Manchester City vs. Dynamo Kiev: 2016 Champions League, Leg 2 Score, Reaction
Manchester City's progression into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League was marred by injuries on Tuesday night, as Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi were both forced off in a 0-0 stalemate at the Etihad Stadium, giving the Premier League side a 3-1 aggregate win.
The defensive duo's respective withdrawals were the only moments of note in an awful opening 45 minutes, with both sides badly struggling for attacking rhythm. Sadly, the second period wasn't any easier on the eye, although City did come closest to a goal, with Jesus Navas striking the woodwork.
Manager Manuel Pellegrini’s side were in a commanding position coming into this one, having won 3-1 in the first leg, and it meant at kick-off there was a positive mood among the assembled Sky Blue masses.
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It was a buzz that quickly cleared, though, as Kompany signalled to the bench in the nascent stages of the match, clearly uncomfortably. As noted by Mark Ogden of the Independent, it’s been a season to forget for the skipper, whose presence has been badly missed at the base of the team:
Here's the moment the inspirational defender knew he could no longer continue in the game, via BT Sport Football:
Remarkably, City’s bad luck with injuries didn’t end there, as Kompany’s partner in the centre of defence, Otamendi, also hobbled off inside 22 minutes.
The Argentina man flung himself into a challenge with an opponent in typically aggressive style, although he came off second best. After attempting to carry on, the ex-Valencia man was eventually unable to continue, meaning Pellegrini had to partner Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis at the heart of the back four.
They were injuries that sucked the life out of the first half, too, with the supporters engulfed by a malaise and the players struggling for rhythm. Indeed, Navas’ efforts, as well as this analysis from the Times’ Henry Winter, summed up a moribund first period:
It was a match that reflected the home side's stranglehold on the contest, as Kiev seemed unwilling to commit too many men forward despite needing to score three unanswered goals.
The visitors did seem to possess a little more endeavour than City, though, who for all their stellar attacking talent, continued to lope through the motions in the contest. Needless to say, these components didn't make for a gripping tussle, and as it approached the hour mark, the Manchester Evening News' James Robson was not impressed:
City did burst into life in the 61st minute, though, with Navas flashing a brilliant effort against the woodwork. Then, as noted by BBC Sport, in the 66th minute, Dynamo's star man, Andriy Yarmolenko, had the first shot on target in the match, although it was a comfortable stop for Joe Hart.
Still, neither side seemed willing to work hard enough on the night to sustain any prolonged pressure. It limited the likes of Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and David Silva to sporadic moments in the game, as they were unable to isolate opposition defenders.
The Guardian's Jonathan Wilson tried to offer some kind of incentive for City to go for the win in the final stages:
But the previous 80 minutes suggested a frantic finish was unlikely. Fans filtered out of the stadium with plenty of time remaining, and as the referee called time on an abrasive 90 minutes, many will wonder why they bothered coming out at all.
The injuries to Kompany and Otamendi mean those flocking away from the Etihad will do so in a bittersweet mood. Of course, a quarter-final in the Champions League is something to get excited about and something the club has never sampled before. However, should City's talismanic leader be absent, their chances would massively diminish in the next round.
Pellegrini’s side may not be fancied to go much further in this tournament with some genuine juggernauts of European football still in contention. Their fans will be dreaming, though, and for this core of players—Aguero, Silva, Toure and even Kompany—this year may be the last chance they get of crowning what’s been a golden spell in City’s existence with club football's ultimate prize.
Post-Match Reaction
Afterwards Pellegrini opened up about the extent of the injuries accrued, per BBC Sport:
"Unfortunately for Vincent Kompany, he has a calf problem again in his muscle so we will see how it is tomorrow. Nicolas Otamendi has had a kick and hopefully can recover in the next couple of days.
It is difficult for Kompany because he came back very well, he played six games in-a-row but unfortunately for him he couldn't continue.
"
Additionally, Pablo Zabaleta insisted this team cannot be contented with a quarter-final spot. "This group of players are working hard every day to make this club even bigger," said the defender, per BBC Sport. "The Champions League, we are trying to reach at least a final. It's hard but today it was job done. Not a great performance but we are really pleased."
