Champions League Update: Atlanta hold Manchester City 1-1; Bayern book last-16 spot
City effortlessly dominated the first half, but Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty to extend the lead and this implied that City had to remain contented with a scoreline of 1-0 by the half time.
SNS | New Delhi | November 7, 2019 1:14 pm
Goal from Mario Pasalic helped Atlanta hold Manchester City to a goal apiece at a packed San Siro Stadium on Thursday.
Raheem Sterling continued his form to give the visitors an early lead in a match, where Pep Guardiola’s side experienced contrasting halves.
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In just the 7th minute of the game, Gabriel Jesus showed great awareness to back heel Bernardo Silva’s incisive pass perfectly into Sterling’s path, who stroked the ball into the bottom right corner to put the guests in the driving seat.
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City effortlessly dominated the first half, but Gabriel Jesus missed a penalty to extend the lead and this implied that City had to remain contented with a scoreline of 1-0 by the half time.
However, Atalanta emerged as a different side after the break.
In the 49th minute, Mario Pasalic crashed a header past Claudio Bravo to equalise. After a terrific cross from Alejandro Dario Gomez, Palisic, who was totally unmarked in the box, powered the ball with a bullet header to chance the scenario.
Meanwhile, City struggled to replicate the first-half dominance. Though Kyle Walker’s appearance between the sticks made for a nervy final 10 minutes, the guests ended up with one point.
It is to note that Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson was replaced at half time with a muscle problem, before substitute Bravo was sent off in the final 10 minutes.
On Wednesday, riding on goals from Robert Lewandowski and Ivan Perisic at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich sealed a place for the round of 16.
Lewandowski drew the first blood in the 69th minute, whereas Ivan Perisic sealed the victory in the 89th minute with the second and final goal of the match.
Pep Guardiola is in unprecedented territory. With Manchester City having gone winless in their last seven outings, the Spaniard is not too optimistic about his side's chances in the Premier League title race claiming it would be a 'big mistake' to even think about it.
“I felt I could not leave now, simple as that,” Guardiola said in a statement. “I think we deserve, after four defeats in a row, a chance to bounce back and try to turn the situation around. I enjoy being here. I like being the manager of this club.”
Manchester City are grappling with a deepening injury crisis following their 2-1 League Cup defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, with winger Savinho and defender Manuel Akanji the latest to join an already lengthy list of sidelined players.