Man City made a dramatic comeback at the Etihad on Tuesday night with a shocking 3-2 win over Bayern Munich to increase their chances of making the UCL round of 16
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Sergio Aguero lifts self to become Manchester City standing hero
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Sergio Aguero nibs in one past Manuel Neuer to lift City fans' spirit at the Etihad
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Bayern goes one man down as City pounds on the opportunity for a 3-2 win at the Etihad(Getty Images)
Manchester City’s Champions league hopes were kept alive by a Sergio Aguero hat trick in a dramatic 3-2 victory over 10 -man Bayern Munich at the Etihad.
The English Champions were on brink of another early exit in the competition but responded in dramatic fashion in front of their home fans, despite being handed a bit of a lifeline followingCSKA Moscow’s 1-1 draw with Roma in Russia, the EPL Champions needed a convincing performance against the German heavy weights who are already through the next round.
Without the power pack of Yaya Toure who got sent off againstCSKA and the injured David Silva; that meant nothing short of a victory would do for Manuel Pellegrini’s side and their critics, especially on the subject of their almost perpetual failure in theChampions League.
City took the lead via an Aguero well taken penalty in the 21 minute; the Argentine was brought down by Mehdi Banatia who was shown a red card for his tackle leaving Bayern reduced to 10 men and manager Pep Guardiola on the re-shuffle taking offSebastian Rode for Brazilian centre-back Dante and it took only 19 minutes for the Bavarians to find an equalizer when Xabi Alonso passed in a low free-kick beyond a static Joe Hart in goal and Robert Lewandowski’s looping header put Bayern 2-1 up just before half-time when he got behind Vincent Kompanyand ahead of Bacary Sagna in the City defense.
It looked like it would be another dreadful night-out on the continent for City as they toiled to get the ball off Bayern for most of the second half; possession almost seems natural for anyPep Guardiola tutored side even with a man down. Xabi Alonso – the architect with the pencil to find space to release the likes of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribbery, it was quite obvious which team was in the driving seat though Frank Lampard did force a save off Manuel Neuer who pushed his canon shot over the cross bar lifting the spirits of the home crowd.
Pellegrini had Stephan Jovetic as replacement for James Milner midway through in the second period and sent in Pablo Zabaleta for Sagna minutes later, the Bayern bench also played their own cards in the final 10 minutes introducing Bastian Schweinsteiger and Xherdan Shaqiri. The impact intended byGuardiola from both subs begs for questioning and had little time to materialize when the infallible Xabi Alonso’s stray pass got intercepted by Jovetic in the middle of the park and picked up bySergio Aguero who ran clear to calmly finish off to draw City level at 2-2 in the 86 minute.
The home side had renewed hope and they sensed blood to get an unlikely victory sealed by Aguero who got his hat trick showing great composure in front of goal to beat Neuer after pouncing on some sloppy defending from Jerome Boateng.
It wasn’t the first time we saw City snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, the joyous Etihad home fans will never forget that famous day in May 2012 - the final day of the season when that same man – Sergio Aguero, smashed home the winning goal against QPR that gave Manchester City their first title in 44 years. Memories of the score line of that faithful triumph read 3-2, perhaps leaving a sense about the way City like to get things done – The hard way, the only way, and they’ve become quite accustomed to it.
So far Aguero has netted 12 goals for City this season in the Premier league and has now scored 11 goals in 11 Champions League appearances since the start of last season. But is he City’s only player?
Judging on goal scoring form, then yes; he is their only man up front with Edin Dzeko out injured and one you can count on, at the back the struggle continues to find a perfect pairing withCaptain Vincent Kompany and in midfield Yaya Toure sometimes has his off days and they desperately need the return of David Silva.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side now third in the group and tied on 5 points with second placed Roma and CSKA Moscow must get a victory against the Italians on the December 10 in Rome if they are to move to knock stage for second time in the clubs history while Bayern will be comfortable to welcome the Russians to theAllianz Arena.
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