Match Report and Player Ratings: AS Monaco 2-2 Manchester City (UEFA Champions League League Phase) | OneFootball

Manchester City’s winless away run in the UEFA Champions League continues as Pep Guardiola’s Blues shared the points with AS Monaco after a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night.

It was the hosts who appeared to settle quicker after a loose pass inside the opening exchanges from Josko Gvardiol went straight out for a throw deep in his own half, giving the French side an opportunity to disrupt Manchester City’s early rhythm.

Pep Guardiola’s side gradually started to find their feet and nearly punished AS Monaco’s carelessness in midfield in the 12th minute, after a misplaced pass gifted possession to Tijjani Reijnders, who struck from range, but his shot sailed over the bar.

In the 15th minute, Gvardiol redeemed his early error with an excellent lofted ball into the path of Erling Haaland, who latched onto it with his first touch of the game and expertly lifted it over Philipp Kohn to put the Citizens ahead.

AS Monaco nearly responded instantly. A mix-up at the back almost saw Gianluigi Donnarumma punished as he was caught in no man’s land, but American forward Folarin Balogun could not capitalise on the opportunity. However, ‘Les Rouges et Blancs’ didn’t have to wait long to find their equaliser.

Three minutes after City took the lead, a string of passes found its way into midfielder, Jordan Teze, who unleashed a thunderous right-footed strike from the edge of the box that flew into the top left corner

Donnarumma, who had a shaky first-half, then gifted the ball straight to Maghnes Akliouche after racing out to sweep up the ball. However, the Monaco attacker could not capitalise with the goal gaping.

After 33 minutes came the Blues’ best chance since the opener, patient build up play found Phil Foden inside the penalty area, who let a right footed rocket fly which had the Monaco goalkeeper beaten but rattled the crossbar.

Erling Haaland then had a golden opportunity to give Manchester City the lead after Reijnders forced a save from Kohn, but the Norwegian striker could only find the side netting from the rebound.

A minute before half time, Foden laid it off to Nico O’Reilly, whose pinpoint cross was met by Manchester City’s number 9, rising highest to guide a powerful header across goal and find the far corner, restoring the lead.

AS Monaco came out after the break looking for a route back into the game, with a good chance from a short-corner routine, the ball was worked into the box, where Balogun found himself unmarked at the far post. However, he was unable to get anything on the ball and the chance slipped away.

The Citizens stayed composed but were nearly pegged back just before the hour mark. Akliouche drove a low shot through the legs of O’Reilly, forcing Donnarumma into a sharp save to keep City in front.

In the 73rd minute, substitute Savinho led a dangerous counter-attack and laid the ball to Reijnders. The midfielder shaped to pass to Haaland, instead cutting back onto his left foot and unleashing a strike that crashed off the crossbar. Just a minute later, Haaland had a chance to complete his hat trick with a powerful effort from distance, but Kohn was equal to it, tipping it behind.

And just as it looked like City would see the game out, Monaco were handed a lifeline in the 86th minute. A free-kick was whipped into the box towards Eric Dier, who went down under a high boot from Nico González. After a lengthy VAR review, the referee was sent to the monitor and pointed to the spot. Dier stepped up and made no mistake, sending Donnarumma the wrong way to place his penalty into the bottom corner.

After seven additional minutes of stoppage time, neither team were able to find the winning goal and the game finished 2-2. Pep Guardiola’s side will feel they let the victory slip late on with a controversial penalty decision.

Here is how we rated the Manchester City players’ individual performances in the 2-2 draw with AS Monaco at Stade Louis-II this week!

Player Ratings

Starting XI

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 6.5

Struggled in the first half, however the Italian looked more comfortable in the second 45.

John Stones – 7.5

Stones was solid before being substituted, excelled in bringing out the ball from the back to kick-start any City attack.

Ruben Dias – 6.5

A decent performance from the Portuguese international, keeping the AS Monaco attackers frustrated throughout the game.

Josko Gvardiol – 6.5

A decent showing from the Croatian, managing to get an assist.

Nico O’Reilly – 7.5

O’Reilly seems to really be growing into the left-back role, looking more comfortable with each showing.

Rodri – 6.5

A good showing from the Spaniard, who is seeing his minutes monitored.

Bernardo Silva – 5.5

A tough evening for Bernardo, who looks to be struggling with pace out on the wing.

Tijjani Reijnders – 7

City’s No.4 looked lively throughout and was unlucky not to score.

Phil Foden – 7

Foden had an impressive first half and looked a threat throughout the first 45 minutes but was quiet in the second.

Jeremy Doku – 6

Was quiet before being substituted.

Erling Haaland – 8.5 (POTM)

Another brace for the Norwegian who continues to make history in this competition.

Substitutes

Savinho – 6.5

Injected a bit more pace into the attacks in the second half.

Nico Gonzalez – 6

Was unfortunate to have his performance outshone by the penalty incident.