MAN CITY 2 – 2 Ajax – PLAYER RATINGS
7 Nov
Hart - Perhaps went to ground a fraction early for the first Ajax goal but that’s being very critical. Helpless for the second and then made a terrific stop in the second half to deny De Jong his hat-trick - 7
Zabaleta - A warrior both in defence and attack. Had some chances to score as he bombed forward with regularity, but sadly couldn’t take them. Defensively excellent and a constant source of danger down the right. My man of the match - 8
Kompany - More signs that he is gradually returning to the form he showed towards the end of the last campaign. Read the game well and used his physical strength to thwart a number of Ajax attacks - 7
Nastasic - Should not have conceded the corner which led to the first goal but he was otherwise elegant and composed. Very comfortable in possession and picked out a few threatening forward passes - 7
Clichy - Just like in the first game, a lack of support on the left meant he was often outnumbered as Ajax poured forward but he defended solidly and still managed to offer an outlet in an attacking sense - 7
Garcia - Made his first start after returning from injury and didn’t look anywhere near match fit. The game passed him by as Ajax swarmed through our midfield. His passing was poor and he has not yet shown any ability to read a game - 4.5
Barry - Struggled in the first half to gain a foothold in the match but improved after the break and was his usual dominant midfield self in the second period. Kept play ticking over - 6.5
Y. Touré - Scored a sublime goal to give the Blues hope, using his body strength to hold off his defender before showing his finess to turn and volley home. Otherwise, he was underwhelming. Sloppy in possession and there was no incisiveness or purpose about his play. Failed to track his De Jong for Ajax’s second goal - 5
Nasri - A disappointing showing from the Frenchman as he failed to impose himself on the game and slowed down our attacks with his hesitancy in possession. He’s a hugely talented footballer but must learn to take fewer touches on the ball - 5.5
Tévez - Plenty of effort and he tried to press Ajax’s defenders but there was not enough of an end product. Dropped deeper as the game wore on which left Aguero a touch isolated - 6.5
Aguero - Looked back to somewhere near his majestic best. After a series of sluggish displays following his return from injury, he seemed sharper, constantly closing down defenders and working the channels. Lost his footing a number of times but took his goal clinically - 7.5
Subs
Balotelli - Gave City a sense of drive and purpose. His hold-up play, passing and workrate were excellent and he ought to have been awarded a penalty at the end - 7
Džeko - Couldn’t get involved in the game to a large extent. Won a couple of flick-ons - 6
Kolarov - Produced the cross which Aguero turned home but the goal was ruled out for offside - No time to mark
Agree with most of this except the Nasri score. He was my man of the match. Worked hard, tracked back and was the centre of our attacking play. Scored very harshly for me! I also woyld mark Barry down- the effort was there but his passing was often when things broke down for us.
Answer this one but pertains to most comments here. I agree with the author about Nasri. He holds onto the ball far too much and for too long. If you want to break a fast flowing move forward then give it to Nasri. In my opinion you can count the number of good games he has had for the club on 3 fingers. He has been given the chance to boss games since Silva’s injury and he is just not up to it. Another expensive flop in my book!
Nasri’s rating baffles me, I thought he was outstanding. As for Barry, that is expected when he plays 2 games in a matter of 3 days.
Don’t agree with your ratings. For me Clichy , Tev & Nasri were our best players. Zab was average, beaten to easily by babel in first half
I’ll say it even though it is obvious and not related to the game itself. Why the well did we let De Jong walk out of this club????? Alright, he was never going to win a fair play award but he had a winning mentality and was a team player. Baffling decision.
This was his contract year pretty sure, and he became unnecessary. Milner can easily handle that role, and actually contribute to the attack. Not sure why we needed to buy two CMs to replace him though, and no clue why we bought Sinclair if hes never going to get a shot. He must really suck in training
Thought Nasri played really well. How Barry gets 6.5 I dont know. First half he was as bad as Garcia. Chasing shadows….his passing was inept at best. Yes he worked hard….but other than that I disagree.
Also for me, Mancini slightly to blame. He is getting like Pearc by making substitutions too late in the game (bar Garcia of course.) He brought Koalrov on and within 2 mins he had put 2 threatening balls into the box- one which Dzeko got his feet mixed up with and another was cleared at last ditch attempt. 10 mins to go was too late. I would have brought Sinclair on too. Further to this point, why take Tevez off? He played brilliantly again. At times you could read his mind thinking ‘Why is no-one making any runs? Why am I the only one working?’ – Aguero was sluggish and as a professional footballer you can be excused for slipping over once….but not 4 times, it was ridiculous. He should have been taken off, not Tevez.
Tevez, Zaba and Nasri my men of the match
Aguero is such an amazing player to me, we are so lucky he’s at City. Not only is he one of the best talents in the world, hes a great teammate and he runs and works his arse off, especially did in this game (Tevez does too).