After losing their first Group F match, Manchester City got off the mark at the second attempt against Hoffenheim at the Rheine-Neckar-Arena, in this season’s Champions League.
Early and Late Goals
Though they had a nightmarish begining, when Ishak Belfodil coolly converted a through-ball from Kerem Demirbay, 44 seconds after the match started. . This was the quickest goal City had ever conceded in the competition. This was more shocking after Lyon defeat for City fans, as it would jeopardised City dreams for Champions League 2018-19.
At dying moments of the match, Silva capitalised on an 87th-minute defensive error by Stefan Posch before finishing into the far corner to give his side their first points in the competition this season.
Sane claimed that Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann admitted a penalty should have been awarded to Manchester City during second half, when the match was poised 1-1. Pep Guardiola, though unhappy with the denial, refused to discuss the controversial decision following the victory.
Reactions
Pep Guardiola: “We had a little pressure because of our [opening] result in this competition, when you lose home games it is always tough and hard. After one minute we conceded a goal, it is not easy. The players deserve credit because we fought against absolutely everything for the result, the pressure and many other things.
“Maybe for the future it is going really well for us to live these kinds of situations because you cannot go through quarter-finals and semi-finals without living what today was.”
Julian Nagelsmann: “I have already spoken to Stefan Posch. He played a good game and their goal was not entirely his fault. He’s a young lad and still has things to learn, and he will do that.
“It was extraordinary how we came into the break. We moved forward with possession and created good moments up front. To do that against a team like Man City is something we can really build on.”
