play pause open close
 
Played
March 15, 2012 8:05 PM GMT
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ T. Hagen‎
Attendance:‬ 38021‎
 
   
 
 

Europa League Player Ratings: Manchester City 3-2 Sporting Lisbon (Agg 3-3)

Sergio Aguero's double and a Balotelli penalty inspire a late comeback but Roberto Mancini's side go out on away goals after first-half strikes from Fernandez and Van Wolfswinkel

By Greg Stobart at Etihad Stadium

  • Joe Hart
    22
    35
    2.50

    Joe Hart

    Could perhaps have done more to stop the first goal, when he stepped behind his wall and could only get a fingertip on Fernandez's free-kick. Went forward in the dying seconds and saw his header saved by Patricio.

  • Micah Richards
    25
    22
    3.00

    Micah Richards

    Struggled defensively against Capel's trickery but was freed after the winger was substituted. Played as a winger in the final minutes and his power was a threat.

  • Aleksandar Kolarov
    33
    34
    2.50

    Aleksandar Kolarov

    The Serbian went missing in the build-up to Sporting's second goal and didn't provide his usual threat in attack with surprisingly poor deliveries.

  • Stefan  Savic
    15
    36
    2.50

    Stefan Savic

    Showed decent anticipation of times but always looked liable to make a mistake and didn't communicate well with the rest of the defence.

  • Kolo Toure
    17
    23
    3.00

    Kolo Toure

    City's captain for the night and did a reasonable job, although he didn't track Van Wolfswinkel for the Portuguese side's second goal.

  • David Pizarro
    18
    34
    2.50

    David Pizarro

    The Chilean constantly demanded the ball and played neat, accurate passes from a deep-lying position. Sometimes frustrated the City fans with the quality of his final ball. Replaced by Dzeko in the 55th minute.

  • Adam Johnson
    12
    54
    2.00

    Adam Johnson

    Early volley wide was the only highlight before he was hauled off at half-time. Lacked attacking penetration and didn't track back defensively.

  • David Silva
    21
    38
    2.50

    David Silva

    The Spaniard looked classy when he got on the ball but was starved of time and space but some excellent Sporting defending. Replaced by Nasri on 66 minutes.

  • Yaya Touré
    49
    16
    3.50

    Yaya Touré

    Kept City ticking in midfield but lacked his usual drive until the final 20 minutes. Good ball to Aguero to start the comeback.

  • Sergio Agüero
    103
    27
    4.00

    Sergio Agüero

    Dragged City back into the tie with a sharply taken goal and a poacher's finish from close range either side of winning the penalty. Wonderful display of skill and character from the Argentine.

  • Mario Balotelli
    31
    81
    3.00

    Mario Balotelli

    Sulked his way through the first half but was far more of a threat after the break. Effortlessly stroked home City's second goal from the spot before heading just wide in the final minutes.

Substitutions

  • Samir Nasri
    38
    23
    3.00

    Samir Nasri

    Replaced Silva in the 66th minute and his fresh legs made a difference as City played their way back into the tie.

  • Nigel De Jong
    31
    18
    3.00

    Nigel De Jong

    Strange half-time replacement for Johnson - but it worked. Sat in midfield while his team-mates bombed forward in the the last half-hour.

  • Edin  Dzeko
    103
    22
    3.00

    Edin Dzeko

    The Bosnian came on for Pizarro in the 55th minute and enabled City to play more direct late on. Won the flick on for Aguero's second goal and himself headed off target when unmarked.

  • Rui Patricio
    23
    8
    3.50

    Rui Patricio

    Looked shaky under crosses but avoided making any howlers and could do nothing about the City goals. Very good save to keep out Hart's header in the final attack of the game.

  • Daniel Carrico
    8
    6
    3.00

    Daniel Carrico

    Solid defensively as he kept a close eye on the City forwards' movement.

  • Polga
    7
    6
    3.00

    Polga

    Impressive anticipation, especially in the first half as he kept Balotelli quiet and made some important blocks.

  • Emiliano Insúa
    11
    5
    3.00

    Emiliano Insúa

    The former Liverpool man produced a strong display, defending with alertness and working well on the counter-attack, especially in the first half.

  • Xandão
    5
    7
    2.50

    Xandão

    Towering in the air but looked less comfortable when City upped the tempo and played with more purpose. Early header from a corner drifted just wide of the post.

  • Stijn Schaars
    6
    5
    3.00

    Stijn Schaars

    Busy and committed in central midfield, always closing down City players and used the ball well.

  • Marat Nailevich Izmailov
    16
    5
    3.50

    Marat Nailevich Izmailov

    The Russian provided an effective outlet on the right side of Sporting's attack and produced a fine cross for Van Wolfswinkel's goal.

  • Diego Capel
    9
    5
    3.00

    Diego Capel

    Quick and tricky on the counter-attack in the first half, when he caused problems for Richards. Not the most disciplined defensively and was replaced by Jeffren Suarez in the 63rd minute.

  • M. Fernández
    27
    5
    3.50

    M. Fernández

    Opened the scoring with a stunning free-kick in the 33rd that was struck with swerve and power. Eye-catching technical ability but booked for an awful dive before being replaced by Neto in the 63rd minute.

  • Bruno Pereirinha
    7
    7
    2.50

    Bruno Pereirinha

    Tenacious display first in central midfield but looked less confident when he dropped back into defence late on.

  • Ricky  van Wolfswinkel
    20
    8
    3.50

    Ricky van Wolfswinkel

    Put Sporting two goals ahead five minutes before the break with a predatory finish from close range. Tidy with his back to goal but didn't get any more sights on goal. Replaced by Carrillo in the 68th minute.

Substitutions

  • Renato Neto
    4
    8
    2.50

    Renato Neto

    Replaced Fernandez on the 63rd minute and conceded the penalty with a clumsy challenge on Aguero - even if the contact was minimal.

  • Jeffrén Suárez
    17
    4
    3.00

    Jeffrén Suárez

    Lively replacement for Capel in the 63rd minute.

  • A. Carrillo
    7
    7
    2.50

    A. Carrillo

    Came on for Van Wolfswinkel in the 68th minute but wasn't able to keep the ball and relieve the pressure.

Results
 
Player Ratings
Tournament
Position
Ranking
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Libor Kozák Libor Kozák
Striker
Lazio
10 0
Ó. Cardozo Ó. Cardozo
Striker
Benfica
8 3
Rodrigo Palacio Rodrigo Palacio
Striker
Inter
8 0
Eto'o Eto'o
Striker
Anji Makhachkal
7 2
Edinson  Cavani Edinson Cavani
Striker
Napoli
7 2