City 5-3 Monaco: An eight goal classic at the Etihad
City take a huge step towards UEFA Champions League quarter finals, with a convincing win against Monaco.
In an end-to-end match City came out 5 – 3 victors, coming from behind twice against AS Monaco at the Etihad on Tuesday evening.
Raheem Sterling gave the Blues an early lead in the 26th minute after a world beating run by 21-year-old Leeroy Sane. This was cancelled out by two opportunistic goals from rejuvenated striker Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappe, after some poor defending.
Though Monaco didn’t have it all their own way as a seemingly certain penalty claim was judged to have been a dive by Aguero, rather than a foul when the score was still 1-1.
The fast pace was maintained in the second half with Otamendi giving away a penalty on Falcao whose tame penalty was saved by Caballero.
A howler from Monaco goalkeeper Subasic let Pep Guardiola’s side back into the match after he fumbled a tame shot in the 58th minute. But it only took two minutes for the French Leagues top scorers to go in front once again after a stunning individual run and expertly chipped shot over Caballero.
Sergio Aguero again proved his importance to City, amidst claims he will leave in the summer, by again levelling the score from a sweetly stuck volley off the back of Silva’s corner kick. City’s fourth again came from a corner, that was poked in by John Stones at the far post putting the Citizens ahead for the first time in the match. But City weren’t finished there, adding a fifth after an unselfish pass from Aguero put eventual man of the match, Sane, clean through on goal. Giving Manchester City a two goal advantage for the second leg to be played on the 15th March.
Pep Guardiola said after the game: I'm so happy for the result because we're still alive, and especially for the performance of the guys.
Of course we have to improve in defence the first goal is a mistake, and the second goal again… but today the lesson is we didn't give up.”
Speaking about the second leg the City boss said:” I’m pretty sure we are going to go to fly to Monaco to score goals as much as possible. That is my target - not to defend the result… if we don't score a goal, we will be eliminated.''
All Manchester need to qualify is to avoid a 2 – 0, or greater, defeat at The Stade Louis II stadium in the second leg. Which is no mean feat as Monaco are the top scorers in the French League with almost 80 goals, 30 more than nearest rivals PSG.