered Sky Blue consciousness, but this European campaign was merely a taste of what would follow over the next decade. City impressed in the group stage, beating Paris Saint-Germain to top spot, and set up a round of 32 tie against FC Copenhagen.

The unfancied were still enjoying their winter break by the time the first leg rolled around, but they were able to salvage a draw on home soil. City twice took the lead through Nedum Onuoha and Stephen Ireland, but the hosts rallied after conceding and they equalised late thanks to a Martin Vingaard header.

Vingaard’s late strike in the Danish capital meant it was all to play for in the reverse fixture.

However, City were comfortably superior on home soil and were dominant without reward in the opening period. Their inevitable opener arrived after half-time through Craig Bellamy, who then added a second to all but seal progression into the last 16.

Vingaard struck a late consolation for the visitors, but City’s victory was never in doubt. Mark Hughes’ side went on to beat Aalborg on penalties in the next round before succumbing to Hamburg in the quarter-finals.

The two clubs met for the first time in the Champions League at the start of City’s memorable 2022/23 campaign. Man City and Copenhagen were drawn together in the group stage, and their first clash at the Etihad was a rout.

Guardiola’s side cruised to victory as Erling Haaland notched a brace within 32 minutes before an own goal extended City’s lead to three by half-time.

Riyad Mahrez struck from the spot at the start of the second half to add a fourth before Julian Alvarez completed the Cityzens’ dominant win with 15 minutes to spare. The visitors were limited to two shots, neither of which were on target, and just 24% possession.

An early Sergi Gomez red card meant Copenhagen got a stalemate out of the eventual champions a week later in the reverse fixture.