Bayern Munich 1 – 0 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
18 Sep
Hart - A performance reminiscent of his one-man saviour show against Dortmund a couple of seasons ago. His reflexes were called upon time and time again, and he was equal to everything the home side threw at him. Didn’t deserve to concede in such cruel fashion - 8
Sagna - It’s a thankless task to step into the side and replace Pablo Zabaleta, widely regarded as one of the most complete right-backs in the world, but on just his second City appearance, Sagna was magnificent. Defensively, he was forceful and quick to anticipate danger, and whilst he doesn’t quite have Zabaleta’s attacking potency, this wasn’t a game that called for him to bomb down the wing - 8
Kompany - Bayern’s movement, so sharp and constant, caused him the odd problem early on, but when the back four settled there was a dogged and determined barrier erected. He stood firm all night and would have been crushed when Boateng found the net - 7
Demichelis - In a similar vein to Kompany, he took a little while to settle before growing into his role. Showed great composure on the ball at times and defended solidly - 7
Clichy - Overwhelmed for periods in the second half when Samir Nasri failed to provide any support in tracking back, but Clichy competed very well. He didn’t have too many chances to showcase what he can do when moving forward, but in the final half hour, as Bayern’s pressure grew, he could have done with Kolarov in front of him - 7
Fernandinho - This was the type of energetic, all-action display that he produced on a consistent basis last season. He was doing the defensive work of two in central areas, but was so quick to bite into tackles and close down space. On the ball, too, he was assured and happy to dribble forward - 8
Y. Touré - He was a threat in the first half when he had the ball as he offered an outlet with his ability to surge forward, but when you play away to one of the best sides in the world, you need to work hard and help the team, not just be content with the occasional run forward. That Yaya struggled with the defensive part of the game should come as no surprise, but it was hugely frustrating to see City’s players work tirelessly to stay afloat while Yaya ambled around aimlessly - 5
Navas - He was a willing runner backwards and doubled up on the right to cover for Sagna, but we didn’t see too much of him going in the opposite direction - 6
Nasri - Quiet. Selected ahead of Milner, presumably for his extra quality on the ball, but he needed to work harder to support Clichy. As such, his lack of naturally defensive instincts meant that Bayern enjoyed plenty of space down City’s left - 6
Silva - He was a key figure in the first half, controlling our attacks and making sure that when we won the ball, we didn’t just give it straight back. Shifted out wide later on, though, and couldn’t quite have the same impact - 7
Džeko - He was impressive in the first half as a target man, the ball invariably sticking with him when played forward. After the break, however, through no fault of his own he grew increasingly isolated and was replaced by Aguero - 7
Subs
Milner - Operated in his favoured central role, but couldn’t stem the flow of Bayern possession - 6
Aguero - Barely any touches of the ball until he prodded wide with the last kick of the game - 6
Kolarov - Should have been introduced earlier - No time to mark
The essential error was in not withdrawing Yaya on the hour mark. Fine margins, but that’s what this level of football is all about.
Yaya had little or no effect in second half we cannot carry a player in any game these days if there is a problem with either fitness or attitude it must be sorted out very quickly!
I cannot understand how we keep playing players like Yaya against german clubs which work you all around the pitch. Milner was an obvious choice with Fernandhino, with Navas Silva and Nasri working behind the striker(maybe Yaya in an advanced position), but not with Yaya in a holding role. And how can we take off when he was covering Sagna when outnumbered to introduce Kolorov on the opposite side. There again yaya was the obvious choice to come off and put lampard to offer more cover in the centre.
Fair comment. I think Yaya’s problem wasn’t commitment, he just isn’t fit and his stamina ebbed away.He seems to come back like this from every summer break and seems to need to play hiself into fitness.
Fernandinho was excellent and it could have been alot different if he’d been matched with Fernando to start with or even replaced by him after 70 minutes, but then they could drop Shweinsteiger, Badstuber and Ribery into the conversation!
I too feel that it was crying out for Aleks Kolarov to come into the left midfield once Robben came on. By the 80th minute our players looked cream crackered and at walking pace when not on the ball; the gaps were getting bigger by the minute. The manner of the goal was unfortunate but a goal inevitable I suspect.
This group has a long way to go and getting through no certainty so we’ll need to make sure that the Etihad remains a pre-Stoke fortress.
I have been an staunch supporter of Yaya and have so far turned a blind eye to his lazy and slack attitude on the pitch mainly for two reasons 1) he was played almost every single minute with little rest 2) his goal tally and assist would offset his other shortcoming
However; it is not the case anymore and people should stop making excuses for him. Too much drama from birth-cake to proper respect to life time job and …
Yaya played a major part in our loss yesterday as when you press a high line you need to track opposition player in numbers. If one fails, the whole system fails. He broke the link between Ferny and attack as the poor guy had to cover for Yaya and others like Silva and Navas had to make up for his f… slack tracking and defending.
This is not acceptable at all, though you are free to make excuses for him. Enough is enough.
Thought we battled well, however no suprise they scored a very late one. Don’t like to criticise City at all, however agree with above if Toure is going to be that bad he needs to be taken off. Milner was the perfect replacement, also Kolarov should have come on as soon as that diving/cheating Robben.
Can’t help thinking we give these sides too much respect and we need to stand toe to toe with them if we are going to succeed in Europe.
Thought we missed Fernando last night although Fernandinho was superb
Yaya gets a 3 from me. I am really pissed off with him and he was a complete passenger in the second half. If he is that lazy, bench him and let him sit on his Muslim, cake remarks and his contract and destroy his career.
What his faith, color, creed has to do with his performance! you are an imbecile and a bigot and such remarks have no place in football, I personally think AVFB should remove comments such as yours that targets players (explicitly or implicitly) by their race, color, creed, origin, etc.
I don’t care about his race or his color or his creed! I said that to highlight how much he enjoys crying around about his color and how underrated he is because of it, about how he is a Muslim, about the whole cake thing.
Get your facts right before you make such a great accusation.
What his joy on color or his faith has to do with his performance! does it mean if a player says he is gay or a Jew, then if he has bad performance, a reference be made to his homosexuality or Jewish.
By the same token, if he has a great game, I do not see anyone say what a fantastic game by a black and Muslim player. It is totally irrelevant and stupid.
Grow up and do not try to justify the nonsense you have up there.
@SIAMACK
I agree it is totally irrelevant and stupid…. from Toure to continue menioning him being a Muslim or an African and for that being underestimated.
Think before you write.
Now you get the point that I was trying to make. You are doing the same stupid thing.
There is no point in trying to talk sense with you clearly.
Shouldn’t really be bringing up Muslim stuff etc.its unnecessary, keep it clean in here, I’m not a fan of yaya. He messed city & the fans around’ made horrible accusations about the club which he has never apologized for. The club have been more than good to him.so regardless of his race religion etc he’s not a “club man”.nasri has also started the season very poorly.him & yaya are besties right?. Maybe their singing from the same hymn sheet.
I am a real fan of Yaya. And I didn’t say anything bad about him being Muslim, I just do not like him crying around and not focusing in football.