Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Borussia M'gladbach 1-1 Manchester City: Man City through to Champions League last 16 after draw

David Silva scored for Man City as they reached the last 16 of the Champions League
David Silva scored for Man City as they reached the last 16 of the Champions League
Manchester City qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday after a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach.
The goals came in the first half, with a thunderous strike from Raffael giving the hosts the lead in the 24th minute before David Silva got a lacklustre City level with the last kick of the opening period. 
Both sides were also reduced to 10 men in the second 45 minutes, with Gladbach captain Lars Stindl sent off six minutes into the half and Fernandinho dismissed 12 minutes later with the duo shown two yellow cards. 
The point was enough to send Man City through to the knockout rounds as they have a better head-to-head record against the Bundesliga side, with Barcelona also going through after beating Celtic in Group C's other fixture.
Fernandinho was sent off for Man City in the second half
Fernandinho was sent off for Man City in the second half
Although City saw the better of the ball in the first half, it was Gladbach who had the first effort of the game as Stindl played Fabian Johnson through in the box, but Claudio Bravo got low to keep him out, before Sergio Aguero slipped on the surface and was unable to connect properly with a Silva cross.
The hosts made their pressure count and took the lead in the 24th minute with a sublime effort from Raffael. Stindl was involved again as he made a darting run down the left, firing in a cross to the Brazilian at the top of the box and he powered home past a leaping Bravo.
Raffael scores Borussia Monchengladbach's first goal against Manchester City
Raffael scores Borussia Monchengladbach's first goal against Manchester City
Both goalkeepers were called into action in quick succession 10 minutes later as Yann Sommer made a fine fingertip clearance to keep out a pinpoint effort from Ilkay Gundogan before Oscar Wendt wriggled through the City defence, but his shot was thwarted by the Chilean stopper.

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City finally came to life in the last five minutes of the half after a change of formation from Pep Guardiola, and they got their breakthrough on the stroke of half-time. It came after some great team build-up play, leading to Silva poking home a Kevin De Bruyne cross past Sommer to get City level.
Fabian Johnson and Nicolas Otamendi tangle during the game
Fabian Johnson and Nicolas Otamendi tangle during the game
The visitors could have had a second seven minutes after the restart after another De Bruyne cross was turned into the net - this time by Raheem Sterling - but the Belgian was flagged for offside and the goal ruled out.
Mere seconds later, and Gladbach were reduced to ten men as Stindl was booked for a second time. He had been one the hosts' best players but a poor foul on Nicolas Otamendi - after clipping De Bruyne in the first half - saw him given his marching orders.
Lars Stindl receives a red card during the game at Borussia Park
Lars Stindl receives a red card during the game at Borussia Park
But the man advantage for City only lasted for ten minutes as they also had Fernandinho sent off. It was a much harsher decision for the midfielder, who appeared to slightly pull Raffael back but it was deemed a second bookable offence by the referee after an initial card for a tackle on Mahmoud Dahoud just before half-time.
Immediately after, Gladbach had their best chance of the second half as Raffael let fly from the top of the box but it just whistled past the far post, with Sommer in action at the other end a few minutes later, making a strong one-handed save to block a stinging effort from De Bruyne.
David Silva equalises for Manchester City against Borussia Monchengladbach
David Silva equalises for Manchester City against Borussia Monchengladbach
City continued to see the better of the ball as the game drew to a close and could have sealed a victory with four minutes of normal time to play as Otamendi headed wide from a Silva corner, but ultimately a point was all that they needed to make the last 16 of the Champions League for a fourth successive season.
@chayil$

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