MAN CITY 1 – 3 Bayern Munich – PLAYER RATINGS
3 Oct
Hart - Will be bitterly disappointed with his role in the first and third goals. Didn’t move his feet quickly enough to cover Ribéry’s long-range effort and then beaten far too easily by Robben later on at his near post. A couple of strong stops near the end, but questions will continue about his extended iffy form. Time for Pantilimon? - 4
Richards - Perhaps included because his physicality might have upset Ribéry, but the winger was a class or two above. Richards either stood off the Frenchman, allowing him far too much time and space, or he charged in and committed fouls aplenty. There is no subtlety to Richards’s defending and Ribéry was too quick and skilful to be cowered - 4
Kompany - Usually such an authoritative figure, he was troubled by the intelligent movement of Muller. Dragged out of position on occasions, he contributed to an uncertainness about our defence – 5
Nastasic – Very much like his central defensive partner, he couldn’t impose himself. Bayern’s attacking players were so vibrant, both on and off the ball, and Nastasic will be glad it’s over – 5
Clichy – Our best player in the first half as he was the only one to show an eagerness to press, close down and to anticipate danger. Found it harder after the break when Robben tormented him by twisting and turning at pace, and Clichy inexplicably switched off to allow Muller to score the away side’s second – 5
Y. Touré - It’s hard to single anyone out after such a collective disappointment, but Yaya’s work ethic was atrocious. Couldn’t dominate possession, as he so often does domestically, but instead of pressing Bayern and trying to disrupt their rhythm, he was a passenger, failing to track runners and passing on defensive responsibilities to those around him - 4
Fernandinho - Culpable for the third goal when he tried to dribble out from midfield instead of looking for a pass. Struggled throughout to get tight to the flurry of Bayern’s movement and chased shadows at times - 5
Navas - Had a five-minute spell at the start of the second half when he stuck wide and ran directly at the opposition, but he couldn’t make any meaningful impact. Didn’t help Richards enough defensively and was crowded out more often than not when he received the ball. A total absence of a left-foot forces him to turn round and invariably pass it back towards our defence - 4
Nasri - Worked harder than many in terms of pressing high up the pitch but was culpable of giving away possession far too easily. Tried overly ambitious passes or needless runs with the ball, none of which worked - 5
Aguero - Did the running of two or three in the first half to compensate for his teammates’ lack of effort, but he had no luck. Fleetingly involved due to our inability to win, and then retain, the ball and he was taken off in the second half - 5
Džeko - That he was picked ahead of Negredo, with Jovetic not even on the bench, was staggering. Contributed a nothing performance, not working hard enough to pressurise Bayern’s backline, and his appalling first touch resulted in us losing the ball whenever it was played up to him - 4
Subs
Negredo – Very unfortunate not to start alongside Aguero, and showed his presence when he came on. His first touch wasn’t always great but his movement was and he scored a fine, curling effort to give the scoreline a presentable and flattered shine – 6
Milner - Bayern’s intensity had cooled by the time Milner was introduced but he worked hard to support Clichy and then drive us forward with purposeful running – 6
Siva – Made a difference with his passing, being able to give it to a blue shirt, unlike so many of his colleagues. Hit the bar with a free-kick and it’s great to see him return - 6
Never seen Clichy play worse for us. He looked tired and unfit, something Clichy never does. Went walkabout for their second goal and was turned far too easy on several occasions. I love Gael but honestly, Kolarov should have started.
Ratings and comments spot on. Poor team selection, wrong tactical set up, poor energy ( especially Yaya again) and yet strangely we only lost because of outrageous individual mistakes. A big shake up is needed, starting with Rodwell and Milner in centre midfield and Lopez for Navas. Recalling Lescott wouldn’t be a bad idea either for as you say Nastasic didn’t ‘impose’ himself, but he never does he always tries to get by very quietly and that isn’t good enough
Clichy, Hart and Nastastic were atrocious. Richards not much better.
No doubt you all will post that Kolarov was the problem against Bayern…!!
I thought MP might pull a striker for another midfielder at the 30 minute mark. Then, I was convinced he would make this change at halftime. Instead, he waited until the 70th minute or so. We looked much better as soon as he did. Lesson learned, I’m sure.
Bayern were brilliant and made us look like idiots!
The End
My thoughts and ratings on the evening we were outclassed:
Hart – 2 errors no dispute. I wd still hve in goal for england but like to see some pressure from Pants for City
Richards – love Micah but massive call if Zab not injured. Yes, he let Ribery cut in but no more blame than others
Clichy – texted a mate b4 match to say that I was much happier with GC than AK defensively. Let down.
Kompany – captain & leader but powerless 2nite. He looked as confused as anyone by no striker & a slick fluid midfield 6 from Bayern
Nasty – no composure. he looks to have lost confidence. Hacking the ball aimlessly up field is not him but Bayern made him do it
Fernandinho – the jury is out. We paid 2 much, tis clear. I hve seen him play and tell everyone he is doing the unseen unheralded stuff. other times, genuinely anonymous. Don’t mention the “Barry” word
Yaya – christ, been bangin the goals in and some signs of being our midfield general, creative, powerful etc. But oh, wow, game passed him by and had lead in legs. we need him 2 get involved in games like this – bayern awesome but he shd be mixing it
Navas – tipped him as best of our signings pre-season but think he’s in gear 2. He has pace to burn and has shown he can beat a man and cross decently but think he still looks short of real real confidence to let rip and take it on. Again, Bayern were great, but he made wrong decisions and couldn’t influence the game.
Nasri – been bang on it recently but unable to get involved cos we couldn’t get the ball. The ball winners didn’t win the ball enuf for him but he did little with what he did get
Dzeko – pre-season/Newcastle Edin has gone. I somehow hve always wanted him to do well but he frustrates too often. No ball stuck, muscled off it I’m afraid. Think MP shd have sacrificed him and got an xtra in midfield much earlier
Aguero – chased down the back line best he could. zero service. no support truly.
Silva – I know just back from injury but shd hve been on earlier, no doubt. We kept ball better when he was on tho I know their big guns had exited.
Milner – gave real energy when he came on, forced Neuer into good save. All too late but can hold head up high (ish)
Negredo – fantastic goal. Think he must start.
This might be a one-off match – we were outplayed and outfought but Bayern were simply amazing and passed the ball through/round us start to finish. MP shd have “engineered” a change much earlier but sometimes u just hve to sit back and applaud and where I was sat, that’s what we did for Robben and Schweinsteiger when they were subbed – they were great. Ribery got dogs abuse – he was also good but a cheating f*cker…
Other than that, evening also clouded by a pissed up Polish “half and half scarf” Blue fighting with a more true Blue lad who was annoyed that he was told by a steward to sit down and don’t chant loudly.
Am goin to Everton match and am fearful but cmmmonnnnn u blue boys! CTID
We’re are centre backs really that bad? 1st goal ribery cuts inside hart should save doesn’t 2nd goal only clichy knows what was going through his mind when he tracked muller then suddenly decided to stop and let him through hart for me again could have done better 3rd goal nastasic shows him onto his weaker left foot narrowing his angle on goal hart should save. Let’s be honest tactics were wrong we were dominated but 3 errors cost us dearly clichy was awful and as for the call to recall lescott I think it could have been 5 or 6 if that waste of space played
Goater, you’re spot on! The only thing I would add is that the defensive midfield pair isn’t working. Fenandinho has to be left out!! I don’t care how much we paid for him. I am worried that MP didn’t change it – Mancini would have changed it before half time!! What does this say about the new Manager? We have no midfield ball winner at the moment and new faces have to come in, possibly from the Development team.I agree that BM were fantastic but this was a disgrace!! Going to lose a lot of games this season unless changes are made.
Disagree there, No chance would Mancini have changed things before half time!! That was always my biggest issue with him! Looking back through tinted glasses there I think!