S04 concede seven in Manchester

Caligiuri and Nastasic missing

Ralf Fährmann returned in goal for Schalke – a decision Domenico Tedesco had made public before the game. This meant that Alexander Nübel returned to the bench. S04 were without Daniel Caligiuri (high ankle sprain) and Matija Nastasic, who bruised his foot in the final training session a day before the game.

Agüero scores twice, then Leroy Sané

The first half an hour in the Etihad Stadium was fairly eventless, with both defenses staying strong. Sergio Agüero had the only chance in the opening exchanges, putting his close-range shot past the post. After 35 minutes the Citizens were finally able to celebrate. Agüero chipped his penalty over Fährmann after Bruma had brought down Bernardo Silva in the box. Referee Clement Turpin’s decision was somewhat controversial and the Video assistant also got involved, but the decision to give the penalty was backed up by VAR.

Three minutes after his opening goal, Agüero added a second from a tight angle. The video assistant also checked this goal; Sterling was close to being in an offside position. City continued to press for goals and found a third just before half time (42’). Leroy Sané was played in by Oleksandr Zinchenko and stayed cool to make it 3-0 at the break.

City maintain a high tempo after the restart

After the change of ends, Leroy Sané continued to prove a dangerous outlet for the hosts. Just six minutes after the restart, the Germany international passed up a good opportunity, converting once just 120 seconds later, only to see the goal ruled out for offside. In the 56th minute however, the match official were pointing to the centre circle once again, after Raheem Sterling drilled his first time effort into the back of the net. The goal was reviewed and eventually correctly given.

Manchester City looked to play with more and more freedom as the game progressed. In the 71st minute, one of several fluid moved forward resulted in the fifth goal of the evening, with Leroy Sané once again involved. The former Knappe pulled the ball back towards the edge of the penalty area, where Bernardo Silva dragged his shot in off the post. 18-year-old Phil Foden came on from the bench to complete the hosts’ half-dozen (78’), but it didn’t stop there either. With six minutes remaining, another substitute in Gabriel Jesus rubbed the final pinch of salt into Royal Blue wounds with a seventh for City, making the final score on the night 7-0.

Leipzig up next

The Champions League season is now over for the Knappen. There are still plenty of important points to play for in the Bundesliga, with the next game coming against RB Leipzig on Saturday (16/3, 15:30 CET).