Manchester City face a hard battle to qualify for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after their sluggish start to yet another campaign continued with a 1-1 draw at home to AS Roma on Tuesday.
They were denied victory by Francesco Totti when he equalized for Roma in the first half at Etihad Stadium to become the oldest scorer in European club soccer history at 38 years and three days old.
Totti chipped the ball over goalkeeper Joe Hart for his landmark goal after 24 minutes, ensuring City failed to win their first home match in the competition for the fourth successive season — even after they went ahead with a fourth-minute penalty from Sergio Aguero.
Photo: Reuters
City manager Manuel Pellegrini endured a frustrating night against the in-form Italian side, who had won all six matches they had played so far this season in Serie A and the Champions League, and admitted his team now have a tough task to qualify for the last 16.
“We are disappointed to have just one point after playing here at home against a very good team,” Pellegrini told Sky Sports. “It was frustrating because we did not play the way we normally play at the Etihad.”
Despite the experience they have gained since 2011 when they joined Europe’s top table, City appeared not to have learned the lessons of their previous campaigns.
Photo: Reuters
By losing their opening match 1-0 at Bayern Munich and failing to win on Tuesday they are already five points behind Bayern, who top Group E after two wins.
In their three previous campaigns they have drawn at home with SSC Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and lost to Bayern and only once, last season, have they got out of the group stages when they reached the round-of-16 and were beaten by Barcelona.
The slow start to those campaigns cost them dearly and this one is showing every sign of going the same way unless their form in Europe improves dramatically.
With two matches played Bayern have six points, Roma have four, City one and CSKA Moscow none.
Despite making a great start, City allowed Roma to dominate much of the first half and only some excellent goalkeeping from Hart kept them in the game, even though they played marginally better after halftime.
City went ahead when former defender Maicon put his arm around Sergio Aguero and pulled him down, leaving referee Bjorn Kuipers no alternative but to award the penalty.
The Argentine swept home after sending Roma’s stand-in ’keeper Lukasz Skorupski the wrong way.
Hart was then the busier goalie as the Giallorossi took control for long periods, with Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho forcing the England No. 1 into some vital saves.
One subplot saw Frank Lampard come on for the last 33 minutes to face old Chelsea teammate Ashley Cole, now at Roma, but it was Cole who enjoyed the result more.
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