Manchester City have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals but left Copenhagen battered and bruised following Tuesday night’s 3-1 win.
Phil Foden’s added-time goal gives them a two-goal lead heading into next month’s second leg at the Etihad Stadium after Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva found the net.
But Pep Guardiola was left concerned by the extent of the groin injury suffered by Jack Grealish and saw Silva forced off after a nasty tackle on his ankle.
City were outraged by a challenge from Kevin Diks that tore Silva’s socks and the Portuguese protested to the fourth official when he was substituted.
However, Grealish is a more pressing issue and will undergo tests to determine the damage.
Jack Grealish looked distraught on the touchline after being substituted with an injury.
The striker appeared to suffer a muscle injury during the first half, falling grimacing in pain.
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“It’s a shame, he’s gutted,” Guardiola said. “I didn’t speak to the doctor, but he seems muscular. The last few days his mood in training was much better.
‘He played very well, he helped us with the pace. He wanted to continue, but we didn’t want to cause even more damage.’
City suffered rough treatment all night and Guardiola added: “We knew it beforehand. We talked about it. They are very aggressive. The referee did a good job. They managed to manage that. Let’s hope Bernardo is not a big problem.”
De Bruyne finished with a goal and two assists as his form following hamstring surgery continues to soar, a run that coincides with Foden’s most consistent period of his career.
“I think it’s the longest run of games I’ve had in the team,” Foden said. ‘You get a rhythm. I feel good. You find your niche and start making connections with other players, I think that’s what it’s all about.
‘I feel alive and I’m always involved in the game. Kevin and I have built that connection now to know where we’re headed. He is a very important player for us.”
Foden claimed City’s players found it difficult to communicate in an electric atmosphere at Parken, but Guardiola believes his team calmed down the hostile home crowd.
Bernardo Silva was sent off after a hasty tackle by Kevin Diks in the second half
Guardiola speaks to Silva after he limped off with an ankle injury on Tuesday night.
“In these types of games you expect transitions where you suffer,” he said. ‘Slow down in this amazing stadium with the crowd behind them. Make 1,000 passes, don’t let them score a goal. Then the stadium collapses.
‘I saw the (Manchester) United games and how difficult it was for them. “I knew it, the players knew it.”