Manchester City vs Borussia Mönchengladbach at Puskás Aréna
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Puskás Aréna
Referee : Sergey Karasev
16th March 2021 8:00 PM (GMT)
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2 Manchester City
- ‘12' Kevin De Bruyne
- ‘18' Ilkay Gündogan
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0 Borussia Mönchengladbach
#mancity
Commentary By @
Goodnight!
That's it for this evening's live coverage - thanks as always for your company.
You can check out all the match stats and reaction below.
There was so much to enjoy about tonight's performance and result, and now we can all look forward to Frida's quarter-final draw.
The immediate focus is all about Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Everton.
It's our last match before the international break and a big one with kick-off at Goodison Park slated for 5.30pm..
Hope you can join us then!
'I am impressed and delighted for our players'
More from the boss:
"In football if you deserve to go through, you do. I am not concerned about the semi finals. When you think about what you have to win, not what you have to do…
"This is why I am concerned only about Everton. No more than that.
"Saying that, I am incredibly impressed and delighted for our players that in this tough year to be 14 points clear in Premier League, the final of Carabao Cup and quarter finals of the Champions League and playing to get to the semis of FA Cup.
"It means for 9-10 months you are there. This is the best title you can get. Of course for the prestige we are here to win like all the clubs and at the end you have to try."
'We are going to celebrate the win'
Pep Guardiola:
"Today is good. We are going to celebrate it. Everybody is fit. But everything can change in one day. International break, we don’t know how people will come back.
"We have Leicester, Champions League, Leeds, Champions League, I don’t know what is going to happen.
"That is why we had to forget about the (FA Cup) quarter finals and just win the game. We have to do what we have done the previous seasons. If we deserve it we will go through against Everton if not we will be out."
Stat pack...📈
🔹 Half of Borussia Monchengladbach's defeats (five of 10) in the Champions League have been against Manchester City.
🔹 City have now scored more than 100 goals in each of their past eight seasons in all competitions, with only Manchester United (nine in a row between 2004-05 and 2012-13) having a longer run of consecutive seasons scoring 100+ goals among top-flight English teams.
🔹 City are only the third team in Champions League history to keep seven consecutive clean sheets, after AC Milan (seven ending in April 2005) and Arsenal (10 ending in April 2006).
🔹 Pep Guardiola has seen his teams score 100+ goals in all his 12 seasons as a manager, since 2008-09.
🔹 Phil Foden has been directly involved in 20 goals in all competitions for City this season (11 goals, nine assists).
Brilliant!! 💙
The Real thing
Also through to the quarter-finals are Real Madrid who overcame Atalanta 3-1 at the Bernabeu to seal a 4-1 aggregate win and book their last eight ticket.
'An incredible step forward for the team'
More from Pep Guardiola:
"We only conceded one goal against Porto - that is impressive. It's an incredible step forward for the team. Everyone runs a lot, not just the strikers.
"But it's important to understand that we defend with the ball. We have to be aggressive without the ball. All the teams right now, the quality they have, they can punish you."
Our Gladbach win in focus...
The boss's verdict...👇
Pep Guardiola's reaction:
"It was a good performance, we controlled the game from the beginning. This competition is tricky but after the two goals everything was easier - everyone in their position moved the ball quick.
"A lot of players like Phil Foden, Bernando Silva, they have a lot of quality, they help us a lot but everyone was so committed and we are delighted to be in the next stage."
Mad stat
City have now won 24 of their last 25 matches in all competitions.
Since that 1-1 draw with West Brom on 15 December, City’s 24 wins are at least seven more than any other side has managed in all competitions in the top-five European leagues.
Just remarkable figures.
Defence gives whole team confidence
KDB on City's clean sheet record:
"It's always important when you are stable as a defence and team. Obviously it gives the whole team confidence.
"It's really nice for Ederson and the defenders."
Game of patience
Kevin De Bruyne's full-time verdict:
"I think the start helps a lot but I think we were patient in the beginning and when we scored the two goals it gave us a cover.
"I think we controlled the game and had a few chances in the second half. Second half was less but understandable with the games we played."
Quarter-final draw: Need to know
A complete performance
Kevin Horlock's full time verdict:
"It looked really comfortable, Pep rotated and rested players, it was a really pleasing game on the eye. I suppose the one thing we’d like is more goals, we get greedy don’t we!
"But it was a complete performance with no injuries."
Total control
Nedum Onuoha's full time verdict
"It was a great second half performance, there weren’t any goals but they controlled it.
"City weren’t giving anything away, on a different day it could’ve been a lot higher but City didn’t need that today."
The official verdict on a superb night's work
Indeed it is!!
Mean machine
City are now on the second longest run in Champions League history without conceding a goal - we have overtaken Juventus tonight - 11hrs and 35 minutes since we last conceded.
Only Arsenal in 2006 have gone on a longer run, which was over 16 hours when they didn't concede until the final
TUNE IN 📺
Join Nedum Onuoha and Kevin Horlock as they analyze a thoroughly impressive night's work!
Sweet 16
That's it full time. A superb night's work from City.
2-0 on the night. 4-0 on aggregate and we go into the hat for Friday's quarter-final draw!!
No entry
Now Stones stretches out and clears a threatening ball. City equally as hungry not to concede.
Two minutes of added time
City just winding the clock down.
Our work for the night is done you feel
Wide
Don't think it will be Riyad Mahrez's night.
The winger cuts in again and unleashes a shot but it just curls the wrong side of the post.
Gladbach have never let their heads drop to their enormous credit.
But over the two legs City have been a class apart.
Foden just delivered an incredible 50 yard crossfield pass from one wing to another.
Mahrez gathered instantly and danced through two defenders before finally being dispossessed.
Wonderful natural ability.
Borussia sweep forward at pace and a flowing move ends with substitute Tarore sending a low drive wide.
City booking
Now Fernandinho goes into the book. Frustrating
Gladbach change
Sttindl off and Tarore comes on for the Germans.
Not lost it
Fernandinho just waltzed his way through three Gladbach players.
He makes it look effortless, anything but however.
Years of experience at work there.
Closer...
Gladbach still having a go to their credit and substitute Wolf lashes in a shot from 20 yards which just has too much purchase on it.
Think Ederson would have had that covered though to be fair.
Arrgh
Sterling almost in on goal via a pin point KDB pass but Raheem slipped just as he was about to pull the trigger.
Final City change
Here comes Sergio Aguero as he replaces Bernardo Silva.
Cruise control
Very much about containment and control now.
Still a lot of important football to be played this season so conserving energy where possible is vital.
They shall not pass
City's defence combine to put the block on Gladbach.
More City changes
Sterling and Laporte are coming on for City with Gundogan and Dias the men to make way.
Mahrez denied again
Sommer is called into action once more to deny our Algerian.
Riyad has done everything but score tonight.
Gladbach changes
Thuram and Embolo off for the Germans Wolf and Plea come on.
Sommer save
City sweep forward in an instant and the Gladbach keeper does well to get down low and deny Riyad Mahrez's as he turns and shoots from just outside the box.
City changes
Zinchenko on for Cancelo and Fernandinho on for Rodrigo, Pep ringing the changes perhaps with one eye on Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Everton.
Sommer save
The Gladbach keeper jumps high to gather a De Bruyne free-kick. Just too high from KDB.
Lainer booked
The Borussia man receives a yellow card after his flailing arm caught De Bruyne in the face.
Waiting game...
City content to keep possession, keep stretching Borussia and wait for the opening.
Like a coiled spring just waiting to explode one feels.
Actually more brilliant work from Ruben Dias to put the Gladbach man off as he prepared to shoot.
Chance
City were exposed there for the first time, we fail to deal with a corner the ball ricochets around and Bensebaini sends his effort wide.
Cancelo yellow
Cancelo goes into the book for a late challenge on Embolo
Pass master
Rodrigo threads through another ball.
Not this time
De Bruyne lashes in another thunderbolt from the edge of the box but the referee's whistle had gone for a foul in the box.
Mahrez on the ball again on the right flank but his cross to the waiting Bernardo is intercepted.
City look hungry for more
Off target
Another fine City move opens up the Gladbach defence but on this occasion Riyad Mahrez is off target with his shot after latching on to Gundogan's through ball.
More panic at the heart of the German back line.
Rodrigo drives forward at the heart of the Gladbach defence but is impeded by Zakaria.
Back in business 💙
We are back underway at the Puskas Arena.
More of the same, please boys!
Behind the lines
An alternative view of KDB's stunner.
What a goal!!
Landmark strike
Squad goals... ⚽
So many standout individual displays in that firs half.
Gundogan, De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez, Bernardo... and that's just for starters!
'Doing what we hoped they would'
Nedum Onuoha's view:
"They’re doing what we hoped they’d do regarding football, managing a Champions League tie and doing what is required to win games at the highest level."
'City are spoiling us'
Kevin Horlock's half time verdict:
"That first half performance was sublime. We’re spoilt, you won’t see many better goals, they were quality for different reasons. An unbelievable half. Pep will just be hoping to ease through now with no injuries."
Captain fantastic 💪
Kevin De Bruyne in the thick of things... as per usual!!
Elsewhere tonight...
Real Madrid are 1-0 up at home to Atalanta in their last-16 second leg tie putting them 2-0 ahead on aggregate.
We're Not Really Here 📺
Time to hear what Nedum Onuoha and Kevin Horlock thought of the first half.
I'd hazard a guess they'll be pretty happy...☝️
Half time 💙
Two wonderful goals, 4-0 ahead on aggregate and still 45 minutes to go.
Magnificent.
Gearing up.
To their credit Gladbach have kept seeking to apply themselves but you just feel that City when required can just flick through the gears.
So much of that first 45 minutes has been sublime.
Mean machine
Just the eleven hours now since City last conceded in the Champions League against Porto way back in October.
Eleven hours. Mad.
Close!
Thuram does well and feeds a superb ball through to Embolo who finds space on the left of the City box and sends a shot narrowly wide.
The Swiss striker has been a handful all night.
All smiles 💙
The story so far...
Engine room
Watching City sprint and work every inch of the pitch its easy to forget how demanding this season has been with the side facing three games almost every week.
Remarkable powers of recovery.
City free-kick
Bernardo is fouled on the edge of the box and Sommer does well to guide De Bruyne's dipping swerving free-kick behind for a corner.
Ederson save
To be fair Borussia move forward and the ball is worked to Thuram on the left edge of the box.
He arcs in a shot which Ederson dives to save.
Wing wizard
Now Mahrez breaks down the right flank and holds off three players before firing in a low cross which Sommer gratefully gathers.
No entry
Must be a fairly demoralizing prospect for the Gladbach players.
The pressure from City is incessant. There is a wall of blue bearing down on the German players every time they look to break out of the box.
Work station
The speed of movement is dazzling at times.
A reminder that City work so hard with and without the ball.
It looks easy to execute - but the only the very best teams crack that conundrum.
Nearly...
Ilkay was almost in again.
Another brilliant move from deep sees Mahrez and De Bruyne exchange passes and the ball is fed through to Gundogan but he just can't get sufficient purchase on the ball as he closes in on Sommer.
Blue heaven 💙
City are purring like a well oiled machine tonight.
All the components complementing each other perfectly from one to eleven.
It's just a joy to watch when we play like this.
Except for the opposition that is!
Just two good...⚽2️⃣
Ilkay doubles our advantage.
This guy... 💙
Masterful
A master class of how to play football.
So easy on the eye but so difficult to execute.
A reminder that it's 4-0 on aggregate now. Could be a long old night for Gladbach.
A thing of beauty
A superb team goal - patient build-up stretched Borussia this way and that before Phil Foden's slide rule pass put Gundogan in behind the defence and he finished in style.
Beautiful to watch
Ilkay!!!
Another brilliant City goal.
Ilkay Gundogan doubles our lead in style.
Just wonderful.
Easy does it...
Ederson is called into action again as he gathers a low Embolo drive.
Meat and drink in fairness though for the City keeper.
Centre of attention...
100 up!!
KDB picked up the ball from Mahrez on the edge of the area, and hit it first time from 20 yards with his left foot.
It's our 100th goal of the season and what a way to bring up the ton!
Jus brilliant!
De Bruyne!!!
What a strike, what a player. Just the start we wanted.
Almost...
A superb sweeping City move up the left flak ends with a De Bruyne cross being just too high for Foden.
Deserved better - a treat for the eyes with instinctive one touch football at its free flowing best.
Bernardo on the march
Ederson save
Now the Germans mount an attack and Ederson needs to be alert to dive and tip Embolo's effort behind.
A reminder that the Germans are no slouches.
Great save
Brillian work from Sommer in the Borussia goal to deny Foden who latched onto Cancelo's superb through ball.
An instinctive flick from Foden but the Borussia keeper was equal to the task.
A neat triangle between Bernardo, Foden and Gundogan just breaks down on the edge of the box
Easy does it...
City content to just probe the Borussia midfield and back line at the moment.
A very measured start.
Pitching in
Pitch looks like a carpet which should suit us down to the ground!
City already passing and moving the ball with ease.
Numbers game 💙
Early suggestion that KDB could operate in the false nine role.
So many options for Pep though!
All to play for
A reminder we are 2-0 up from the first leg. All to play for as we seek to book our quarter-final ticket.
Kick-off 💙
The players have taken a knee and we are underway at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
Come on, City!!
Almost ready...💙
Teams about to enter the pitch.
We are almost good to go. Cannot wait!
A reminder of how we line up tonight...
Stateside greetings
Focus time...👀
Shackles off for Gladbach?
Kevin Horlock on Gladbach:
"Thuram comes in, he’s a goal threat. They’re not in great form so whether they’ve shuffled round for a formula.
"They probably see this as a game where they can let the shackles off, it's a break from the league so will they play with freedom?
"Do they come out and play City like Fulham did but lose 3-0 or sit in like they did last time, which is tiring?"
Stat attack (part two)...📈
🔹 Borussia Monchengladbach have never previously won away to English opponents in the European Cup/Champions League (drawn one, lost three), while they have conceded eight goals in the last two trips - 4-2 in 2015-16 and 4-0 in 2016-17, both against Manchester City.
🔹 Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Raheem Sterling has scored 13 goals in home games for City in the Champions League (19 appearances) - the most of any player for the club and also the most by an English player in the competition in this period.
🔹 City striker Sergio Aguero has scored 19 goals in 28 Champions League games during Pep Guardiola's time in charge. If he finds the net in this game, he would equal Thomas Muller (20) and trail only Lionel Messi (43) for most goals scored in the competition under Guardiola.
Special K 💙
A chance to build confidence
Nedum Onuoha on City's incentive:
"It’s a chance of building confidence in the knockouts of the Champions League, if you play well you might be in the team for the next game.
"You have to play well, it’s Pep Guardiola, if you drop your standards you’re out the team."
Reporting for duty...🙋♂️
Looking sharp lads...
Pep - It's only half-time
Pep Guardiola has warned that there is still a tough 90 minutes to navigate tonight in Budapest:
"We arrive here all together and we’ll do a good game today. Every manager chooses the team he hopes to win.
"Champions League is two games, two legs. We got a good result in he first one but it’s still 90 minutes.
"I know the German teams perfectly, the physicality, the speed, the space they have up front and we have to do a good 90 minutes to try to win the game.
"The target is to win the game and after we will see what happens."
'A potential all-time great?'
Kevin Horlock on Phil Foden's incredible talent:
"He's an incredible talent, he's still got so much to learn, his career could go anywhere, but I don’t mean that in terms of clubs, he's at the best club with the best manager!
"He could be one of the all-time greats in my option. He potentially plays central and I think he’s more effective there, he can go either way and be a real goal threat."
The boss
Pep prepares to fulfil his pre-match media duties over in Budapest.
A nightmare for the opposition!
Kevin Horlock's pre-match view:
"We all know City have a lot of the ball, so having more bodies in there causes havoc.
"Normally in a 4-3-3 you think ‘okay you’ve got three midfielders up against you’ but there’s so many grey areas, people popping up in different areas, it must be a nightmare!
"In Pep we trust!"
Stat attack...📈
The pre-match stats and facts do make for encouraging reading, it has to be said:
🔹 Manchester City are unbeaten in our five games against Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League (won four, drawn one), scoring at least two goals in each of our four victories
🔹 Borussia's previous trip to City ended in their joint-heaviest defeat away from home in the Champions League (4-0).
🔹 Since losing three consecutive home games in the competition between March and September 2018, City have won 10 of our last 11 Champions League home outings (drawn one) - averaging 3.5 goals per game in this run.
Forward march
Nedum Onuoha on our possible formation:
"I think he last time I saw Phil Foden as the false nine was against Liverpool so I expect him to adopt the position but these guys are so intelligent that they just need to understand the role.
"Pep teaches people how he wants them to play, so yes it might be Foden but it might be Bernardo or Mahrez which is great credit to them."
Total admiration
Monchengladbach boss Marco Rose was more than effusive in his praise for City - and the task facing his players in his pre-match press conference.
Asked if his side could overturn the 2-0 deficit from the first leg, Rose said: "It would be more than extraordinary, it would be a sensation.
"Pep has them playing almost Total Football."
Three cheers...
Watching brief...
Talking tactics
Pep Guardiola has used a number of different formations during his time in charge, but it looks like we can expect his favoured 4-3-3 in Budapest this evening.
The back four is as you'd expect, with Cancelo moving over to left-back as Walker returns on the opposite side.
Skipper Kevin De Bruyne could join Ilkay Gundogan and Rodrigo in midfield, with the Spaniard sitting deepest and allowing his colleagues to thrive further forward.
That would see Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez form the attacking trident though the beauty of Pep's multi talented and flexible squad is that all the players are comfortable switching position!
Magnificent seven 💙
Taylor's MCWFC latest
Live now ☝️
One hour until we kick-off, which means it's time for everyone's favourite matchday show.
Nedum Onuoha and Kevin Horlock are tonight's guests and, as always, you can get involved using #WNRH on Twitter.
Quality street! 👏
Dates for your April diary...
Zinchenko's praise for Gladbach
Oleksandr Zinchenko said he and his City colleagues were full of admiration for the quality of our Bundesliga opponents.
“At this stage, all teams are quite strong and have a lot of quality players. Especially if we are talking about Borussia Monchengladbach.
“They organise well defensively. It is not easy to create chances against these kinds of teams. It is never easy at this stage.
“And, of course, at this stage of the Champions League it is always a tough game. That’s why we have to organise well and do our best.”
Team news and tactics...📃
And here's how Borussia line up...
Here's how we line up tonight... ⚽️
Pep Guardiola makes five changes for tonight’s Champions League clash.
Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez all come into the starting eleven from the side which won 3-0 at Fulham on Saturday.
CITY XI: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, De Bruyne (c), Bernardo, Foden, Mahrez
Subs: Steffen, Carson, Ake, Sterling, Jesus, Aguero, Zinchenko, Laporte, Torres, Mendy, Fernandinho, Garcia
Sizing up the task 👀
Phil Foden, Ferran Torres and Riyad Mahrez check out the Puskas Arena.
Tuning up for Gladbach!
Champions League weather watch...
Picture perfect! 📸
The Puskas Arena in Budapest tonight's big match venue.
Decisions, decisions...
Focus is the key for Guardiola
Pep Guardiola revealed at Monday's pre-match press conference how his team will be aiming for another victory, rather than attempting to protect our 2-0 lead.
“We have to play the game like we did against Fulham and Southampton, not like against United.
“Play and win the game. Focus on winning the game - this is our target.
“I know the quality they have. It starts with Sommer and finishes with Thuram. Like all teams they have had bad moments.
“It is a final. They have nothing to lose. I am sure they will try to overcome the situation.
“I have incredible respect for Gladbach and Marco [Rose]. They have weapons and they know how to use it. I want to see the team try to win the game.
Programmes... get your digital matchday programmes 📰
Home away from home
Quick reminder that though we are playing in Hungary this evening, it is actually our home game.
However, as with last month's first leg, due to COVID-19 regulations in Germany and England it was decided to play the game in Budapest for safety reasons.
Happy anniversary Kinky!
All your matchday essentials!!
Advantage City
Clean bill of health
With the games coming thick and fast, the good news is that Pep Guardilola has a full fit squad to choose from.
With Nathan Ake back in full training after his muscular injury, a 23-man City squad has jetted out to Budapest for the game.
Given the hectic schedule ahead of us we're going to need all the players as we navigate what promises to be a busy and thrilling last two months of the season.
It's your shout! 📱
As always we want to hear your views ahead of the big game.
Do get in touch with us using the hashtag #WNRH and we'll try to include your views on the live show!
TUNE IN 📺
Nedum Onuoha and Kevin Horlock will be tonight's special guests on our We're Not Really Here Matchday show as we take on Borussia Monchengladbach.
The pair - who amassed nearly 350 City appearances between them - will join presenter Cel Spellman in the City TV studio to provide expert analysis and opinion on our Champions League Round of 16 clash.
The pre-match show begins at 19:00 (UK) and our panel will return at half-time for a brief summary of the opening 45 minutes and again at full-time for half an hour of post-match reaction.
And you can watch it all right here in the Matchday Centre – just keep an eye out at the top of this page!
It's matchday! ⚽
Good evening and a very warm welcome to the Matchday Centre for the second leg of Manchester City’s Champions League last 16 tie against Borussia Monchengladbach.
It's a 20:00 (UK) kick-off in Budapest, Hungary and from here on out we’ll have live updates to guide you through the pre-match build-up, match action and post-match reaction.
Pep Guardiola’s side have been in magnificent form and with a 2-0 lead from last month's first leg, hopefully we can secure our ticket through to the quarter-final stage.
Stay tuned to find out!
Pep [on our approach v Gladbach]
“We have to play the game like we did against Fulham and Southampton, not like against United.
“Play and win the game. Focus on winning the game - this is our target.
“I know the quality they have. It starts with Sommer and finishes with Thuram. Like all teams they have had bad moments.
“It is a final. They have nothing to lose. I am sure they will try to overcome the situation.
“I have incredible respect for Gladbach and Marco [Rose]. They have weapons and they know how to use it. I want to see the team try to win the game.”
Pep [on Ake's fitness]
“I want Nathan to be involved as soon as possible. As he can be involved, I want to do it.
Sterling record
Since the start of the 2016-17 season, Raheem Sterling has scored 13 goals in home games in the Champions League (19 appearances) - the most of any player for the club and also the most by an English player in the competition in this period.
CLASS.
Game on
Players fine-tune ahead of the big game
We're Not Really Here
Nedum Onuoha and Kevin Horlock will appear on our We're Not Really Here Matchday show as we take on Borussia Monchengladbach this evening.
The pair - who amassed nearly 350 City appearances between them - will join presenter Cel Spellman in the City TV studio to provide expert analysis and opinion on our Champions League Round of 16 clash.
We head into the second leg with the advantage, after defeating the German side 2-0 in the first game of the tie.
It all starts right here at 18:55 UK time.
Other games that day
As it stood