On November 25, 2014, Manchester City faced Bayern Munich in a crucial UEFA Champions League Group E match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester. In a dramatic encounter, Manchester City secured a 3-2 victory, keeping their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages alive.
Key Statistics and Analysis
- Scoreline and Goal Timings:
- Manchester City: 3 (Sergio Agüero 21′ (pen.), 85′, 90′)
- Bayern Munich: 2 (Xabi Alonso 40′, Robert Lewandowski 45′)
- Possession:
- Bayern Munich dominated possession with 61%, while Manchester City had 39%. Despite Bayern’s control of the ball, Manchester City’s effective counter-attacks and clinical finishing allowed them to secure the victory.
- Shots:
- Manchester City registered 13 shots, with 8 on target, showcasing their efficiency in front of goal. Bayern Munich managed 12 shots, with 5 on target, reflecting their ability to create chances despite being a man down for most of the match.
- Passing Accuracy:
- Bayern Munich had a passing accuracy of 89%, completing 670 passes out of 754 attempts. Manchester City had a passing accuracy of 81%, completing 373 passes out of 462 attempts. Bayern’s superior passing statistics underscored their dominance in possession, but City’s direct approach was more effective in this match.
- Defensive Statistics:
- Manchester City made 20 tackles compared to Bayern Munich’s 10, highlighting City’s efforts to disrupt Bayern’s rhythm and regain possession. Bayern’s defense, missing key players, struggled to cope with City’s counter-attacks, particularly in the closing stages.
- Set Pieces:
- The first goal came from a penalty for Manchester City. In the 21st minute, Sergio Agüero was fouled in the box by Medhi Benatia, who was subsequently sent off. Agüero converted the penalty, giving City an early lead. Bayern Munich responded with two goals in quick succession before halftime: Xabi Alonso equalized with a low free-kick in the 40th minute, and Robert Lewandowski put Bayern ahead in the 45th minute with a header.
- Individual Performances:
- Sergio Agüero was the standout performer for Manchester City, scoring a hat-trick and leading his team to a crucial victory. His pace, movement, and finishing were pivotal, especially in the final moments of the game. For Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski were key contributors, with Alonso controlling the midfield and Lewandowski providing a goal that almost secured a win for Bayern.
- Tactical Overview:
- Manchester City, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, employed a 4-4-2 formation, focusing on quick transitions and capitalizing on Bayern’s defensive vulnerabilities after they were reduced to 10 men. Bayern Munich, under Pep Guardiola, used a 3-4-3 formation, maintaining possession and pressing high despite being a man down. However, City’s ability to counter-attack efficiently and Agüero’s clinical finishing proved decisive.
- Disciplinary:
- The match saw four yellow cards and one red card. Bayern Munich’s Medhi Benatia was sent off in the 21st minute for his foul on Agüero that led to the penalty. City’s Martín Demichelis and Fernandinho, along with Bayern’s Jerome Boateng and Juan Bernat, were booked for tactical fouls and dissent.
- Corners and Offsides:
- Bayern Munich won 7 corners compared to Manchester City’s 2, reflecting their territorial advantage. Both teams were caught offside twice, indicating their attempts to break through the opposition’s defensive lines.
Summary
Manchester City’s 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich was a crucial result that kept their UEFA Champions League hopes alive. Despite being outplayed for much of the match and trailing 2-1 going into the final minutes, City’s never-say-die attitude and Sergio Agüero’s brilliance turned the game on its head.
Bayern Munich, despite being reduced to 10 men early on, showed their quality by taking the lead through goals from Xabi Alonso and Robert Lewandowski. However, as the game progressed, City’s resilience and direct play began to pay off. Agüero’s equalizer in the 85th minute set the stage for a dramatic finale, and his winner in the 90th minute secured all three points for City.
The result was a significant boost for Manchester City, who needed the win to stay in contention for the knockout stages. For Bayern Munich, the defeat was a setback, but they had already secured their place in the next round, allowing them to focus on recovering and maintaining their form in other competitions.
This match is remembered for Sergio Agüero’s hat-trick and his ability to deliver in crucial moments, cementing his status as one of Europe’s top strikers at the time.
