City freeze in Moscow: Match Report

Goals: City: Aguero 29, Milner 38. CSKA: Doumbia 65, Natcho 86 (pen)

Ratings:

Hart: Did well enough when called upon. No chance with the first CSKA goal and beaten by a well taken penalty for their equaliser: 7

Zabaleta: His tenacity started off the move for the opener. Some good forward runs, and good solid defending, but he was beaten to the ball by Doumbia for CSKA’s opener: 7

Kompany: City’s stand out defender. Used his strength to keep CSKA out in the first half, and was the best of our back four in a difficult second period: 8 (***Man of the Match***)

Mangala: Some good interceptions, but his distribution wasn’t always well directed, and put us under pressure at times: 6

Kolarov: His chronic defensive weakness was cruelly exposed here. CSKA consistently got behind us on his side as Tosic and Musa left him for dead time after time. As an experienced pro, he should have known better than to give Doumbia the chance of going to ground: 5

Milner: Worked hard as ever in attack and defence and was as creative as ever. His energy and intensity levels did not drop. Right place, right time for a well-deserved goal: 7

Yaya Toure: Played his part in setting up the two goals, having set up Zaba earlier, but nowhere near enough intensity in his play particularly early on, and in the whole second half. He also lost possession before CSKA won their ill-deserved penalty: 6

Fernando: Some good tackles. Distribution could have been better at times, and we needed more energy from him too: 6

Silva: Lovely pass played in Dzeko for the opener, but he faded in the second half: 6

Dzeko: Selflessly set up Aguero for the first goal, and should have had a penalty when bundled over: 7

Aguero: In the right place to score, but lacked service in the second half: 7

Subs:

Navas (for Dzeko 72): n/a

Fernandinho (for Silva 78): n/a

Jovetic (for Fernando 86):n/a

Best Oppo: Musa: Troubled us with his pace and movement all night: 8

Refwatch: Istvan Vad (Hungary): Vad the inflamer’s award of CSKA’s penalty was a crass mistake, as was his failure to award one to City for the foul on Dzeko: 4

Congratulations and immense admiration to those City fans who rented a flat overlooking the Khimki Stadium. Now, that is true support!