<\/p>\n
Kevin De Bruyne insists he is still some way off his best level despite orchestrating Manchester City\u2019s comfortable 3-1 Champions League win at FC Copenhagen.<\/p>\n
City entered their last-16 tie as hot favourites to progress and will take a two-goal advantage back to the Etihad for the second leg after a dominant display in the Danish capital.<\/p>\n
De Bruyne got the ball rolling when drilling home Phil Foden\u2019s pass early on and despite Magnus Mattsson smartly seizing upon a rare Ederson error to level proceedings, the brilliant Belgian had the last laugh.<\/p>\n
His killer passes at the end of each half allowed Bernardo Silva and Foden to convert \u2014 yet the 32-year-old insists he is still shaking off the cobwebs following his spell on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.<\/p>\n
De Bruyne said: \u201cI\u2019m just trying to play good. It\u2019s been a long five or six months but I\u2019m just happy to be back, helping the team win games and trying to be at my best.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel alright. Obviously, I still need a couple more games and minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve not played 90 minutes for almost a year but I\u2019m getting there, I\u2019m feeling good and the level is good enough for the moment \u2014 so I\u2019m happy.\u201d<\/p>\n
City boss Pep Guardiola was full of praise for his No17, who has also assisted in all four of his Premier League appearances since returning from a five month lay-off.<\/p>\n
Guardiola said: \u201cThe first goal was amazing \u2014 the right pass and tempo from Phil Foden, too.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe biggest players appear on the biggest stages. It\u2019s the hour of truth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started well. We have to do our job and finish it. I\u2019m just really pleased with the result.\u201d<\/p>\n
Guardiola was unnerved by the nature of Copenhagen\u2019s goal, choosing instead to praise his side for extending their advantage late on.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThe game was really well played from the first minute. We conceded a goal but sometimes that happens.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe third goal helped us a lot. Hopefully we can finish it off at home and go to the next game.\u201d<\/p>\n
City have five games to negotiate before the second leg, which will take place on Wednesday, March 6.<\/p>\n
\nDe Bruyne\u2019s last 8 UCL games: <\/p>\n
\ud83c\udfaf v Sevilla
\u26bd\ufe0f\ud83c\udfaf v RB Leipzig
\u274c v Bayern
\ud83c\udfaf v Bayern
\u26bd\ufe0f v Real Madrid
\ud83c\udfaf\ud83c\udfaf v Real Madrid
\u274c v Inter
\u26bd\ufe0f v Copenhagen pic.twitter.com\/xf4xsnxL3Y<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 LiveScore (@livescore) February 13, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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