Jon Mackenzie Reporting from Manchester –
Welcome to our Champions League Manchester City v Shakhtar Minute by Minute report. Shakhtar surprised many neutrals when they won their matchday 1 home game against Italian side Napoli 2-1. Shakhtar may be the strongest team from the post-Soviet space, but the conflict in the Donbass has hampered the development of the side and meant that they are no longer part of Europe’s elite. Manchester City in the meantime raised no eyebrows when they dispatched Feyenoord 0-4 on matchday 1. Managed by Pep Guardiola City have been in fantastic form in the league having scored 21-2 goals in in just six games. There is no doubt that City are the favourites tonight (read the match preview here) it will, however, be interesting to see whether Shakhtar can upset the applecart.
Manchester City v Shakhtar – Live Text
Manchester City v Shakhtar – Full Time
That’s it. Manchester City get their win and sit pretty at the top of Group F. City the deserved winners in terms of chances created but the team sitting top of the Ukrainian Premier League will be happy with the way they aquitted themselves tonight. There will not be many teams who lose at the Etihad by so fine a margin this season. After squandering chance after chance, Kevin De Bruyne’s 48th minute goal settled City for a period before the jitters settled in the longer the game went on. Sterling’s last minute goal has given the game a gloss it perhaps didn’t deserve and the history books will record it as a 2-0 victory – but in reality, Guardiola will be unhappy with how the game unfolded. There is still work for Guardiola to do, then, as he continues his quest for Europe’s most-sought after cup, but the signs are there that they could cause problems as the tournament progresses.
Paulo Fonseca, on the other hand, will come out of the game feeling more positive you feel – this is undoubtedly the toughest fixture of Shakhtar’s group stages and there were big chances created by their midfield trio that will please their manager. Given their next fixture is at home to the group’s whipping boys, Feyenoord, Fonseca will feel positive of hitting the half-way point of the group fixtures in second place – especially with the City – Napoli fixture coming up too.
In the end, this was an entertaining affair. For the purist, there will be a bemoaning of the lack of finishing quality on offer. But as any neutral would agree, this was more than made up for by what happened across the rest of the pitch. If both teams continue to entertain in this manner, then we’re in for a treat over the course of the rest of the Group F fixtures.
So it’s goodbye and goodnight from the Futbolgrad Network live at the Etihad Stadium.
90:00 mins
Into extra time here. The fans are leaving in droves now that the second goal has arrived.
89:02 mins
GOAL! And finally the second goal comes! Bernardo Silva finds himself on acres of space on the right, looks up and finds Raheem Sterling who grateful rifles the ball into the roof of the net. It is tempting to say it’s been coming but it’s been coming since the game began. 2-0 to the home team.
Brilliant from @BernardoCSilva who cuts back for @sterling7 to crash in off the bar!
🔵 2-0 ⚒ #cityvfcsd pic.twitter.com/obCoYZHQVw
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 26, 2017
86:56 mins
You couldn’t write this – it’s Sane again. This time he cuts back onto his right foot and, rather than playing the ball inside, tries a shot by which point Andriy Pyatov has covered the shot which he hangs onto.
85:32 mins
It’s Ground Hog Day here – Sane works his way into the penalty area from the left and squeezes the ball wide of the post. City could have scored many more tonight which doesn’t bode well when they come against the top clubs.
84:32 mins
City’s final substitution. Aguero off for Bernardo Silva. The crowd shows their appreciation, but there is no denying the Argentinian will be disappointed with his performance tonight.
No record for @aguerosergiokun tonight – there's always the next game! 🙏 #mancity pic.twitter.com/ELCHUp5mKn
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 26, 2017
82:05 mins
Penalty shout! Sterling is fed into the box by De Bruyne, falls down under the challenge but the referee is unimpressed by his appeals.
80:07 mins
Into the last ten minutes of the game and David Silva is replaced by Ilkay Gundogan. The crowd are on their feet showing the Spaniard their appreciation.
77:34 mins
Shakhtar’s first substitution has happened. The lively Marlos coming off for Dentinho.
77:24 mins
Two incidents in quick succession: Leroy Sane brought down on the edge of the box but no response from Manuel De Sousa the referee. The ball drops at the feet of Aguero and he slams it wide of the far post from outside of the box.
76:11 mins
The later this game goes, the nervier Guardiola will be that his team are only winning by one.
75:23 mins
Penalty shout there for Shakhtar. The ball is with Bernard on the left who tries to swing in a cross. The ball is blocked, though, hitting John Stones’s outstretched hand and rebounding out of play. The referee isn’t interested but Shakhtar will feel hard done by there.
74:25 mins
A break here as Taison is down injured. He’s back on his feet though and the play continues.
70:24 mins
Penalty! And it’s that man Leroy Sane who earns it. Breaking into the penalty area, he pushes the ball wide and is caught by Ivan Ordets. Sergio Aguero to equal the record – and he misses! Would you know it! The record remains unbroken!
68:45 mins
Raheem Sterling joins the “Should Have Really Scored Club” for this match. De Bruyne is fed the ball in a wide right position, skids the ball in low to Sterling who can only side-foot the ball wide with his weaker left foot. That should have been in.
66:21 mins
De Bruyne curls a ball into the box from a free kick. It rattles about ominously before being cleared by Shakhtar.
65:01 mins
Penalty shout! A quick interplay between Sane and David Silva ends up with Silva clattered by Ordets. Fortunately for the referee, the linesman has his flag up for offside, saving him from a potentially difficult decision.
61:42 mins
Yet again, Leroy Sane causes problems down the left. His fizzed cross bounces across the box and finally falls to De Bruyne in a similar position to the one he scored from. He is closed down though and the ball runs out for a corner.
https://twitter.com/City_Watch/status/912769850895949825
58:07 mins
Shakhtar attempting to absorb pressure here. They’ve done well to stem the City tide so far and this deep possession from them will help them to regroup. Guardiola will be happy with how his team have come out though – they’ve been much tighter at the back and made the most of a chance – albeit the toughest of the lot.
55:24 mins
City are looking dangerous now. A David Silva chipped pass from the middle of the Shakhtar half falls beautifully for Sergio Aguero but his side-footed volley is brilliantly closed down by the on-rushing Andriy Pyatov.
53:42 mins
First substitution of the night. Raheem Sterling comes on to replace Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has been relatively subdued by his own standards.
52:32 mins
And like that, the game returns back to normalcy. A Leroy Sane run into the box, a low swerving shot straight at the keeper and an easy save.
47:23 mins
GOAL! Finally City break the deadlock and it’s the midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne who does it for them. After a lucky break, the ball falls at David Silva’s feet. Looking up he sees De Bruyne on the edge of the box – plays the ball to him and the Belgian takes a touch before curling it into the top right corner and beyond Pyatov. Manchester City 1 – 0 Shakhtar Donetsk.
WHAT A HIT!!! @debruynekev pic.twitter.com/LGugeGoLFI
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 26, 2017
45:00 mins
The game is back underway here at the Etihad.
Manchester City v Shakhtar – Second Half
The players from both teams are back on the pitch. The second half will begin shortly.
HT | 🔵 0-0 ⚒ #cityvfcsd
Nothing between them at the break in what's been a well-matched first half. What's your take so far? pic.twitter.com/DoLw0TLk5G
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 26, 2017
Manchester City v Shakhtar – Half Time
Half time arrives and the watchword for City will be frustration. They’ve created big chances – particularly though Leroy Sane and Kevin De Bruyne – but they haven’t managed to capitalise. Playing so strong a team as he has, Guardiola will be annoyed that his gamble hasn’t played off. Shakhtar, on the other hand, will be delighted with their half. Reducing City’s forward line-up to a couple of chances, they also created chances of their own – in particular, through Marlos, who was able to cause Fabian Delph problems on the right wing. The score could have been a high scoring draw at this point but, unfortunately for the neutrals, it remains 0-0.
45:00 mins
One minute of added time to be played here at the Etihad.
43:40 mins
Ismaily is getting the run on Kyle Walker in this half. Linking up with Taison, he hits the byline and crosses the ball, forcing John Stones to clear it off a Shakhtar player and out for a goal kick.
40:31 mins
Another big chance goes begging for City and again it comes through the tireless running of Leroy Sane who breaks into the box, finds himself facing the goalkeeper and fires wide. Are City going to rue these misses?
39:31 mins
Another big chance for Shakhtar. A free kick is swung in by Marlos and Ivan Ordets heads just wide of the post. City looking fragile at the back.
38:16 mins
All quiet on the Western front at the Etihad. Guardiola will be unimpressed with his team ceding possession in their own half as well as their inability to capitalise from counter-attacking situations.
34:35 mins
More pressure from Shakhtar. Marlos again gets the ball in a wide position and swings the ball in low. Ederson is forced into a palmed clearance but fortunately the ball falls to David Silva in the box.
33:40 mins
Leroy Sane is looking pretty dangerous for City. He has moved onto the right wing and cuts inside the box on his left, calling Andriy Pyatov into a save low to his right.
31:31 mins
Shakhtar chance! Marlos calls Ederson into action with a curling chance from outside of the box. He palms the ball away and Shakhtar clear. City are not looking impenetrable here.
29:26 mins
How has he missed that? City break through Jesus and he plays in De Bruyne. Only the keeper to beat but he squeezes the ball wide of the post. He has to score that you feel. Or hit the target at the very least.
27:06 mins
Speculative effort from Stepanenko, Shakhtar’s rangey midfielder, sails over the bar. It’s gone terribly quiet here – so much so, you can hear Guardiola barking out instructions from the pitch side.
23:10 mins
Another beautiful through ball from De Bruyne – another offside call. Shakhtar are fine lines away from conceding here you feel.
22:22 mins
The crowd are getting frustrated. Cries of ‘Come on City!’ ring out around the Etihad.
20:32 mins
Once again, Aguero is through on goal. But it’s offside. The record will have to wait.
19:43 mins
Ferreyra, Shakhtar’s big striker, commits the biggest foul of the night so far on Fernandinho and recieves a ticking off from the ref.
18:16 mins
Leroy Sane counter-attacks down the line but is adjudged to have run the ball out of play by the linesman.
17:09 mins
Still 0-0 here. Both managers are out patrolling their dugouts. The game has settled a bit after a ouple of big chances for both teams
12:52 mins
Big chance for Shakhtar there as Fred is played through on goal by Bernard. Valiant defending from Fernandinho leaves Shakhtar with a corner.
11:36 mins
Shakhtar are giving a good account of themselves going forwards: neat interchanges between the midfield three who are switching positions regularly. City have had the better of the opening exchanges though.
9:32 mins
A delicious chip from De Bruyne on the right touchline drops for Aguero but he can only volley it straight at the keeper. Will his attempt to achieve the all-time goals record cramp his style?
7:23 mins
Big chance for City as Stones’s ball into the channel is spilled by Rakitskiy, falling perfectly to Jesus. His cross finds David Silva but the Spaniard’s touch lets him down and Shakhtar clear their lines.
6:34 mins
City work the ball down the left flank with Leroy Sane but his cross crashes out for a throw in.
3:53 mins
Aguero works the ball into a shooting position on the corner of the box but it whistles harmlessly wide. Expectations from the City fans as Aguero is only one goal away from Erik Brook’s all-time record for the Manchester club.
2:32 mins
The game begins with a Shakhtar kick off and they manage to hold the ball for the first minute of play. No sign of nerves here.
19:45
The Group F match between Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk is underway.
Manchester City v Shakhtar – Kickoff
Manchester City v Shakhtar – Buildup
19:42
The teams are now lining up on the pitch. The strains of Handel’s Zadok the Priest reverberate around the stadium. Kick off is moments away
#ChampionsLeague kicks off in ten minutes!.@Jon_Mackenzie has all the action from #cityvfcsd right HERE 👉 https://t.co/ylPJD549dj pic.twitter.com/cv1NG9XKbW
— The Gegenpressing Podcast and Newsletter (@Gegenpress_Pod) September 26, 2017
19:35
Manchester City’s holding midfielder today, Fernandinho, was playing for Shaktar Donetsck in 2008 when they managed to beat Barcelona in the Camp Nou. The Brazilian midfielder scored the third goal – the eventual winner – for the Ukrainian team, although the cynics amongst you will note that Barcelona were already qualified and were fielding a weaker side. That notwithstanding, Barcelona’s fledgling coach claimed the team were impressed with Shakhtar. His name? Pep Guardiola.
19:32
Good to see Ilkay Gundogan on the team sheet for Manchester City after his recent injury scare. He looks to be moving comfortably during the warm-up and so looks in little danger of exacerbating his recent knee injury.
19:25
The choice to field Fabian Delph at left back is reminiscent of Jesus Navas’s outings on the opposite wing. Of course, you should never read too much into the team sheet – not least when it is a Pep Guardiola team.
19:11
The Manchester City squad are out on the field to warm up closely followed by Shakhtar Donetsk.
City players are out on the pitch pic.twitter.com/IP4t3k44wT
— Jon Mackenzie (@Jon_Mackenzie) September 26, 2017
Closely followed by Shakhtar pic.twitter.com/wmKbVPVFDo
— Jon Mackenzie (@Jon_Mackenzie) September 26, 2017
19:02
Good evening from a balmy evening in Manchester. The team sheets have been released and the line-ups are very much as we predicted in our preview. Both managers have gone for strong teams in a bid to cement a lead at the top of Group F. Interesting to see Bernard, the Shakhtar playmaker being pushed out onto the wing tonight allowing Taison, who scored the first goal in Shakhtar’s home win against Napoli, to come inside. For City, a forward three of Sane, Aguero and Jesus backed by Silva and De Bruyne must be the most fearsome forward 5 in the world at the moment – How will Shakhtar cope? Will they cope? It’s shaping up to be quite the encounter here at the Etihad.
— Jon Mackenzie (@Jon_Mackenzie) September 26, 2017
18:32
Quiet night in pic.twitter.com/Z2zk85rEaW
— Jon Mackenzie (@Jon_Mackenzie) September 26, 2017
16:00
Welcome to the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester.
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