By Alan Duffy
Manchester City 3-2 Champions League Group E – 25th November 2014
A magnificent Sergio Aguero hat-trick rescued Man City’s Champions LEague campaign at the Etihad on Wednesday. CSKA’s late equaliser against Roma in the earlier Group E game had already helped the Citizens cause, but their Aguero-inspired vicotry over Bayern means that the Premier League champions now have a great chance of making the knockout stages.
Things started well for the hosts, with Aguero converting a penalty after Mehdi Benatia had fouled the Argentinian. The Bayern defender was sent off for the challenge, leaving the visitors to play the remaining70 minutes with 10 men. However, a superb Xabi Alonso free-kick followed by a Robert Lewandowski goal put the Germans 2-1 up just before the break.
After the break, the Citizens, who were without Silva, Dzeko, Touré and Fernandinho, pushed for a goal and with just five minutes of normal time left, Aguero popped up with two fine finishes to win the game for City.
The Citizens will now qualify for the last 16 if they beat Roma and CSKA don’t beat Bayern. If City draw with Roma, they can still make it through if CSKA lose against Bayern. However, if both games end in a draw, Roma progress (my head hurts).
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Highlights….
Photos: PA
Highlights: Footytube