“KDB is very dangerous - he doesn’t need much space to take shots. When all of the players play well, they play better together”
, Manuel Pellegrini – 12/04/2016.
Goals; De Bruyne (76')
Line Up (4-4-1-1); Hart, Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Fernandinho, De Bruyne (Toure 84'), Silva (Delph 87'), Aguero (Iheanacho 90')
Stats;Possession, 36%/64%; Shots, 9(1)/6(4); Fouls, 18/13
Referee; Carlos Velasco Carballo
Line Up (4-4-1-1); Hart, Sagna, Otamendi, Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Fernandinho, De Bruyne (Toure 84'), Silva (Delph 87'), Aguero (Iheanacho 90')
Stats;Possession, 36%/64%; Shots, 9(1)/6(4); Fouls, 18/13
Referee; Carlos Velasco Carballo
City are in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time, after knocking out French champions Paris St-Germain, 3 vs. 2 on aggregate.... Who would have believed that I would ever be able to write that sentence. Not me for sure!
Not one for the purists perhaps, but this game was one huge leap forward for a Manchester City side who've fell below their own high standards so often this season. Often that is, with the exception of the Champions League.
Where in the Premier League, the long injury list, the inconsistent defending, and the one dimensional tactical displays, have paid toll to a promising start to the Season; in the Champions League City have shone.
Tonight it was the turn of the grafters to grab the limelight. After a penalty miss from Aguero on the half hour, thoughts turned to the bad times, the times where City would so often snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, where perhaps tonight would just not be our night. But the grafters thought differently. The much maligned centre half pairing of Mangala and Otemendi, barely put a a foot wrong against the fantasy threesome of Cavani, Di Maria, and self proclaimed demigod, Zlatan Ibrahimovich. In front of them Fernando and Fernandinho ran themselves ragged, and kicked anything that moved, and some things that didn't. It was a dogged performance, a performance that the media would purr about if it were under Mourinho, but this was a Manuel Pelligrini side, a side that could only perform going forward.
Behind it all was Joe Hart. He's had so many good games in the Champions League, especially against the bigger sides, his Hart vs. Barcelona game, being perhaps the pick of the bunch. Tonight though he made three saves which ensured this fixture remained locked down for the Blues. The first, on 16', was a must save thirty yards out from Ibrahimovich, but it was vicious, and it was travelling as he tipped it over the bar. The second save just after half time, from another free kick from Ibrahimovich, this time with only twenty three yards to goal, was better. Unsighted as the ball curved past the wall, Joe dived to his right and turned the ball around the post with a strong right hand. The third save was just after City had taken the lead, and was instinctive genius. Cavani was onto the through ball, rather than stay on his line, Joe moved towards the striker cutting the angles and the space, and again was equal to the chip as he palmed the ball away. Three saves which gave City this tie.
So what about the goal? Well it was a cracker, as always, from Kevin De Bruyne. Just as City fans nerves were fraying, and thoughts were turning to the substitutions available, up popped Kevin slightly to left of middle of the D outside PSGs 18 yard box. Following what seemed a lifetime of passes in and around the area, De Bruyne stepped forward and curled the ball into the far right of the net past a helpless Trapp. 1-0 City!
It was a long time coming, but was fully deserved. The grafters had built the platform for the result, but it was a moment of magic which took the tie completely away from favourites PSG. Elsewhere Madrid turned around their 0-2 deficit to beat Wolfsburg, and tomorrow both Barcelona and Bayern play. The semi-final will not be easy, and City will again be underdogs, but perhaps we can dream a little longer when the names come out of the hat on Friday. #CTID.
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
