Sobering defeat for Man City in Munich




Manchester City suffered a demoralising 2-0 defeat at Bayern Munich in Group A of the Champions League as a Mario Gomez brace and an eruption of disunity on the City bench made for a difficult night at the Allianz Arena.

Enjoying a fine start to the season domestically, City were unfortunate to be denied an early spot-kick in Germany when former employee Jerome Boateng brought down David Silva in the box, but Bayern responded and Gomez took his tally for the season to 11 goals in nine games when twice exploiting some slack defending, much to the fury of Joe Hart.

A fractious evening for City continued in the second half when Mancini became engaged in a row with Edin Dzeko following his perplexing decision to replace the striker with Nigel De Jong. Carlos Tevez was also reported to be a picture of discontent on the bench, even apparently refusing to come on as a substitute, as the second half completely passed City by.

Bayern, though, were imperious, with Franck Ribery particularly impressive as they enjoyed a 10th successive victory in all competitions to stay top of Group A with maximum points from two games.
Indeed, after extending their run without conceding to 928 minutes and exercising complete control over the second half, Bayern could be content with a fine victory that gave the Oktoberfest revellers further reason to celebrate. City, meanwhile, have plenty to ponder after a sobering experience that leaves them with one point from two games.

Tuesday's encounter was the first meeting between one of Europe's established grandees, who had won the competition four times, and a club in City that hope to be accepted amongst the elite after elbowing their way into the Champions League courtesy of Sheikh Mansour's billions. Their previous experience of the competition resulted in a premature exit in 1968.

However, it was City who looked the more accomplished side in the opening exchanges and they should have had a penalty inside four minutes. Former City defender Boateng clearly caught Silva's trailing leg when sliding in recklessly in the box but a spot-kick was mysteriously not awarded. Denied, Silva jumped to his feet to play the ball to Samir Nasri and the Frenchman saw his effort blocked.
Inside a minute City threatened again as the marauding Micah Richards steamed down the right and squared for Dzeko. The former Wolfsburg striker, so potent during his time in the Bundesliga, could only test Manuel Neuer with a weak effort though.

Bayern looked strangely reserved in front of their home supporters, especially for a side enjoying a nine-game winning streak, and were exposed again when Richards played a one-two with Sergio Aguero before driving into the box and falling to ground under contact from Boateng, again. Richards's theatrical fall probably denied him a deserved spot-kick.

But Bayern sprang to life, largely thanks to the figure of Ribery, who has been a man rejuvenated under Jupp Heynckes in the early weeks of the new season. He tested Hart with one low effort and then skipped away from Gareth Barry to tee up Thomas Mueller for another as he, and Bayern with him, grew in stature.
Bayern's first decent chance came on 37 minutes when a slack pass from Barry allowed the German giants to break and find themselves with five attackers to City's three defenders. Mueller whipped in a low cross to the near post but Bastian Schweinsteiger lifted the ball over the bar from close range when he should have scored.

Inside 60 seconds, Bayern did take the lead though. Ribery ghosted in from the left wing and produced a fierce effort that Hart could only parry. The goalkeeper then produced a brilliant reflex save to deny Mueller from the rebound and with the City defenders static, Gomez was left free to tuck the ball home at the third attempt.

As Bayern began to swarm confidently around the City box Vincent Kompany was fortunate not to concede a penalty with half-time approaching when blocking off Ribery and making no attempt to win the ball. No matter, though, as Bayern did score a second in injury time.
Toni Kroos saw his free-kick flicked on by Daniel van Buyten and after Hart made another fine stop, Gomez was on hand once again to sneak the ball in at the near post. Hart, who had more than fulfilled his obligations for both goals, was absolutely and understandably furious with his inattentive defence as City trudged in 2-0 down at the break.

City could do little to change their fortunes and on 55 minutes Mancini made a curious substitution when removing Dzeko for De Jong, making his first appearance since August 15 after returning from injury. The Bosnian striker was absolutely furious with the decision and had words with Mancini before casting his tracksuit to the ground, before substitute Tevez also became involved in heated discussions.
As tempers flared on the City bench, Bayern's dominance went unchecked on the pitch and Gomez could have claimed a hat-trick when he met a cross from Lahm with an intelligent run and an attempted flick with the outside of his boot. Hart watched the ball fly out, relieved.

The City goalkeeper then made a fine save to prevent Gomez from claiming a hat-trick with a header from another Kroos free-kick, with Mueller failing to tap home at the back post from the rebound to underline Bayern's dominance.

Tom Adams - follow me on twitter @tomEurosport / Eurosport