PLAYER RATINGS | Monaco 2-2 Manchester City: Eric Dier secures late draw for Monégasques after Erling Haaland brace | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Matchday 2, 01/10/25

AS Monaco salvaged a late draw against Manchester City, thanks to an Eric Dier penalty, and despite an Erling Haaland brace at the Stade Louis II (2-2).

The Match

It was one chance, one goal for Manchester City, who dominated possession and territory in the opening stages, but failed to create chances. It was a simple chipped ball from Josko Gvardiol, a simple but untracked run from Haaland, and a lovely dinked finish from the striker, celebrating his 50th Champions League performance with a goal.

However, they ceded their advantage within seconds. A goal down, Adi Hutter’s side came out of their shell. From a ball recovery inside the City half, Jordan Teze picked up the ball outside the ball and once he did, he only had one thing on his mind – shooting. His excellent strike from outside the box beat Gianluigi Donnarumma and levelled the scores once more.

However, Manchester City had more joy unlocking the Monaco defence as the half progressed. Tijjani Reijnders dragged a shot inches wide, Phil Foden struck the underside of the bar, and Nico O’Reilly forced Philipp Kohn into a save.

Reijnders forced Kohn into another finger-tip save, and on the rebound, from a tight angle, Haaland could only shoot into the sidenetting. However, Manchester City would get the goal that their domination deserved, and it would be Haaland again, outjumping Mohammed Salisu and scoring a thunderous header.

However, Monaco didn’t lose heart and kept going in the second half. Maghnes Akliouche forced Gianluigi Donnarumma into a good low save. But the best chances continued to come for the visitors, with Reijnders the next to strike the bar for Manchester City. Haaland was denied a hat-trick by Kohn.

And Manchester City would be made to pay for their missed chances. From a set-piece, Eric Dier received a boot in the face, and the penalty was awarded following consultation with VAR. The Englishman dusted himself off to put the penalty home himself.

The draw means that Monaco have registered their first point of their Champions League campaign; Manchester City remain unbeaten.

Monaco player ratings

Philipp Kohn – 7

Mohammed Salisu – 4

Thilo Kehrer – 6

Eric Dier – 7

Dier was well placed throughout and won all of his duels, even if he did only have three. He was once again the calming presence that he was at the start of the season, before his recent blip, and he lived up to his reputation as a calm customer by stepping up himself to strike home the penalty.

Krépin Diatta – 6

Mamadou Coulibaly – 6

Jordan Teze – 6

Vanderson – N/A

Replaced by Kassoum Ouattara (5) midway through the first half.

Ansu Fati – 5

Folarin Balogun – 4

Maghnes Akliouche – 6

The Frenchman returned for this game following illness over the weekend. If he wasn’t 100%, it didn’t show. His work in small spaces and ability to keep the ball allowed Monaco to get up the field. Without a focal point, it was a valuable asset.

Selected Manchester City player ratings

Erling Haaland – 8

How exactly do you evaluate a player who only had 17 touches in the game? We barely saw him, but from his seven touches in the first half, he netted two goals. His run for the first was excellent, and the way he outmuscled and outjumped Salisu for his second was vintage Haaland. He couldn’t have done much more to help his side take the three points, and his disappointment certainly showed post-match.

Jérémy Doku – 3

Phil Foden – 6

GFFN | L. Entwistle – reporting from Monaco