Raheem rounds off super fightback by 10-man City

instead passed it to Sane just on the edge of the area. He was dispossessed by a quickthinking David Silva who squared the ball for Aguero to slot home.

At that stage there was no sign of the turmoil to come. City were in control. Indeed they could have had at least three goals before the break.

It was one-way traffic with the visitors dominating possession and Domenico Tedesco’s decision to string five across his back line surrendered the midfield to City and particularly the wide areas.

But two controversial decisions turned the match on its head before the break as Schalke were awarded two penalties.

Daniel Caligiuri had been thoroughly tormented by Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan early on but it was his shot from just outside the area which struck Otamendi’s arm as he tried to block it.

Referee Carlos Del Cerro initially pointed for a corner but with the Schalke players surrounding him, he eventually decided to consult VAR. After a three-minute delay he awarded a penalty, Bentaleb keeping his cool to slot home in the 38th minute.

Seven minutes later Schalke had another when Fernandinho had his arms around defender Sane’s hips clearly enough to award a spot-kick which Bentaleb again slotted powerfully past Ederson.

The controversial end to the half certainly set the tie alight but things got worse for City. In the 68th minute Otamendi tussled with Guido Burgstaller near the halfway line and picked up a second booking.

Guardiola sacrificed David Silva in order to get Vincent Kompany on.

Fahrmann; Caligiuri, Bruma, Sane, Nastasic, Oczipka; Serdar, Bentaleb, McKennie (Skrzybski 78), Mendyl (Burgstaller 65); Uth (Harit 87). Subs: Nubel, Rudy, Matondo, Kutucu.

Ederson; Walker, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Laporte; De Bruyne (Zinchenko 87), Gundogan, D Silva (Kompany 70); Sterling, Aguero (Sane 78), B Silva. Subs: Muric, Danilo, Mahrez, Foden.