This was way closer than it should have been, considering that City were at home and are the much richer club. In the first half both teams had chances but Monaco looked more dangerous, before and after the first goal. Particularly on the counter, they showed their technical superiority, although their decision making was poor at times and they were needlessly offside a couple of times. Really exciting side.
The first goal, though, was absolutely massive from Sane, he handed it on a silver platter for Sterling to do the tap-in. He was running circles around Monaco's players much like they have been doing with City players for most of the first half, nutmegging de Bruyne and Yaya left and right in their own stadium.
Premier League fans love Aguero for his gamesmanship, but I fear he went to far this time, and in continental football this admiration isn't completely shared. Instead you are booked for diving.
Falcao's diving header though was a rocket.
Word on the street is, Falcao, honouring the 60th birth day of a late Austrian musician, composed a soundtrack "Citeh" for the night, fitting the way he r*ped City's defenders at times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRM5zEYB8J0Citeh, quit livin' on dreams! Citeh, life is not what it seems!
In the run up to the goal Guardiola was hurtfully reminded that there's no Manuel Neuer or Jerome Boateng in this team. Instead you have the worse of two mendis - other Mendi, or Otamendi and instead of Falcao, you have another Wiener: Willy.
And sure enough, Otamendi was quickly found out for the second goal [who was it recently who said Otamendi is not overpriced at 45M? Worst player on the pitch tonight.]. By that time Monaco had figured out that it is worth taking chances and trying to pick out passes into Otamendi's back - and continued just after the break. The penalty must have been the first time in human memory that you could hear fans chanting in the Emptihad on TV and they were quickly rewarded with the penalty save. Maybe it's something they will consider doing again in future games? I mean, the whole supporting your team business.
You have to say City can't complain about being unlucky. Saving the weak Penalty, then the howler by Subasic for Aguero's goal. They had a lot going for them tonight.
It's inevitable to reminisce Falcao's song at that point, the way he fooled City's defenders on the counter to chip the ball over Willy, you'd not hesitate to call Special Victims Unit.
Otamendi was traumatized by then, 65th minute he's dealt a simple horizontal pass and delivers a pass reception that would qualify him for England's squad in their next game against Iceland. Again his pricetag is inexplicably 45M - cost more than Hummels - and is shaken by an R16 game.
By the end Monaco couldn't really have afforded another yellow without getting a player sent off and their defending became extremely lacking. I think they would have taken a 5-3 before the game though, although 4-3 would have been a lot nicer and very possible with more discipline (even better than that).
Credit to Sane for his maturity at young age, coming in to perform in a CL knockout game, which most of the expensive signings at this club failed to do in the last 5 years. The boy has character.
You can't compete for the Champions League with a defence consisting of Sagna, Stones (despite his goal), Fernandinho, Otamendi, Zabaleta and Yaya (DMF). Add Willy in goal and it's an accident waiting to happen. Especially away from home. Guardiola has a lot of work in the summer window. For Monaco it's not really important whether they won the game or not, but they scored 3 goals away which gives them a good position for the return leg, although being two behind makes them underdogs for going through again, but still very possible, 55-45. Not sure how the bookies were underestimating Monaco like that.
Great game of football once again, and Leverkusen's game wasn't too shabby either. I wouldn't have thought that you could have a game end 2-4 after 90 minutes with Atletico involved. I don't give Leverkusen much of a chance without Calhanoglu though (despite Atletico being "smart" and having a couple of players deliberately get suspended for the return leg.. hopefully that will result in a ban for the quarter final, as I can't see Leverkusen winning by 3 goals).
