City 2 Hoffenheim 1
December 12th 2018 att.50,411
Champions League
Well City managed to win despite the absence of several important players and now top their group. The star this cold evening was Sane who scored a terrific free kick at the end of the first half and the winning goal in the second half. The visitors played well and when they went ahead from a penalty memories of the Lyon home fixture came to mind. Ederson had to make a very good save and it was a good open game. A worry for City was the injury to Stones who was replaced by Walker at half time. City made too many misplaced passes in the first half and I am sure Pep was pleased that the scores were level at the interval. Phil Foden played the full 90 minutes and did not look too much out of place. With the present injury problem I am sure he is going to get more starts. Sterling and Jesus worked hard but we do miss Aguero up front and Silva and Kevin in midfield. Sterling helped to make the winning goal but he missed a good chance late in the game.
With only 15 fit players City made more changes - Foden started and Stones had to play at right back. No Fernandinho in midfield and of course no David Silva , De Bruyne and Aguero. Otamendi is skipper.
Quite a lot of visiting fans this evening and they were very noisy!
Sterling had a very early clash but no free kick given
On 9 minutes Sane had a shot blocked
Five minutes later Ederson had to make a great save from a shot by Kramaric
On 16 minutes he got his revenge when he sent Ederson the wrong way from the penalty spot after Laporte had fouled Hubner in the box
Oh dear we did not expect that! The visiting fans let rip.
When Sane goes to take a corner some of the visiting fans have a go at him!
Jesus heads wide from the corner
Baumann saves from Stones at another City corner
City cannot get the ball in the net as they pile on the pressure
City get a free kick when Sane is brought down but Hoffenheim manage to clear the ball
The keeper saves a cross from Sterling
The secret sniper's been at it again with 2 City players down!
City have a lucky escape when a cross is missed
Nearly half time and Jesus is brought down by Hubner
Sane takes the free kick and cracks it past the keeper to make it one all
It was an excellent strike and City fans and players celebrate before the half time whistle goes
Laporte has half a chance but the visitors escape
Sterling has an effort blocked
This looks promising as City break
....but it ends with a shot going wide
Otamendi heads over at a corner
Another City break ends with misery! Will we ever score!
Otamendi heads over - again!
Another City break and Sane passes to Sterling.....
....who crosses and Sane shoots pat the keeper to give City the lead - at last!
The North Stand have something to shout about
City celebrate an excellent goal
City get another free kick when Jesus is brought down just outside the penalty area
Hoffenheim don't like it and Grillitsch is booked and the Gundogan free kick goes over the bar
Walker heads a corner clear
Joelinton shoots over the bar
A shot by Foden just goes over the bar
Ederson saves from Belfodil
76minutes and another effort by Foden is tipped over the bar by the keeper
Joelinton is booked for a foul on Sterling
Sterling is thwarted again
Kompany on for Benardo gives a corner away
Another City break - must be another goal!
Alas no -the chance was lost and it's soon full time and the managers shake hands
Team
Ederson 7.5: Stones 6.5 (Walker 6.5) Otamendi 6.5, Laporte 6.5, Zinchenko 6 (Delph 7): Gundogan 7.5, Foden 7.5, Benardo 7 (Kompany) Sane 8.5, Sterling 7.5, Jesus 7.5
