GELSENKIRCHEN • If Pep Guardiola learnt anything from a chaotic night in Germany's industrial heartland, it was that you cannot keep a good narrative down.
Leroy Sane had been left on the bench for his return to Schalke and it did not seem an unreasonable decision given the manner that Manchester City went about their business clinically, taking the lead through Sergio Aguero.
However, the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie turned on its head after the video assistant referee (VAR) twice intervened to award spot kicks, which were converted by Schalke midfielder Nabil Bentaleb.
Nicolas Otamendi was then sent off after the break and City's away record in Champions League knockout games going into this fixture, with five of their last eight matches ending in defeat, was under scrutiny again.
But Sane's rocket of a free kick with five minutes left and Raheem Sterling's route-one goal in added time spared City's blushes, giving Guardiola's men a 3-2 victory at the Veltins Arena on Wednesday.
Afterwards, the former Schalke academy product admitted to feeling "sorry" for his equaliser.
He said: "I couldn't really celebrate. Of course I was pleased for my team, but to score a goal like that against my former love...
"It was very emotional for me to be back in my home town... At the end, we scored three goals away, that's the most important thing."
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand felt Guardiola did not err in naming Sane only as a substitute as the Germany winger has "the end product and is a killer in that sense of the game".
He told BT Sport: "He comes on, makes a huge impact and that's what defines great teams as well. He just looks like poetry in motion the way he plays. He glides across the pitch."
8
Leroy Sane has scored three goals and set up five in his last seven appearances for Manchester City in all competitions.
However, Guardiola conceded that City could not continue to rely on individual brilliance to bail them out of trouble as "it is not enough at this level".
Calling on his side to stop giving opponents "options to be in the game" - Schalke took full advantage of their only two shots on target - he said: "We have some work to do. To go away and score three goals, I am delighted, but... we have to improve on that (defending)".
The Spaniard also backed the VAR despite a delay of over three minutes, after a technical error meant referee Carlos del Cerro Grande could not check Otamendi's handball for Schalke's first penalty.
He added: "The VAR needs time, they will improve, the screen was broken but, next time, they will be better.
"I support the technology because they (the match officials) need the help."
The Premier League champions are the only English club still capable of securing an unprecedented quadruple this season.
They will also be without Fernandinho, who was booked for the second spot kick, for the return leg at the Etihad on March 12.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
Football: Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure Liverpool drew 1-1 at home to Leicester City, prompting questions about their ability to stay the course. PHOTO: REUTERS
Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under pressure
Willian gem sinks Newcastle as Chelsea cement fourth place Fourth-placed Chelsea have won five of their last seven league matches and sit six points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal, who lost at
Willian gem sinks Newcastle as Chelsea cement fourth place
SINGAPORE, 15 MAY 2019 - The Merlion Cup will return to the Singapore football calendar this June after a decade-long hiatus. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced today afternoon that the invitational tournament will be staged for the eighth time in a new quadrangular format, which will feature the national Under-22 teams of Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Singapore Slingers Set for Pre Season Merlion Cup Action
Mauricio Pochettino says Harry Kane is making a "fantastic" recovery and could be back in action ahead of schedule following the ankle injury he suffered last month against Manchester United. Kane was initially ruled out until March, but Spurs boss Pochettino said the England captain could feature
Reports on Friday evening suggested this weekend's game with Newcastle will be Jose Mourinho's last as Manchester United manager. Here, Football Paradise takes a look at Mourinho's United reign. Trophies Mourinho became the first United manager ever to mark his debut season at Old Trafford
Home » News » Sports » Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner On April 1, 2019 12:37 pm In Sports by Emmanuel Okogba
Karim Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca
On January 21, soccer player Emiliano Sala was traveling via a private plane between England and France when the aircraft suddenly disappeared over the English Channel. After 24 hours of searching and no sign of a plane or debris anywhere, the athlete was presumed dead.
Body found in wreckage of plane carrying soccer player Sala
Neymar was suspended for three Champions League matches by UEFA on Friday for a foul-mouthed tirade at match officials following Paris Saint-Germain's shock exit from this season's tournament to Manchester United. The Brazil star missed the 3-1 Champions League second leg last 16 defeat on March 6
Neymar banned for three Champions League matches over ref
Bayern Munich won a record-extending seventh consecutive Bundesliga title on Saturday after crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 to finish two points ahead of rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich win Bundesliga title for seventh successive
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct for his behaviour during Monday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley, the English Football Association said. The Chelsea coach was
Chelsea's Sarri charged with misconduct over Burnley
Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps Soccer Football France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Olympique Lyonnais left back Ferland Mendy will join Real
Ferland Mendy set for Real move, says France coach Deschamps
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in. Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in. Soccer Football - Champions League - Liverpool
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season
english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/6/330292/Sports/Klopp-plays-down-Liverpool-fatigue-concerns-ahead-.aspx
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in. Sports Egyptian Football | Talents Abroad Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in (Photo
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season
La Liga: Karim Benzema Saves Real Madrid Blushes With Late
Pochettino was fuming at full-time, confronting Dean and his assistants on the pitch in a lengthy rant that showed his frustration at both Burnley's first goal and Tottenham's missed opportunity.
Pochettino loses his cool as Spurs slump, Huddersfield closer
Wolves reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998, beating United 2-1 Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis by beating last year's runners-up
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis
0 comments:
Post a Comment