Sane ends City
MAN CITY MONACO 5 3
TWO of Europe’s most attack-minded teams turned on a Champions League thriller at the Etihad last night.
Manchester City stormed back from 3-2 down to beat Monaco 5-3 in a breathless first leg of the last 16 tie that had simply everything.
Late goals from John Stones and Leroy Sane gave City a two-goal advantage but they will not be too confident of reaching the last eight after the French League leaders lived up to Pep Guardiola’s pre-match billing as Europe’s goal kings on a night of thrills and controversy.
Radamel Falcao and Sergio Aguero both hit doubles while French wonderboy Klyian Mbappe and Raheem Sterling also got on the score sheet.
Falcao also had a penalty saved while Aguero should have been awarded a penalty when tripped by Monaco keeper Danijel Subasic in the first half as both teams threw caution to the wind.
City were 1-0 up, 2-1 down, drew level at 2-2, fell behind 3-2 before equalising with Aguero’s second.
Stones and Sane then added the fourth and fifth goals to cap a madcap game.
Mbappe showed why he is being hailed as the new Thierry Henry with two brilliant runs – and a goal.
The first run was jointly ended by Bacary Sagna and Stones, and the second left City defender Nicolas Otamendi on his backside.
Sane blazed over early and the biggest surprise was it took 26 minutes for a goal to come. At first Sterling looked offside as he slid home Sane’s low cross after the German youngster had exchanged passes with David Silva. Replays, however, showed he was not.
It was no surprise however when Monaco equalised – or that it came from the rejuvenated Falcao.
English fans never saw the best of him in miserable spells across town at Old Trafford and then at Chelsea but he has rediscovered his mojo at Monaco this season.
His 23rd goal of the season came from a superb diving header at the back post from Fabinho’s right wing cross.
But accusing fingers were pointed at Willy Caballero.
The City keeper’s poor clearance was cut out by Fabinho who exchanged passes with Bernardo Silva before crossing. The game erupted in controversy when Aguero was clearly tripped by Subasic’s outstretched leg as he dribbled round him.
But referee Antonio Lahoz stunned just about everyone in the stadium by booking the Argentinian for diving when a penalty and a red card for Subasic was expected.
To rub salt into City’s wound Monaco took the lead before the break thanks to some dreadful defending.
Fabinho chipped a freekick into the City box and Otamendi inexplicably did not track Mbappe’s run and the teenager underlined his promise by rifling home an unstoppable shot.
If the first half was breathless the second period was even better in terms of entertainment and controversy. Having denied City a penalty in the first half, Lahoz then stunned them early in the second half by awarding a spot-kick against the home side when Otamendi challenged Falcao as he attempted to convert Benjamin Mendy’s cross.
But after a long delay, as Lahoz waved away heated City protests, Caballero made amends for his earlier mistake by saving Falcao’s poorly struck penalty.
At the other end, Subasic’s mistake gifted City an equaliser when he let Aguero’s shot slip through his hands.
But moments later the match turned again thanks to the brilliance of Falcao.
A swift counter attack left him one-on-one with Stones and he cut inside the City defender – too easily for most City fans’ liking – before chipping over the advancing Caballero.
It was some way to make amends for his penalty miss. Aguero though put City back level at 3-3 with a superb shot before Stones turned home Kevin De Bruyne’s corner which had been flicked on by Yaya Toure. Then Sane tapped in Aguero’s pass to give Guardiola hope of preserving his proud record of never having failed to reach the semi-finals in this competition.
But the second leg in Monaco on March 15 is going to be some game.
MAN CITY (4-1-4-1): Caballero; Sagna, Otamendi, Stones, Fernandinho (Zabaleta 62); Toure; Sterling (Navas 89), De Bruyne, Silva, Sane; Aguero (Fernando 87).
Booked: Aguero, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Zabaleta. Goals: Sterling 26, Aguero 58, 71, Stones 77, Sane 82.
MONACO (4-2-3-1): Subasic; Sidibe, Glik, Raggi, Mendy; Fabinho, Bakayoko (Dirar 88); B Silva (Moutinho 85), Lemar, Mbappe (Germain 79); Falcao.
Booked: Glik, Sidibe, Bakayoko, Falcao, Silva, Fabinho. Goals: Falcao 32, 61 Mbappe 40.
Referee: A Lahoz (Spain).