Manchester City 2 v Hamburg SV 1
April 16th 2009 UEFA Cup att. 47,009
For once Eastlands saw a game to remember. Full of atmosphere, passion, and good open football the game ended with a glorious failure by City to progress to the semi-final of the UEFA Cup. The extra goal Hamburg scored in the final minutes of their home tie proved fatal to the sky blues. It could have proved so different had lady luck been on City's side as two free kicks from a brilliant Elano hit the woodwork and City did have chances that went a abegging as Hamburg started to falter under the City pressure. It was a brave team effort with both Robinho and Elano doing well especially the latter who had his best game of the season. Why can't he play like that every week?
There were two disappointments - the sending off of Dunne for two yellow card offences and the continual failure of Caicedo to avoid being offside. He never looks to see where defenders are. It was surprising to see him stay on for the full game especially when Elano was substituted!
Shame we could not get a third but with ten men would City have managed the extra time.
TEAM
Given 7; Richards 6, Dunne 5.5, Onuoha 7, Bridge 6.5; Kompany 7, Zabaleta 8 ( Fernandes 6), Ireland 7, Elano 9 (Sturridge 6.5) , Robinho 7.5, Caicedo 6
A smoke bomb in the visitors section gave a European flavor to the atmosphere!
City were without SWP and Bellamy but Bridge and Kompany played. Caicedo led the line in place of the ineligible Bojinov
The City defence were soon in action keeping a close watch on Guerrero
Looks like this Hamburg player is in need of a rest so City supporters -always ready to oblige - have some blow-ups beds handy!
Pitroipa is tackled by Dunne in the area -
unfairly thought the visitors
After 8 minutes Zabaleta put Richards through with a great pass......
..... but he failed to test the keeper falling over his own feet!
A minute later Olic has a chance but puts his shot well wide of the goal
On the 12 minute mark City went one down. Pitroipa managed to cross the ball despite the efforts of Bridge and the ball evaded Olic and ran to Guerrero who managed to shoot as Kompany slipped trying to block the effort
....Given had no chance from such close range and now City needed three goals to get even
Five minutes later and Elano tried a left foot shot which hit Trochowski high up on the arm !
The referee awarded a penalty which was probably very fortunate and up came Elano to take the kick
He swept it into the net much to the delight of the home supporters and it was game on again.
Caicedo misplaces a pass to and gives the defence time to recover
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in the stand must have been impressed with the atmosphere in the ground
On 22minutes Ireland got a great cross ball from Elano but his effort from a narrow angle hit the side netting
Given saves from Trochowski
Bridge takes a moment to check if his nose is still in one piece
Getting the ball from Bridge Caicedo's effort goes wide after 33 minutes
On 36 minutes another chance for Caicedo goes begging. A run down the left by Elano and cross is dangerous....
......but the efforts of Rost and a defender Aogo manage to stop a goal. Minutes later and Caicedo is waved offside yet again. It is far too often. Surely the coaches should be doing something to prevent this bad habit
A Bridge cross is saved by Rost
Just before half time City were very unlucky when a tremendous free kick by Elano rebounds off the bar with the keeper helpless. What a let off for Hamburg and it was one each at the interval
Hamburg manage to clear a City corner
Guerrero plays dead and Kompany gets booked.
After 50 minutes we had a miracle! Ireland passed to Caicedo who actually beat two defenders......
...... and passed into the goal past Rost. Goodness me ! Had he hypnotized them I wonder!
2-1 to City and just one more goal for extra time!
53 minutes on the clock and Elano is brought down. We wait to see if he can score from the free kick ......
........and alas this time the ball hits the post!
Seconds later Elano puts across a dangerous ball.....
......which the defence make a mess of and the ball drops to Caicedo right in front of goal and with the keeper on the floor he hits it over the bar!
Then Zabaleta has a go but the keeper saves
Dunne makes a timely tackle
Robinho takes a good pass on his chest but just fails to beat Rost.
On 60 minutes and Caicedo gets the ball and rounds the keeper.....
.... but when he scores - he fails to realize he was miles offside -again!
A Robinho header flies straight at the keeper
Hamburg have difficulty in clearing another City attack
8 min minutes gone and Elano puts a great pass over the defence for Robinho to chase as the keeper comes out......
....... they collide but the referee from Italy gives a free kick so Hamburg escape again
With just 15 minutes to go and City on top Richard Dunne once more mistimed a tackle and gets a second yellow and then a red. City down to ten men!
Hamburg now start to get back in the game
Kompany drops back to the centre of defence and Fernandes replaces the injured Zabaleta as Hamburg press and Given has to make a brilliant stop from Olic with just 6 minutes to go
Sturridge on for Elano puts the ball wide
Another City corner fails to break the Hamburg defence
City are now throwing everything into attack and even Given comes up for a corner in the dying seconds
With almost the last kick of the game Caicedo misses a chance to become a hero by not scoring when given a chance
