MAN CITY 1 – 1 Real Madrid – PLAYER RATINGS
22 Nov
Hart - Made one excellent stop in the first half when he spread himself to deny Khedira but he could have done better for the goal. The ball should not be landing in the six yard box with Hart rooted to his line - 6
Maicon – A very shaky opening twenty minutes and he was highly culpable for the goal when he inexplicably ball-watched as Benzema ran off him. Improved after that and offered a great attacking threat, going close with one prodded attempt - 7
Zabaleta – Endured a difficult night´s work at the hands of Ronaldo and then Di Maria, with the Argentinean winger constantly teasing his international teammate. Tried to get tight but was turned too frequently - 5
Kompany - The movement of Ronaldo and Benzema caused him occasional problems, but as Real Madrid threatened in the second half, he was back to somwhere near his impenetrable self. Commanding, quick to the tackle and read the game superbly – 7
Nastasic – Continues to look like one of the bargain´s of the season. One terrific goalline clearance highlighted his pace and awareness, and he was as composed on the ball as usual – 7
Kolarov - Started in his favoured wingback role but struggled and was then moved into a more advanced midfield position but made no impact and was replaced the break. Needs too many touches to bring the ball under control and that halts our attacks and enables defenders to get tight to him – 5
Y. Touré - Could not get a grip in the first half as the visitors moved the ball with pace and passed around Yaya, but he improved enormously after the break and started to dominate. Wasted a great opportunity in injury time – 7
Nasri - More involved than normal as he operated from a central position in the first half but he struggled to make any impression. Moved out wide after half time but then replaced as we searched for the equaliser - 6
Silva – Outstanding. It is so pleasing to see him at this majestic level. He was tremendous in possession, leading the visitors midfielders and defenders on a merry dance at times and his tackling was superb. Looked eager to make his mark and he did just that - 9
Aguero - Tried his hardest to hold the ball up and bring others into play, but struggled without men around him. Took his penalty with the calm assurance we have come to expect but he should have buried his chance from two yards - 7
Džeko - His first half performance was embarrassing. I lost count of the number of times the ball was played into his feet but he was two yards off the pace and thus the defenders nipped in ahead of him. Improved marginally after the break, though that was not a difficult ask – 4
Subs
Garcia – He was brought on to add solidity to our midfield as Real broke on the counter-attack and, for the first time in his City career, he impressed. Read the game well and showed a decent touch in possession - 7
Tevez – Couldn´t quite provide the spark in attack. A willing worker but lacked that touch of class - 6
Milner – Only introduced to the action in the final few moments - No time to mark
Both Maicon and Kompany were responsible for the first goal though Maicon is the one who has to bear most of the responsibility as he was ball-watching. With that said, the only reason Karim Benzema was on-side was due to Kompany’s position. They should not be given a 7. I understand we can not be 100% perfect but there are so many goals let in due to defender mistakes and they can be prevented.
I think it would be harsh, though understand your point of view about not giving 7s due to such a crucial error. I think 7 for Kompany is probably fair though. Silva was sensational and when I see Brennan in the Manchester Evening news give 7 for that performance it just makes me wonder. I knew I could trust View From A Blue who I at times think must sit next to me would give him the 9 he deserved. VFAB should apply for Stuarts job I think.
4 for dzeko he held the ball up well and he was one of the key reasons we won the penalty nasty was r best defender by a country mile he was the only one who seemed to deal with ronaldo without having to foul him
Dzeko did ok in the second half and helped win a pen but in the first half he was way below par
Dezko is one of my favorite players. But I have got to admit he has an awful touch. When Dezko in the line up along side Nasri and Silva, and the playing style is based on a lot of footwork, Dezko would look out of place. It is just like using a wrench as a hammer. It may do the job on occasions but it is not what is meant for.
4 for Dzeko, and 7 for Maicon? It fairly boggles the mind…!! Maicon was mostly culpable for the first goal that cost us two points and one last chance to stave off elimination at the Westfalenstadion. Dzeko in general did some great work in midfield holding up the ball and his alert turn and pass to Sergio created the good chance on what became a penalty for us.
Dzeko first half 4, second half 7
HOW MAICON GETS MORE THAN ZABALETA IS SHOCKING?
Maicon was absolutely pants and Zaba was his usual warrier.
I am really disappointed in your criticism of Hart too. Don’t forget he kept us in the game in the first half…
I hate to say it, but I do agree with Matthew. These are some of the most bizarre rating I have ever seen.
JH – single handedly kept us in the game. Perhaps he shoud have come out for the goal, however, Benzema should never have been allowed to get into that position due to Maicon’s failure to do his job.
Maicon – Garbage in the first half hour. Improved to do a Yaya – one run and then not a lot after.
Nasty Itch – really looking good out there. Lescott will struggle to start at City on a regular basis again.
Dzeko – as much as he wants to start, he can’t. Nuff said.
Well chum, if you think VFAB’s ratings are bizarre you’ll need to consult a thesaurus if you ever read Stuart Brennan’s ratings in the MUEN!
Maicon made an error and was probably cupable in the Benzema goal but if you’re suggesting [as you seem to] that all he and Yaya produced was one run and not a lot else you’ve probably similar eyesight to Brennan and live on the same planet as him!
Yaya is the most pased to player in the team and has many attributes that make him incredibly unique and valuable. That 1 run a game comment is nonesense.
Yaya Toure is the most passed to play in the team for one reason, and here is why….
Here is a frequent sequence of passes….
Hart – Kompany – Yaya – Kompany – Yaya – Nastastic – Yaya – Kompany – Yaya – Barry – Yaya – Clichy – Yaya – Kompany- Yaya – Zaba – Yaya – Hart – Yaya – Lescott – Yaya – Kompany…..
You catch mydrift….very rarely do we see him pass it forward. He gets the ball and passes it straight back to the defenders, who give it him back, and then he gives it back to them ?!?!?!
If he plays a forward ball, its always over the top…to a small striker….and more often than not runs out of play.
Not only are his balls running out of play, but quickly is my patience with him.
To confirm….some passing stats from Yaya this year…
Passes backwards and to the side in one game 57
Passes forward in a game 18
Big chances he was faced with in a game 0
Unsuccessful passes in a game 7 (presumably all over the top)
Unsuccessful touches in a game 10
Another one…..Yaya didnt place a forward pass against Stoke at home last year until the 28th minute. Also in this game 139/168 passes did not go forward.