Daily Mirror

City needed a Silva bullet to beat Germans as Pep’s prediction of ‘suffering’ nearly came true HOFF & RUNNING

- FROM DAVID McDONNELL @DiscoMirro­r

THEY left it late, very late, but Manchester City’s Champions League campaign is up and running.

Pep Guardiola said his players may need to “suffer” in the group stage in order to fulfil their potential in the knockout stage, and that was never more evident than here. With three minutes left, City were being held by tournament debutants Hoffenheim and staring at the prospect of a solitary point after two games

in arguably the easiest group in the competitio­n. But David Silva, City’s outstandin­g performer as he has been on so many occasions, sealed the win by plundering a winner.

Bernardo Silva curled the ball in and Silva got to it ahead of dithering defender Stefan Posch, before steering a clinical left-foot finish into the corner.

It was no more than City deserved for their dominance, as well as the injustice of failing to be awarded a clear penalty with 18 minutes left when Leroy Sane was brought down by Hoffenheim keeper Oliver Baumann. After City’s shock defeat at home to Lyon,

Guardiola recognised the importance of winning here, despite the significan­ce of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, as star striker Sergio Aguero led the attack despite concerns over a foot injury.

And with one victory from nine European games, Hoffenheim went into the clash as huge underdogs. But they made the perfect start, scoring after just 44 seconds.

City’s defence was carved open as Ishak Belfodil ran through a yawning chasm in their defence and slotted the ball coolly past Ederson.

Guardiola was immediatel­y out of his seat in the dug-out to

berate his side for such a sloppy start, with City producing a swift response by levelling seven minutes later.

David Silva split the home defence with a sublime ball through to Sane, who in turn found Aguero, who converted from close range for his sixth goal of the season.

Raheem Sterling should have made it 2-1 when he embarked on a surging goal-bound run in the 15th minute, but the City winger’s effort was blocked by Baumann.

Guardiola cut a frustrated figure, with his side unable to turn their dominance once back on level terms into the

hard currency of a second goal to establish a lead their play deserved.

The City boss received a talking-to from referee Damir Skomina for straying from his technical area too frequently and complainin­g at perceived injustices from the officials.

Aguero nearly made it 2-1 in the 34th minute with a delightful chipped effort that looked to be curling under the bar, but Baumann dived at full stretch to turn the ball away.

At the other end, Aymeric Laporte, deployed at left-back with a view to Guardiola playing him there at Liverpool, almost gifted a second goal to

Belfodil with an under-hit backpass, but was rescued by Ederson.

The Brazilian almost undid that good work after the break when he raced from his line to head clear a long goal-kick from his opposite number but missed the ball completely, although Sane was on hand to cover for his keeper.

In a bid to make the decisive breakthrou­gh, Guardiola changed formation, switching to a back-three and bringing on central defender John Stones to play in midfield, as well as Bernardo Silva and Riyad Mahrez.

City should have been awarded a penalty in the 72nd

minute when Sane took the ball past Baumann and was felled by the outstretch­ed arms of the Hoffenheim keeper, but Skomina saw no foul.

Guardiola was incensed at the decision, racing down touchline to vent his anger and having to be hauled back by assistant boss Mikel Arteta, before throwing his jacket off furiously.

But City secured the win their play and endeavour merited with the double Silva contributi­on, although Guardiola, pumped-up and full of rage, could not resist berating the fourth official at the final whistle.

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 ??  ?? HUG LIFE David Silva is mobbed after his goal sealed the vital victory
HUG LIFE David Silva is mobbed after his goal sealed the vital victory
 ??  ?? SILVA LINING David Silva looks to the skies as he celebrates the City winner
SILVA LINING David Silva looks to the skies as he celebrates the City winner
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