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Manchester City will finish in first place in Group C, but Porto, who also qualified for the round of 16, were limited to their first goalless draw in the group stage of the Champions League.
Having made seven changes from Burnley’s 5-0 win on Saturday, it took Man City a while to get to their feet at the Estadio do Dragao, not having their first shot until the 37th minute when Raheem Sterling had a shot cleared from the Zaidu Sanusi line.
They had more clear chances after halftime and thought they had secured three points when Gabriel Jesus (80) peeked home from another Agustín Marchesin save later, but VAR ruled out the goal for Rodri’s offside in preparation. .
Group C
It is the second time Manchester City have failed to score this season, having been held back by Tottenham just over a week ago, but they maintained a fourth consecutive clean sheet in the Champions League and maintained their undefeated European streak.
A point was also suitable for both teams on the night, with Pep Guardiola’s team securing first place in Group C ahead of next Wednesday’s final games, while Porto have also guaranteed their place in the knockout round.
How Man City topped their Champions League group
Gabriel Jesus scored a late goal offside
It was a first half that will not last long in the memory. There were only four shots between the two sides in the opening period and it was a classic situation for Man City, dominating possession with Porto sitting deep, waiting for the counterattack.
But it was actually City who could have scored at halftime in the 22nd minute. Porto came close on one end, with Ederson clearing a Diogo Leite header before Fernandinho pushed City aside on a marvelous team play. Phil Foden’s eventual pass to Ferran Torres was wonderful, but Marchesin was willing to deny it with his foot extended.
Sterling was the closest to Man City in the final 15 minutes of the half. Marchesin cleared Bernardo Silva’s rabona pass to him, but Sterling couldn’t control the ball. Then a sensational defense from Chelsea borrower Malang Sarr saw him push the ball out of Sterling’s path with a push from behind, with the striker looking to get past the goal.
The England international finally made the first shot of the half in the 37th minute. Man City recycled a cleared corner with Sterling chasing the ball down the left flank. He swiftly passed Otavio Monteiro before sending a low shot through a packed area, but his effort was kicked by the waiting Sanusi.
It was a similar story in the second half, but Man City had clearer opportunities. Both Sterling and Torres were close in the 58th minute, and it all started with a visionary pass from Foden to spot Sterling’s run. However, Marchesin ran out of his line to quell the latter’s effort before the fumble landed on Torres. However, he was entertained and Wilson Manafa came in to cut the ball out of his way.
Again, it took Marchesin incredible luck and a goalkeeper to keep Manchester City out soon after. Fernandinho threw a ball in the face of the goal, with Sterling waiting to hook it. Rubén Dias was at the goal line, but could only send it back when Torres de waiting’s shot went straight to the goalkeeper, who pushed him to point-blank range.
Marchesin was once again Porto’s savior when the clock passed 75 minutes. Silva did a superb job down the right wing, putting Sanusi on the ground before cutting the area, but his shot went straight for the goalkeeper. Not long after, Garcia tried his luck, but again, Marchesin stopped him at point blank range.
Man City thought they had achieved victory at the 80 minute mark. Silva threw a wonderful cross into the area, which Jesús nodded towards the goal. However, Marchesin pushed him to the crossbar and he bounced down the right side of the line for the goalie. But the City forward was on the lookout to send the ball home past Marchesin’s outstretched hand.
Raheem Sterling had several chances to score late in the first half
However, the VAR intervened with a review and warned that Rodri – who had yielded Silva before his center – was offside when he received the ball and the goal was disallowed.
Man City kept pushing for another goal in a frantic final minutes, but one point was enough for them on the night.
Man of the match – Agustín Marchesin
It takes a lot to stop Man City from scoring, but Marchesin had the performance of his life Tuesday to do just that. He made stop after stop as Guardiola’s team scrambled for goals, timing their bursts off the line to perfection at certain points.
He was particularly impressive at point-blank range, denying Torres and Garcia later, and made a total of five saves in total. Was there a bit of luck in the Porto draw? Sure, but Marchesin was so close to second that helped lead Porto to the knockout stages.
What the experts said
Paul dickov saying Soccer special: “Porto was stubborn defensively and City didn’t create much until Gabriel Jesús came in. Marchesin also made four or five great saves. But City is done: some players can rest against Marseille with their sights set on the derby Manchester.. “
Opt for statistics
- Manchester City have kept four clean sheets in a row in the UEFA Champions League for the first time, as many as they managed in the group stage in their last two seasons combined (4).
- Pep Guardiola has seen his team draw 0-0 in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 59 games from zero to zero against Shakhtar Donetsk in February 2015 when he was coach of Bayern Munich.
- Manchester City made 18 shots today, the most unmarked goal attempts in a UEFA Champions League game.
Whats Next?
Manchester City will be in action on Saturday when they host Fulham in the Premier League; start 3pm. They will play at home again next Wednesday when they host Marseille in their last match of the Champions group stage; Start 20:00 h.
Porto host Tondela in the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday night before traveling to Olympiakos next week; Start 20:00 h.
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