“" Frustrated is a tough word. We didn't win but we didn't lose.”, Guardiola – 08/03/2017.
Goals: ;None
Line Up (4-2-3-1) (match ratings in brackets);
Caballero (7)
Sagna (6)
Otamendi (5.5)
Kolorov (6)
Clichy (5.5)
Fernandinho (5)
Navas (5.5), (Silva 57' (7))
De Bruyne (6)
Toure (6.5), (Iheanacho 76' (6))
Sané (7.5)
Agüero (6.5)
Caballero (7)
Sagna (6)
Otamendi (5.5)
Kolorov (6)
Clichy (5.5)
Fernandinho (5)
Navas (5.5), (Silva 57' (7))
De Bruyne (6)
Toure (6.5), (Iheanacho 76' (6))
Sané (7.5)
Agüero (6.5)
Referee; Neil Swarbrick (5)
Stats;Possession, 65%/35%; Shots, 12(1)/5(2); Corners, 8/1; Fouls, 8/11
Five points which sealed a boring nil-nil. Not the end of the world but another frustrating night against Stoke to add to a long collection:
1. Above all, City just spent too long in second gear. The zip and bounce, the closing and harrying, the extra miles were missing until Silva entered the fray on the hour.
2. Hats off to Stoke's two centre halves, Shawcross and Pieters, they bust a gut to close both space and players for the full 90.
3. Too many misplaced passes. Not just from the players who you expect it from (see scores above), but KDB was off his game (allegedly making more inaccurate passes than any City player this season), and Fernandhino had his worst ever game in a City shirt.
4. Sterling was a huge miss ... the price of competing on three fronts, but as I've said before I'd much rather see a City youngster than Navas starting a game.
5. Stoke's previous away 4-0 loss at White Hart Lane, proved to be badly timed for City. Stoke had learned some hard lessons and were playing for pride .
@l0ngwayfr0mh0me
