Played
October 24, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
Amsterdam ArenA — Amsterdam
Referee: S. Moen
Attendance: 45743
October 24, 2012 2:45 PM EDT
Amsterdam ArenA — Amsterdam
Referee: S. Moen
Attendance: 45743
Top of the Match
Christian Eriksen
Ajax
Ajax
Christian Eriksen
Ajax
Ajax
Flop of the Match
Joleon Lescott
Manchester City
Manchester City
Roberto Mancini
Manchester City
Manchester City
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Ajax 3-1 Manchester City: Mancini's men on brink of Champions League exit
Nasri handed City the lead after a slow start at the Amsterdam ArenA, but goals from De Jong, Moisander and a deflected Eriksen effort have left City's European hopes in tatters
By John Stammers
Manchester City's chances of Champions League progression suffered a huge blow on Wednesday night after it was defeated 3-1 by Ajax in a crucial Group D clash.
The visitors took their time to grow into the tie but made no mistake with their first opportunity - Samir Nasri slotting home. However, Siem de Jong netted a superb equalizer on the stroke of halftime to send Roberto Mancini's men into the break with a bitter taste in their mouths.
After a cautious start to the second 45, the Dutch side took the lead through Niklas Moisander before Christian Eriksen inflicted further pain with a deflected shot to bag the third, condemning City to a disappointing blow.
The result gives the Dutch giants their first victory in this year's group stage, while City has just one point from three matches and faces a mountain to climb to escape this season's 'Group of Death.'
Eden Dzeko was handed a start after his last minute winner against West Brom at the weekend, with Sergio Aguero partnering him in attack. Elsewhere, James Milner kept his place in the side despite being sent off against the Baggies.
The hosts made the brighter start, keeping the ball with ease and working the first chance of the game just before the 10 minute mark, but Eriksen fired narrowly wide of Joe Hart's post.
The dangerous Eriksen then flattened Yaya Toure with a hefty challenge, leaving the Ivorian down but not out, before the Dane made his mark in a different way, once more going close with a long-range effort after producing a delightful touch to set himself up.
However, somewhat against the run of play, Mancini's men took the lead in the 23rd minute. Micah Richards fed Milner with a beautifully weighted ball, with the midfielder passing it on to Nasri who opened his body to curl a shot past Kenneth Vermeer.
Aguero then twice found himself with space in the box, and may well have doubled the lead if it wasn't for two last-ditch tackles, before, five minutes later, Vermeer made a fine save from Richards as the Premier League champions settled.
With halftime approaching City was made to pay for failing to press on. Ricardo van Rhijn delivered with a low cross from the right, picking out De Jong's run and allowing the midfielder to smash a first-time effort into the corner, giving Hart absolutely no chance and sending the teams into the break on level terms.
The visitors almost made the perfect start to the second period. Aguero broke into the Ajax box and, as Vermeer rushed out, tried to find a teammate in the area but saw his chipped cross cleared.
However, after a quiet 15 minutes or so, the exact opposite happened. Eriksen whipped in a fantastic corner from the right-hand side, with Moisander beating Joleon Lescott in the air to nod it past a helpless Hart.
Things went from bad to worse for Mancini, minutes after replacing Lescott with Aleksandar Kolarov and switching to a back three. The Dutch outfit's man of the match, Eriksen, embarked on a twisting run before unleashing a left-footed effort. The ball struck Gael Clichy on its way into the goal, once again giving Hart no chance.
Tobia Sana then had a golden chance to put his side further ahead, Hart rushing off his line very quickly to smother the one-on-one. Then, as City rushed forward, Dzeko squandered two opportunities to give the visitors a lifeline - the Bosnian hesitating slightly on both occasions which allowed Vermeer to make the blocks.
For the final 15 minutes or so Mancini's side seemed to be playing with just two men at the back and two in midfield, with Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez both thrown into the fray.
Nasri had a weak penalty appeal turned down and Aguero shot narrowly over, but ultimately there was no breakthrough and Ajax held firm to secure its first win of the tournament, leaving City in big trouble.
The visitors took their time to grow into the tie but made no mistake with their first opportunity - Samir Nasri slotting home. However, Siem de Jong netted a superb equalizer on the stroke of halftime to send Roberto Mancini's men into the break with a bitter taste in their mouths.
After a cautious start to the second 45, the Dutch side took the lead through Niklas Moisander before Christian Eriksen inflicted further pain with a deflected shot to bag the third, condemning City to a disappointing blow.
The result gives the Dutch giants their first victory in this year's group stage, while City has just one point from three matches and faces a mountain to climb to escape this season's 'Group of Death.'
Eden Dzeko was handed a start after his last minute winner against West Brom at the weekend, with Sergio Aguero partnering him in attack. Elsewhere, James Milner kept his place in the side despite being sent off against the Baggies.
The hosts made the brighter start, keeping the ball with ease and working the first chance of the game just before the 10 minute mark, but Eriksen fired narrowly wide of Joe Hart's post.
The dangerous Eriksen then flattened Yaya Toure with a hefty challenge, leaving the Ivorian down but not out, before the Dane made his mark in a different way, once more going close with a long-range effort after producing a delightful touch to set himself up.
However, somewhat against the run of play, Mancini's men took the lead in the 23rd minute. Micah Richards fed Milner with a beautifully weighted ball, with the midfielder passing it on to Nasri who opened his body to curl a shot past Kenneth Vermeer.
Aguero then twice found himself with space in the box, and may well have doubled the lead if it wasn't for two last-ditch tackles, before, five minutes later, Vermeer made a fine save from Richards as the Premier League champions settled.
With halftime approaching City was made to pay for failing to press on. Ricardo van Rhijn delivered with a low cross from the right, picking out De Jong's run and allowing the midfielder to smash a first-time effort into the corner, giving Hart absolutely no chance and sending the teams into the break on level terms.
The visitors almost made the perfect start to the second period. Aguero broke into the Ajax box and, as Vermeer rushed out, tried to find a teammate in the area but saw his chipped cross cleared.
However, after a quiet 15 minutes or so, the exact opposite happened. Eriksen whipped in a fantastic corner from the right-hand side, with Moisander beating Joleon Lescott in the air to nod it past a helpless Hart.
Things went from bad to worse for Mancini, minutes after replacing Lescott with Aleksandar Kolarov and switching to a back three. The Dutch outfit's man of the match, Eriksen, embarked on a twisting run before unleashing a left-footed effort. The ball struck Gael Clichy on its way into the goal, once again giving Hart no chance.
Tobia Sana then had a golden chance to put his side further ahead, Hart rushing off his line very quickly to smother the one-on-one. Then, as City rushed forward, Dzeko squandered two opportunities to give the visitors a lifeline - the Bosnian hesitating slightly on both occasions which allowed Vermeer to make the blocks.
For the final 15 minutes or so Mancini's side seemed to be playing with just two men at the back and two in midfield, with Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez both thrown into the fray.
Nasri had a weak penalty appeal turned down and Aguero shot narrowly over, but ultimately there was no breakthrough and Ajax held firm to secure its first win of the tournament, leaving City in big trouble.
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Goal
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Goal.com Rating
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
12 | 0 |
|
Robert Lewandowski Striker Borussia Dortmund |
10 | 1 |
|
Thomas Müller Striker FC Bayern München |
8 | 1 |
|
Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
8 | 0 |
|
Burak Yılmaz Striker Galatasaray |
8 | 0 |
