This was an enormous game for Manchester City. A win against the Russian giants would take them level on points with Roma, provided the Italians did not produce a shock result against leaders of Group E, Bayern Munich. Pellegrini has never been knocked out of this stage of the competition, and will be determined to maintain that record. However, despite many seeing Moscow as having no chance in this seasons Champions League, a win for them would take them within one point of Roma, and leave Manchester City bottom. This really was a must win game for both sides if they had any hope of progressing.
The night started off with a huge shock. Moscow took the lead within just two minutes through Doumbia. A header from a set piece that flew past Joe Hart into the top right hand corner. Pellegrini could hardly have asked for a poorer start, especially after the Manchester City manager had given this fixture the status of a 'must win' game. City responded well though, and grabbed their equaliser through the big brute that's is Yaya Toure. He stepped up and curled a glorious free kick past the hapless Akinfeev. It was reminiscent of his old self which we have not seen a great deal of recently. City continued to dominate the play, having a number of efforts on goal, but failed to really test the keeper.
Moscow were are at sixes and sevens in defence. They looked extremely fragile and lack of communication cost them a number of corners, that would have otherwise been goal kicks. Despite all their frailtie's at the back, they constantly looked a threat on the counter, and unlike City, took their chances. They took full advantage of an atrocious piece of City defending, gifting the ball to Bebras Natcho who played in Doumbia to slot home his second of the night. A brace of goals for Doumbia and a brace of assists for Natcho. City would need to pull out all the stops to re-assert themselves in the second forty-five.
The second half was set up perfectly for an open, entertaining contest, and that's exactly how it panned out. It was clear how much the City players wanted this win. Every time they attacked, they committed men forward and got numbers into and around the box. The play was fluent and they drove through Moscow with inch perfect passing and good movement. It was truly remarkable how Moscow withstood these attacks.
Their frustration was beginning to show and half way through the second period, Fernandinho, was sent off for a second yellow card. City a goal down and a man down. They continued playing at their high tempo and it seemed only a matter of time before they equalised again. A number of chances were once again squandered and it felt it was simply not their night. The crowd were getting restless and the play became forced. With ten minutes to go, Yaya Toure joined Fernandinho for an early night, as he too received a second yellow. It was breathtaking stuff as City still pressed and looked as though they were the team with eleven men on the pitch.
Despite mountains of pressure put upon them, Moscow managed to hold on for a famous victory, which sees them move above City onto four points. I believe City are all but eliminated now and once again will fall at the first hurdle in Europe's elite competition. Today it was simply the fact that they could not finish and switched off twice at the back. However, they can not use that as an excuse. They have a array of world class players in their squad, but for some reason, they are just not able to do well in the Champions league. As for Moscow they were rather lucky today, but it was a win nonetheless, and that's what counts. It's a long way back for City, but if they manage it, it will be an astonishing comeback.
No comments:
Post a Comment