1st Team

Manchester City - OM (3-0) : Hope held for a half

Analyse
Champions League
Posted by
OM.fr
On Wednesday 9 December 2020 at 09:52
The Olympiens had to do a better result than the Olympiakos to take third place in group C. But OM lost the race on the City pitch and finished last in their group.

A MODIFIED ELEVEN

André Villas-Boas had announced one or two changes in his starting team at a press conference the day before the match. In the end, there were more. Amavi, injured, was replaced by Nagatomo. Balerdi was preferred to Caleta-Car in central defence. Gueye replaced Rongier in the middle. Payet played in front with Germain on the left and Thauvin on the right.


FIRST HALF: OM TRIED FOR THE FEAT

While in the other match of the group, Porto quickly opened the scoring with a penalty from Otavio, the Olympians held on for the first 45 minutes of the game. Guardiola's men were in control of the ball and had the main chances thanks to Mahrez, twice, and Laporte, whose header went over Mandanda's goal.

OM held firm and played a clear counter-attack. Payet believed the score was open... Served by Sanson, the Reunionese found the way to the net with a beautiful shot but the flag of the assistant referee rose to signal an offside position. At the end of the period, Germain, Sanson and Gueye had the opportunity to open the score but they failed to do so. However, the last five minutes of the half were to the advantage of the Marseille team.

 

SECOND HALF: CITY KILL HOPE

As soon as they returned from the changing rooms, the Manchester City players reduced OM's hopes of qualification to a minimum. Mahrez entered the area, in a duel with Germain, the Olympian touched the ball and involuntarily gave it to Torres who deceived Mandanda.


After the hour of play, André Villas-Boas made two changes, Rongier and Cuisance entered in place of Kamara and Payet. And l'OM went from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 in a diamond shape. Three other changes were made in the last quarter of an hour: Aké, Strootman and Benedetto replaced Germain, Gueye and Thauvin. On the first corner after these changes, Manchester City doubled the lead. From a corner, Sterling put on a header that Mandanda had pushed away, but Agüero followed up well and pushed the ball into the net. Sterling scored a third goal for Manchester City in injury time.
 
OM thus finishes in fourth position in group C with 3 points equal to Olympiakos. The Greeks qualify for the Europa League on goal difference.

 

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