Manchester City completed a remarkable turnaround in their Champions League fortunes by sending valiant hosts Roma crashing out of the competition at a chilly Stadio Olimpico this evening.
The Italians were the better side for an hour of the contest, but couldn’t quite find a way through Manchester City’s defences and were punished to the fullest by their Premier League counterparts.
Roma
Morgan De Sanctis – 7 – Unfortunate
The Roma goalkeeper made a couple of smart stops prior to Manchester City’s opener from Samir Nasri, which he could do little about. Exposed by his defence when the team were pushing hard to get back into the game.
Maicon – 7.5 – Passionate
Good showing against his former club, especially when shuttling forward. Proved there’s still life in the old dog yet.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – 6 – Nonchalant
On-loan Newcastle man displayed a relaxed approach to his defensive duties, but became too laid back at times when selling team-mate Keita short on at least two occasions.
Kostas Manolas – 6 – Battler
Enjoyed the rough-and-tumble of battle and was also denied by a mixture of Joe Hart and the upright at the other end. Unfortunately lost his focus later and failed to track Zabaleta’s run for City’s second strike.
Jose Holebas – 7 – Terrier-like
Greek international Holebas provided a constant outlet on the left flank, but got very little change out of Pablo Zabaleta throughout the entire night.
Radja Nainggolan – 7.5 – Tough
Kept on going for 90 minutes and offered great support to the back four. Very few passes went astray and he also managed to get a decent strike on target during the second period.
Miralem Pjanic – 6 – Ineffective
Showed some nice touches on the ball, but his end product was conspicuous by its absent.
Seydou Keita – 6 – Quiet
Didn’t effect proceedings a great deal at either end of the field. Wasn’t helped by numerous passes sent his way when already under pressure from the opposition.
Adem Ljajic – 5.5 – Frustrating
Two-goal hero from Roma’s last game displayed some skills on occasion, but his shooting was wayward to say the least. Rarely threatened.
Francesco Totti – 6.5 – Faded
Talisman Totti began quite well and got involved effectively in his team’s build-up play during the first half. Disappeared a bit in the second before being substituted.
Gervinho – 7.5 – Everywhere
Ivorian star Gervinho seemed to be constantly on the move and gave City’s back-line plenty to worry about. Had two good shots stopped by the inspired Hart, but was guilty of wastefulness at other times.
Substitutes
Juan Manuel Iturbe (67 mins) – 6.5
Mattia Destro (70 mins) – 5.5
Alessandro Florenzi (79 mins) – N/A
Manchester City
Joe Hart – 8.5 – Dependable
Hart made a series of saves, including a couple of real world-class level. Fingertip stops from Gervinho and Manolas stood out.
Pablo Zabaleta – 7.5 – Solid
Argentine full-back offered no encouragement to the ever-willing Holebas and rounded off a successful night with his side’s second killer goal.
Martin Demichelis – 6 – Strange
A confusing performance from experienced defender Demichelis going from the crazy to the sublime. He often failed to close opposition forwards down, thus allowing them to shoot on sight, but still made a vital block towards the end.
Eliaquim Mangala – 5.5 – Struggling
Still appears uncomfortable in his relatively new surroundings at City. His marking was atrocious and he was lucky that it didn’t cost his side.
Gael Clichy – 7 – Smart
The Frenchman looked competent throughout, both at the back and going forward.
Jesus Navas – 7.5 – Promising
Spaniard Navas was lively in the first half, while beating defenders at will and sending in numerous inviting crosses. Quieter second period, but good signs for the City faithful.
Fernandinho – 7 – Boss
Played deep alongside Fernando in the first half and kept matters ticking over. Pushed further forward after the break and contributed well.
Fernando – 6.5 – Disciplined
Did a good job sitting deep and winning tackles. Allowed Fernandinho to push forward later in the contest.
James Milner – 8 – Versatile
Milner popped up alternately on the left wing and through the middle on several occasions, while being smartly denied by goalkeeper De Sanctis twice. Provided an added dimension to City’s attacking play.
Samir Nasri – 7.5 – Vital
Nasri looked dangerously on the right-hand side in the first 45 minutes, prior to appearing on the left after an hour to thrash home a fantastic opening goal off the post and beyond a despairing De Sanctis.
Edin Dzeko – 5.5 – Incomplete
Dzeko worked hard generally, but struggled to make an impression overall. Ballooned one effort over the bar and lacked control in the final third.
Substitutes
David Silva (67 mins) – 5.5
Stevan Jovetic (78 mins) – N/A
Aleksandar Kolarov (89 mins) – N/A
