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Borussia Monchengladbach logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 30, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

1-2

Stindl (54')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Otamendi (65'), Aguero (90' pen.)

Player Ratings: Borussia Monchengladbach 1-2 Manchester City

Sports Mole rates every performance as Manchester City claim a 2-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in Group D.

Manchester City claimed a crucial Champions League win as Sergio Aguero's 90th-minute penalty earned them a 2-1 win over Borussia Monchengladbach this evening.

Joe Hart saved a Raffael penalty to keep City on level terms in an enthralling opening 45 minutes, before the hosts took the lead when Lars Stindl fired home early in the second half.

Nicolas Otamendi scored the equaliser for the visitors, and it was Aguero who clinched the points after winning the penalty late on.

Below, Sports Mole rates every performance from a thrilling Group D encounter.


BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH

Monchengladbach's midfielder Lars Stindl celebrates scoring with his team-mates during the UEFA Champions League first-leg Group D football match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City in Monchengladbach, western Germany on September 30, 201© Getty Images

Goal

Yann Sommer: Certainly not at fault in a disappointing finish, and he made a couple of excellent saves when City threatened in the first half. (7/10)

Defence

Oscar Wendt: Invited too much pressure with his eagerness to take extra touches in dangerous positions. Unable to get forward as much as he would have liked. (5/10)

Andreas Christensen: A coming of age performance from the 19-year-old on loan at the club from Chelsea. He will be frustrated to finish on the losing side, but the centre-back was excellent throughout the evening as he made it difficult for Aguero to find space. (8/10)

Alvaro Dominguez: Worked incredibly hard to clear the crosses which were sent into the box on a regular basis. Made vital interceptions, but his efforts would count for nothing. (7/10)

Julian Korb: Provided the cross for the opening goal after making a good run off the ball, but he made a few mistakes when City pushed back before being replaced. (6/10)

Midfield

Granit Xhaka: A mature performance from the Swiss midfielder. Started a number of Gladbach attacks with his passes from deep and never abandoned his defensive duties. (7/10)

Mahmoud Dahoud: Displayed an impressive work-rate to hurry Yaya Toure in possession on a number of occasions in the first half, but he struggled to get on the ball as much as he would have liked. (6/10)

Patrick Herrmann: Earned his reputation for what he does in the final third of he pitch and he was bright on the ball, but he also helped his teammates out with some excellent work going in the opposite direction. (7/10)

Fabian Johnson: A disappointing evening for the USA international. Often on the fringes of the game when Gladbach attacked and he gifted City the late penalty with a poor tackle on Aguero (5/10)

Lars Stindl: Switched from a second striker to a playmaker in the middle of the pitch with apparent ease. Moved the ball at pace and linked play impressively. Opened the scoring with a calm finish. (8/10)

Attack

Raffael: Certain to be thinking about the missed penalty for the next couple of nights, but it was a superb display from the Brazilian as he led almost every Gladbach break with his pace and trickery. A constant threat to the City defence. (8/10)

Substitutes

Andre Hahn: Might have tested Hart when he delayed with the shot in the box and struggled to make the impact his manager wanted. (5/10)

Ibrahima Traore: Added extra pace to the Gladbach attacks and looked lively on the ball. (6/10)

Havard Nordtveit: A passenger in the closing stages as Gladbach tried, and failed, to hold on for the point. (5/10)


MANCHESTER CITY

Manchester City's Argentinian forward Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions League first-leg Group D football match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City in Monchengladbach, western Germany on September 30, 2015© Getty Images

Goal

Joe Hart: Always seems to produce his best in the Champions League and this was another superb performance. Kept out a penalty and made a string of other brilliant stops to frustrate the hosts. (9/10)

Defence

Bacary Sagna: One of the better performers in the early weeks of the season, but he was below his best at both ends of the pitch. Frustrated with his failure to deliver the ball into the box. (5/10)

Martin Demichelis: Should have been awarded a goal when his volley crossed the line a few seconds before the equaliser, but his defensive performance was the big story. Caught out of position on too many occasions and never looked comfortable against Raffael. (4/10)

Nicolas Otamendi: A nervy start to his City career continued. Often caused problems by his eagerness to confront Gladbach's creative players further up the pitch. He did make an impact at the other end by equalising. (5/10)

Aleksandar Kolarov: Involved regularly in the early stages, but his crossing got worse as the game progressed. At fault for the Gladbach goal when he was attracted to the ball while leaving Julian Korb in space out wide. (5/10)

Midfield

Yaya Toure: A forgettable night for the Ivorian. Possibly carrying an injury, but his poor positioning was inexcusable and he gifted possession to the hosts on too many occasions. (4/10)

Fernandinho: Improved as the match progressed to get involved further up the pitch. Appeared to relish playing alongside Fernando with less pressure on his shoulders to protect the defence. (7/10)

Kevin De Bruyne: Quiet for long spells of the first half, but the Belgian improved in a central position and opened up the Gladbach defence with some excellent passing. (7/10)

Raheem Sterling: A mixed bag from the England international. Threatened with some clever pieces of skill but he was wasteful in the final third on too many occasions. (5/10)

David Silva: Displayed flashes of brilliance on his return from injury. Created most of City's opportunities in the first half, but taken off just before the equaliser. (6/10)

Attack

Sergio Aguero: Rewarded for his persistence. Gladbach did a good job of limiting the space on offer, but he was always a threat with his movement off the ball before clinching the win late on. (7/10)

Substitutes

Fernando: Quietly impressive in midfield. Replaced the ineffective Toure at the break and played a key role in stopping the Gladbach counter-attacks. (7/10)

Jesus Navas: Struggled to find his teammates regularly but his pace in the final third was important as City piled the pressure on the hosts. (6/10)

Pablo Zabaleta: Sent on in stoppage time but no need to get involved on his return in the final few seconds. (5/10)


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Manchester City's Argentinian forward Sergio Aguero celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions League first-leg Group D football match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Manchester City in Monchengladbach, western Germany on September 30, 2015
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