El cuadro de Guardiola acabó
la fase de grupos con otro triunfo que elimina al de Villas-Boas de Europa
El City cumplió con el trámite
ante el Marsella. Sin adornarse, corrió la cortina de la fase de grupos con el
triunfo que pidió Guardiola en la previa (3-0). Uno de Ferran Torres, siempre a
punto, uno de Agüero, que reapareció con el mismo instinto de siempre y otro de
Sterling. Tres destellos para anular a su rival, al que no le dio ni para
llegar a la Europa League. Se jugó todo en la última fecha, en el Etihad, casi
una manera de inmolarse. A Villas-Boas le toca trabajar para volver a la élite.
Sin que fuera un equipo de
circunstancias, afloró la sensación de que el City no se jugaba nada en el
Etihad. Guardiola le dio la alternativa a Steffen en el arco, suplente habitual
de Ederson. Y en su debut dejó buena nota de su seguridad, nada que desdeñar
para alguien que no juega cada fin de semana. Aké también tuvo su turno,
ubicado en la zurda, pese a que el equipo tuvo amplitud por el costado derecho,
mucho más frecuentado por un incansable Walker.
Al protagonismo del City le
faltó pegada en el primer tiempo. Embotelló al Marsella, dominó a placer pero
no inquietó a Mandanda. Solo se rescató un remate de Laporte con la testa y
otro de Mahrez. A Pep, sin embargo, le preocupó mucho más que Eric Garcia se
retirase antes hora, aquejado de unas molestias que le impidieron seguir. La
peor de las noticias en una noche en la que si algo se esperaba evitar era una
lesión. Solo eso ya era motivo justificado para la mueca del de Santpedor.
El Marsella jugó con
disciplina, consciente de sus limitaciones, abrigado en Manchester. Aguantar,
esa era la cuestión. Y que el Porto le hiciera un favor en Grecia. Se cumplió
durante un buen rato, hasta que el City dijo basta. Hasta que Ferran Torres
recogió una jugada de Mahrez para poner en ventaja a su equipo. Mazazo para un
rival al que no se le puede reprochar nada porque no se dejó ir ni le perdió la
cara al choque, siempre con sus limitados argumentos.
No le alcanzó para empatar,
porque Agüero salió a tiempo para reconciliarse con la pelota. Tras un saque de
esquina rematado por Ake a bocajarro, el ariete apareció para empujar y
sentenciar a un Marsella que no pudo más. Fue tan negativa su fase de grupos
que era demasiado pedir ir a casa del City a jugarse un lugar en la Europa
League. Al final encajó el 3-0 de Sterling, que acompañó a la red un despeje
desafortunado de Álvaro González. En febrero llega la hora de la verdad para el
City.
FICHA DEL PARTIDO
Manchester City, 3
Steffen; Walker, Eric Garcia
(Stones, 28’), Laporte, Aké; Fernandinho, Gündogan (Sterling, 45’), Bernardo
Silva; Mahrez (Agüero, 66’), Foden, Ferran Torres
Entrenador: Pep Guardiola
Marsella, 0
Mandanda; Sakai, Álvaro
González, Balerdi, Nagatomo; Kamara (Rongier, 66’), Sanson, Gueye (gueye, 76’);
Thauvin (Ake, 75’), Payet (Cuisance, 66’), Germain (Benedetto, 76’)
Entrenador: André Villas-Boas
Goles: 1-0, Ferran Torres
(48’), 2-0, Agüero (77’), 3-0, Sterling (90’)
Árbitro: Halil Umut Meler.
The Norwegian striker, 25, is preparing for Saturday lunchtime's tasty-looking clash with Tottenham - with both teams fresh from big wins in the opening weekend.Erling Haaland arrived at Man City training in his new £350,000 FerrariHaaland's new £350,000 Ferrari 12Cilindri can reach a staggering 211mphHaaland cruised into training ahead of Man City's clash with Spurs on SaturdayAnd Haala...
Paxten Aaronson completes blockbuster Colorado RapidsPaxten Aaronson has officially joined the Colorado Rapids from the Bundesliga's Eintracht Frankfurt after a breakout season on loan at UtretchPaxten Aaronson has completed a $7 million move to Colorado, the club announced Thursday afternoon. The USMNT midfielder has penned a five-year contract, and will occupy a designated player spot for the Ra...
[(Strasbourg) Strength]: 1. RC Strasbourg Alsace started with a 1-0 away win over FC Metz in the last Ligue 1 game. Facing FC Nantes in this game, they are motivated to take 3 points.2. RC Strasbourg Alsace were unbeaten with 2 wins and 2 draws in the last 4 games, showing fit form. They secured a 0-0 draw with Brondby IF in the last Conference League match.3. RC Strasbourg Alsace recorded 2 wins,...
[(Juventus FC) Strength]: 1. Juventus FC are undoubtedly motivated to start the new season with a home win in this game.2. Jonathan David scored first in the last warm-up match against Atalanta BC, helping the team secure a win.3. In the last two warm-up games, Juventus FC beat strong Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC, showing outstanding form.4. Juventus FC were unbeaten with 4 wins and 1 draw in...
[(AFC Ajax) Strength]: 1. AFC Ajax drew 2-2 with Go Ahead Eagles away from home in the last league match. They have achieved an unbeaten record of one win and one draw in two league games of the new season, maintaining a stable form.2. AFC Ajax's attack has maintained their excellent pre-season form, scoring 11 goals in the last 5 matches, with an average of over 2 goals per game.3. AFC Ajax's hom...
[(Atalanta BC) Strength]: 1. This match is the first round of the new Serie A season. Atalanta BC, playing at home, will strive for a win to get off to a good start, and their fighting spirit is beyond doubt.2. In a recent friendly match against Juventus FC, Lazar Samardzic scored a goal, demonstrating an excellent form.3. Atalanta BC have scored a total of 8 goals and conceded 11 ones in their la...
[(Udinese Calcio) Strength]: 1. Arthur Atta scored the opening goal for the team in the recent Coppa Italia match. He officially joined the club during the offseason, with Udinese Calcio spending 8 million euros to secure his services.2. Udinese Calcio won 2-0 over Carrarese Calcio 1908 in the first Coppa Italia match, welcoming the new season with good performances.3. Udinese Calcio scored 2 goal...
[(Villarreal) Strength]: 1. Villarreal started the new season with an away victory in the opening round, currently sitting near the top of the league table with 3 points. After finishing 5th in La Liga last season and securing a spot in European football, the Yellow Submarine aim to maintain their strong form this campaign. Playing at home in the Estadio de la Ceramica against Girona, the team are...
[(IK Sirius) Strength]: 1. IK Sirius have recently achieved three consecutive victories in all competitions and are in good form. In the last Svenska Cupen match, they defeated Pitea IF 5-0 and advanced to the group stage.[(IK Sirius) Weakness]: 1. IK Sirius currently ranked 12th in the league table. Facing 2nd-placed Hammarby, IK Sirius, who have been performing poorly, have little chance of winn...
[(Osasuna) Strength]: 1. Osasuna lost in the first round of the league and suffered a poor start. This time playing at home, Osasuna will strive for a win to boost morale and are highly motivated.2. Osasuna are strong at home, winning all of their previous four home games.[(Osasuna) Neutral]: 1. Osasuna have scored 6 goals and conceded 8 ones in their last 5 matches. The team's offensive performan...
- 1 Ruben Amorim gives cryptic response when asked about Andre Onana returning to starting XI for Fulham clash after Altay Bayindir blunder handed Arsenal victory
- 2 Transfer rumors, news: Arsenal could turn to Lyon's Fofana
- 3 TIPS - Cerezo Osaka VS Vissel Kobe
- 4 TIPS - Gamba Osaka VS Yokohama FC
- 5 TIPS - Schalke 04 VS VfL Bochum
- 6 BVB, Monaco and Ajax go for unwanted West Ham midfielder Alvarez
- 7 ngland cricket legend’s granddaughter stuns in bikini
- 8 TIPS - Eintracht Frankfurt VS Werder Bremen
- 9 'Victory Bodes Well for Future' – Gasperini Delighted with Roma’s Opening Day Win
- 10 Lamela explains retirement decision: It started 11 years ago...