Roberto
Mancini obviously knows the Maths well. 3 points are vital to qualifying in the
group of death regardless of the outcome at Madrid. England trio James Milner,
Johan Lescott and Micah Richards were dropped, so was bench specialist Edin Dzeko.
Mancini employed a 4-2-2-2 formation, pairing up Tevez and Aguero with the
support of Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri.
In
the do-or-die match, Manchester City's terrible 1st half performance put them
on the back foot. There was lack of energy and intensity. Organisation at both
ends of the field was poor. With Javi Garcia sitting deep in midfield, Gareth
Barry could not define his own position and was often found running aimlessly.
Ajax did not find their opponents hard to defend with the lack of width and
teamwork. As a defender himself, Frank De Boer found the magic to neutralise a
team which Ajax's winger Ryan Babel commented as a group of great individual
but could not play as a team.
What
made worse was the collapse of Mancini's proudest department --- defence. Two
poorly coordinated corner defence left De Jong unmark and beat the innocent Joe
Hart from close range twice. Just as Mancini was finding the white flag in his
pocket, Yaya Toure reduced the deficit with an impromptu back-to-the-goal volley.
Individual excellence kept Manchester City's hope alive.
At
ultimate desperation, Mancini turned to Mario Balotelli. With Javi Garcia
removed, Barry was more settled and Manchester City eventually took control of
the game tempo with the more invasive formation. Ajax attempted to contain with
team effort but often found themselves struggle to get out of their own half.
The better attacking plays were never converted, with Aguero twice disappointed
the fans with boot slips near the box. Meanwhile, De Jong was marginally close
to complete his hat trick but was denied twice by Joe Hart.
Just
as if the experience of Christian Poulsen had helped stabilise Ajax, and De
Jong and Eriksen were able to see more of the ball, Manchester City constructed
a simple but important leveller. A long goal kick, Baloetelli's flicked header
and Aguero's right foot shot reignited the hope in Etihad Stadium.
15
minutes to go and with the deflated and tired Ajax, fans started to recall last
season's dramatic scene of Aguero's last minute title-winning strike.
Nevertheless, it was officials rather than goalkeeper Vermeer standing in their
way. Aguero's goal was disallowed when linesman judged another substitute
Kolarov was offside before his delivery. The last minute shirt-pulling incident
involving Balotelli in the box was neglected as well by the referee.
It would be another furious press conference
for Roberto Mancini, but in truth Manchester City was never the team who
deserved to win. The point earned at home extends their Mission
Impossible to Germany. A much better and convincing performance is in need for
a victory over Dortmund next game week.
By The Linesman
Twitter: LinesmanBlog
