Manchester City 2 v Aalborg BK 0
March 12th 2009 UEFA Cup att. 24,596
City go to Denmark for the second leg of this UEFA Cup tie with a two goal lead. It should have been more as several chances were missed and City were denied a penalty late in the first half. While City did not play quite up to the first half form they displayed against Villa they were still far superior to the Danish side and it was difficult to see how they managed a draw at Old Trafford and a 6-1 aggregate win against Deportivo. Shaun Wright-Phillips scored one of best goals and the defence was again well organized with Richards and Dunne returning to their best form. Zabaleta worked hard standing in for Kompany in defence leaving Ireland and Elano to join Robinho in some skilful linking. Swift counter-attacking play is now a more than useful ploy for City even without the speed of Bellamy. Good to see young Caicedo score and his strength helped him notch his goal which will lift his confidence and self belief. Robinho had a good first half but like some of the others was guilty of showboating in the second half when this tie should have been put well beyond the reach of Aalborg. What a shame there was another poor crowd.
A back pass header caused an early problem for Given but he was quick enough to beat Caca to the ball
A small but noisy contingent had come from Denmark
City were under strength with the absence of the injured Kompany and Bellamy but Robinho returned after injury
A good defensive splitting pass by Robinho almost put SWP through but he was just beaten by the keeper
After 6 minutes a defensive error led to great linking between SWP and Caicedo but the latter's final effort just went over the bar
A minute or so later City took the lead. Robinho passed to Caicedo who beat his marker and slotted the ball.........
...........past Zaza to score his 4th goal of the season. Jubilation all round! An early lead. Just what the doctor ordered!
Wright-Phillips was once again proving a problem for defenders.
Zabeleta heads clear. He was doing well playing the Kompany role just in front of the back four
After 19 minutes Johansson had a chance but his shot was blocked by Richards
Shortly afterwards Given did well to block a shot by Caca
On 27 minutes a free kick by Elano was headed wide by Onuoha
a minute or so later Robinho who might have shot found a breaking Richards who had his effort foiled by the keeper
On the half hour mark City went further ahead. Ireland passed to SWP who came inside his marker and .......
...........brilliantly crashed the ball past Zaza into the back of the net and duly celebrated with his team mates.
Immediately City almost conceded an away goal. An misplaced pass by Elano went straight to Augustinussen who tried to sidefoot the ball past Given but it went just past the post. Phew!
On 39 minutes Ireland put Robinho away on the right . He beat Due and Zaza knew little about Robinho's shot from close range.
Just before half time City should have had a penalty when Robinho was brought down following a corner. He baffled Beauchamp with his footwork before being tripped so we had to make do with 2-0 at half time
Zaza fists away a corner from Elano
Onuoha heads just over the bar from another corner from Elano
SWP practices his high jump again
After 55 minutes a good move ended with Robinho having his shot blocked by the keeper
On 65 minutes Robinho got into a good position down the right but his centre was cleared by the visitors defence
Richards almost scores but the flag had gone up for offside
With only 4 minutes to go City concede a free kick in a dangerous position......
...... but fortunately for the blues the ball flies over the wall and over the bar !
Team
Given 7: Richards 8.5, Dunne 8.5, Onuoha 8, Bridge 7.5: Zabaleta 7.5, Wright Phillips 8.5 ( Etuhu) Elano 7.5, Ireland 8.5, Robinho 8, Caicedo 7.5 (Evans 7)
