Match ends, Manchester City 1, Roma 1.
- Man City pick up first point in Group E
- Sergio Aguero scores fourth-minute penalty
- Francesco Totti equalises for Roma aged 38 and three days
- Totti becomes oldest scorer in European cups
Manchester City discovered how hard they will have to fight to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase after they were held to a draw by Roma at Etihad Stadium.
Sergio Aguero's penalty put City ahead in the fourth minute but veteran Francesco Totti set the Serie A runners-up on the way to a fully deserved point when he became the oldest player to score in the Champions League with a clever equaliser before half-time.
At 38 years and three days, he eclipsed Manchester United's Ryan Giggs and left City still searching for their first win in Group E following their opening defeat by Bayern Munich in Germany.
City will still feel confident of qualification from a group also containing CSKA Moskow but, with Bayern favourites after two wins, Roma have demonstrated they will pose a serious threat to their aspirations of moving out of this tough section as Manuel Pellegrini's side still have to visit Italy.
Former Italy attacker Totti may be in the twilight of his marvellous career but he showed a guile and composure that often proved beyond City, who still seem to be searching for a self-belief in this competition that equates to the stature of the players in their squad.
Man City lack Champions League belief |
---|
"Manchester City's squad is awash with talent and yet the players seem unable to cast off the cloak of inhibition when it comes to the Champions League. For a team so packed with experience, assembled at great expense by an ownership of high ambition, City's struggle remains a mystery." |
Read more from chief football writer Phil McNulty |
Roma, despite missing injured powerhouses Kevin Strootman and Daniele De Rossi, were combative in midfield and showed the sort of pace in attack that will trouble City in the return meeting.
And in former England defender Ashley Cole, they have an accomplished player still more than capable of holding his own in the Champions League.
City battled manfully but struggled to find the drive and quality to break down Roma, whose fans were far more satisfied at the final whistle than the home side's followers.
As expected, City goalkeeper Joe Hart was recalled after being rested for two games, but the first action came at the other end as the hosts took the lead from the penalty spot inside four minutes.
Former City defender Maicon senselessly dragged Aguero back as he raced into the area. The veteran Brazilian looked mystified but his protests fell on deaf ears and Aguero sent Lukasz Skorupski the wrong way.
If City thought this would smooth their path, Roma had other ideas and Maicon should have equalised almost immediately when he raced on to Totti's pass and hammered a rising shot against the bar from an angle.
Totti takes record from Giggs |
---|
Until Francesco Totti scored against Manchester City, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs held the record as the oldest man to score in European club football |
Giggs was 37 and 289 days when he scored for United in a 1-1 draw with Benfica in a Champions League group game in September 2011 |
Roma kept coming, however, and the equaliser they deserved duly arrived after 20 minutes. Totti was sent clear by Radja Nainggolan's pass and took advantage of an unfortunate slip by Hart as he came off his line, showing wonderful touch and technique to score with a lofted finish.
It had been an anxious first 45 minutes for City and their fans, with Pellegrini opting to introduce more solidity at the start of the second half by introducing James Milner for Jesus Navas.
There was no immediate impact on Roma as Hart blocked crucially from Miralem Pjanic, and the keeper was relieved to see the same player's curling 25-yard shot drift inches wide seconds later.
Pellegrini felt the need to add further experience after 56 minutes when Frank Lampard replaced the subdued Edin Dzeko - and he almost added to his tally of four goals in the past 10 days with a low shot that was turned aside by Skorupski.
As Roma's efforts took their toll in the closing minutes, David Silva almost grabbed a winner, but he could only turn Pablo Zabaleta's cross wide at the near post.
Line-ups
Man City
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Hart
- 5ZabaletaBooked at 55mins
- 4Kompany
- 26Demichelis
- 22Clichy
- 15NavasSubstituted forMilnerat 45'minutes
- 25Fernandinho
- 42Y Touré
- 21Silva
- 10DzekoSubstituted forLampardat 57'minutes
- 16AgüeroSubstituted forJoveticat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Sagna
- 7Milner
- 11Kolarov
- 13Caballero
- 18Lampard
- 20Mangala
- 35Jovetic
Roma
Formation 4-3-3
- 28Skorupski
- 13SisenandoBooked at 4minsSubstituted forTorosidisat 89'minutes
- 44Manolas
- 2Yanga-Mbiwa
- 3Cole
- 15Pjanic
- 20Keita
- 4NainggolanBooked at 81mins
- 27Kouassi
- 10TottiSubstituted forIturbeat 72'minutes
- 24FlorenziSubstituted forHolebasat 83'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Iturbe
- 8Ljajic
- 12Curci
- 22Destro
- 25Holebas
- 32Paredes
- 35Torosidis
- Referee:
- Björn Kuipers
- Attendance:
- 37,509
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home61%
- Away39%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away4
- Corners
- Home7
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away16
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Manchester City 1, Roma 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Stevan Jovetic (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by James Milner.
Post update
Attempt missed. Stevan Jovetic (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Martín Demichelis.
Post update
Attempt missed. David Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Pablo Zabaleta with a cross.
Post update
Hand ball by James Milner (Manchester City).
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Roma. Vasilis Torosidis replaces Maicon.
Post update
Delay in match Maicon (Roma) because of an injury.
Post update
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Juan Iturbe.
Post update
Corner, Roma. Conceded by Vincent Kompany.
Substitution
Substitution, Manchester City. Stevan Jovetic replaces Sergio Agüero.
Post update
Attempt missed. Frank Lampard (Manchester City) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by David Silva.
Substitution
Substitution, Roma. José Holebas replaces Alessandro Florenzi.
Post update
Attempt missed. David Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Fernandinho.
Booking
Radja Nainggolan (Roma) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
David Silva (Manchester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Post update
Foul by Radja Nainggolan (Roma).
Post update
Attempt missed. David Silva (Manchester City) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Manchester City. Conceded by Seydou Keita.