Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Lyon to mark their exit from this year’s UEFA Champions League. Moussa Dembele scored twice from the bench to crush the Cityzens’ dream to lift Europe’s most elite trophy.
After knocking out Real Madrid off the competition, City made some alterations to the side from the Etihad. Kevin De Bruyne was deployed further in the wing while Rodri and Fernandinho both played alongside Gundogan in the midfield. Eric Garcia, who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona also started in the backline.
Manchester City, the heavy favourites to win the game were off-colour right from the kick-off whistle. The Ligue 1 outfit remained compact and were bright on the counter.
Lyon drew first blood after playing out from the back. The side caught Manchester City’s high defensive back-line unaware with a long-ball and were rewarded with a deserving goal through Maxwel Cornet’s precise finish.
While the half-time finished at 1-0, City struggled to find a breakthrough in the early stages of the second half as well. Their persistence was finally rewarded with a goal as Raheem Sterling found Kevin de Bruyne unmarked in the penalty area. The Belgian slotted the ball with ease with 20 minutes left to play.
Manchester City fell prey to Lyon’s substitutions
Former Manchester United winger Memphis Depay was substituted for Moussa Dembele in the 75th minute. The striker only took four minutes to register a goal, which had to be overlooked by the VAR before it was confirmed in favour of the Ligue 1 outfit.
David Silva was brought on in place of Rodri in a bid to find the all-important equalizer, and the side had the goal in sight but Raheem Sterling missed from two-metres out. Lyon duly punished the error with a goal in the next attack, Ederson’s fumble was capitalised by Dembele yet again who netted his second goal in 15 minutes.
Five minutes of added time were not enough for Manchester City to drive the tie into extra time. This defeat marked Manchester City’s exit from the competition in the quarter-final stage for three years in a row now.
With the club having secured the signings of Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake, Guardiola will look to rally his troops yet again for European glory.
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