FC Porto 0-0 Manchester City: Gabriel Jesus objective dismissed as City surface top of group

Manchester City had a late objective versus Porto dismissed however a draw sufficed for them to protect leading area in Champions League Group C.

The remainder of the match saw remarkable goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin and his deep-lying five-man defence take in perpetual pressure from Pep Guardiola’s side, who entered into the match having actually put 5 objectives previous Burnley at the weekend and with a 100% record in the group.

The Argentine keeper made 3 excellent conserves. He two times rejected Spanish forward Ferran Torres, pressing one effort broad of the post in the very first half prior to obstructing a magnificent overhead kick after the break.

Porto’s stopper likewise rejected Raheem Sterling by hurrying out to obstruct his effort on objective. The England winger went close once again when he cut in and fired a low shot which was cleared off the line by Zaidu Sanusi.

The point likewise saw Porto certify from the group.

City kept at bay by wonderful Marchesin

Guardiola was insistent in the accumulation that his side were figured out to win Group C with success at Porto.

He remembered that the Portuguese champs had actually provided his side a stiff test and physical exercise throughout the 3-1 win at Etihad Arena in October, and possibly with all that in mind the Catalan coach selected a strong attack including Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and the in-form Ferran Torres, who was seeking his 4th succeeding objective in the competitors.

However Porto coach Sergio Conceicao likewise understood that if his group might in some way prevent defeat then his own side would likewise certify to the knockout round. So it was not a surprise when the house side established a barrier in front of Marchesin, although the method the keeper performed he might have kept City to nil without a backline.

The Argentine’s conserves from Torres and Sterling were fantastic and likewise revealed fantastic reflexes to press Jesus’ preliminary header onto the bar prior to the Brazilian tapped house.

With Kismet on his side the objective was dismissed after replays revealed Cancelo, who supplied the help, was offside by portions in the accumulation.

Who might keep their location for the video game versus Fulham?

Neither Phil Foden nor Bernardo Silva are presently given names on the team-sheet, although the English child appear the more likelier of the 2 to make Saturday’s XI.

The 20-year-old hugged the left side of the pitch and produced an effervescent screen, establishing Torres in the very first half for his strike which was conserved by the Porto stopper.

Silva was among the heading acts of the group 2 seasons back, however has actually just included in 6 domestic league video games this project. The 26-year-old covered every location of the pitch however appeared to do not have the assaulting conviction he formerly had, and in the very first half got guidelines from his supervisor which appeared to recommend he needs to reveal more endeavour.

Sterling might be more than likely to break back into the side. He did not function versus Burnley, however on Tuesday handled 5 efforts on target, consisting of one shot conserved by Marchesin and an effort cleared off the line.

‘ Huge congratulations to the group’ – response

Manchester City employer Pep Guardiola: ” They are among the very best groups in Portugal with the quality they have. We played remarkably well.

” We came here to complete initially. We had fun with substantial character, with guts. It is difficult with 8 gamers in package – even with that, we developed enough possibilities to win. This is the most crucial thing.

” Huge congratulations to the group for the group phase. In this duration, this year specifically, the Champions League was difficult.

” In all the video games away we have actually played a truly high level. In basic, I am more than thrilled with the efficiency in these video games. We have one left, absolutely nothing to bet, simply to keep the rhythm. Now it is time to forget Champions League and concentrate on the Premier League.”

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao: ” We have actually raised requirements high in the name of Portugal. We revealed great minutes of protective organisation. It was challenging to get up front as we desired, much due to the fact that of City, who respond well when they lose the ball.”

Eighteen shots however no objectives – statistics

• Porto stay winless in their last 6 Champions League video games versus English sides (D2 L4), stopping working to score in 4 of those video games.
• City have actually advanced to the knock-out phases as group winners for the 5th time in the last 6 seasons, just stopping working to do so in 2016-17 (advancing as runners-up to Barcelona).
• Porto have actually ended a run of 14 Champions League house video games without a draw, because September 2016 (1-1 v Copenhagen).
• City have actually kept 4 successive tidy sheets in the Champions League for the very first time, as lots of as they handled in the group phases in their last 2 projects integrated (4).
• Guardiola has actually seen his side draw 0-0 in the Champions League for the very first time in 59 video games because a nil-nil versus Shakhtar Donetsk in February 2015 when supervisor of Bayern Munich.
• City had 18 shots today, their most efforts at objective without scoring in a Champions League match.

What’s next?

City host Fulham on Saturday in the Premier League (15:00 GMT).