Bor Monchengladbach 1 Manchester City 1: David Silva strikes to secure qualification for ten-man City
Pep Guardiola's side come from behind to seal spot in the Champions League knockouts despite Fernandinho's red card
MANCHESTER CITY sealed their place in the Champions League knockouts with a 1-1 draw in Gladbach.
David Silva's strike on the stroke of half time earned his side a point and ensured they finish in second spot behind Barcelona.
Pep Guardiola’s men made a slow start to the night and looked unsure with their new defensive formation – lining up with three at the back.
They were caught on the counter several times before the opener arrived for the hosts on 22 minutes.
A long ball forward saw John Stones out muscled by Lars Stindl.
The German raced forward down the left and pulled the ball back for Raffael to take a touch before drilling home from the edge of the box.
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Ilkay Gundogan was denied an equaliser courtesy of a fantastic stop from Yann Sommer. Kevin De Bruyne fed the midfielder, but his powerful strike was tipped round the post by the keeper.
Just seconds before the break the equaliser did arrive. Raheem Sterling slipped the ball to De Bruyne on the byline and the Belgian pulled it back across goal for Silva to stab home.
A rejuvenated City started much more positively after the restart and Raheem Sterling had a goal ruled out for offside.
And things got better for them on 51 minutes when Gladbach captain Stindl was given his marching orders. He collected a second yellow card after a foul on Nicolas Otamendi.
The man advantage did not last long. Shortly after the hour mark Fernandinho also received a second caution, although contact looked minimal.
Raffael whizzed an effort wide as Gladbach pressed to keep their Champions League dreams alive, while De Bruyne 35 yard drive was tipped over the bar as both sides pressed for a winner.
It did not arrive - and with Barca's victory over Celtic, City progress.
FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS
- City only needed a draw but it was clear from the team-sheet that Guardiola was not looking for one. He's not picked many more attacking line-ups.
- He may want to think about choosing a more defensive one for City’s next European trip. Raffael’s first half opener made it ten consecutive Champions League games without a clean sheet.
- And in five ties played previously in Germany, the Citizens have not kept a clean sheet in any. That now stands at six.
- And despite the attacking threat they possess, Guardiola’s men are clearly suffering away day Blues on the continent. They have now not won any of their last five matches in this competition.
- Monchengladbach seem to be having the opposite problem. Silva’s leveller made it six consecutive home Champions League games that both sides have scored. Banker.
7Kevin De Bruyne grabbed the assist for Silva's equaliserCredit: Reuters - De Bruyne is the man who pulls all the strings for City in attack. The Belgian winger provided the assist for the equaliser. He has scored or assisted a goal in each of his last five matches for the club (One goal, four assists). Talk about a man in form.
- The name of Hazard was missing from the Gladbach team-sheet. Eden's brother Thorgen was given the night off after becoming a father.
- The home side came into this game having failed to win any of their last six domestic league matches - leaving Andre Schubert facing the music. This result, ensuring their elimination, will not help ease that pressure.
- Sergio Aguero had four goals in two Champions League games against Gladbach – but he failed to add to that tonight.
- This is the fourth year running that City have reached the knockout stages. They have only got past the last-16 once – last season when they went all the way to the semi-finals.
Next five fixtures
Nov 26 - Burnley (A) PL
Dec 3 - Chelsea (H) PL
Dec 6 - Celtic (H) CL
Dec 10 - Leicester (A) PL
Dec 14 - Watford (H) PL
SOCIAL SAYS
DREAM TEAM RATINGS
Gladbach: Sommer 7, Elvedi 7, Christensen 6, Jantschke 6, Wendt 7, Dahoud 7 (Vestergaard 60, 6), Strobl 6, Traore 6 (Hofmann 41, 6), Stindl 5, Johnson 6, Raffael 7 (Hahn 84, 6)
Subs not used: Sippel, Schulz, Benes, Rutten
Goal: Raffael (23)
Man City: Bravo 6, Otamendi 7, Stones 6, Kolarov 6, Navas 6, Fernandinho 4, Gundogan 6, Silva 7, Sterling 7 (Sagna 68, 6), Aguero 6, De Bruyne 7
Subs not used: Caballero, Nolito, Sane, Clichy, Iheanacho, Fernando
Goal: Silva (45)
WHAT THEY SAID
Man City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne: "It was very tough and they were very compact.
"Even before they scored I think they just wanted to defend.
"We played much better in the second half."