BAYERN MUNICH 2, MAN CITY 0
Two goals scored just before half time by Mario Gomez helped Bayern Munich defeat Manchester City but the result was overshadowed after the controversy that erupted in the second half of a one sided Champions League group game.
“If I have my way he will be out of the club.” were the damning words of manager Roberto Mancini directed towards Carlos Tevez after the Argentine striker refused to play as a substitute. Mancini had to be restrained by assistant manager Brian Kidd as the drama with Tevez unfolded on the sidelines.
City’s bench appeared to erupt in a sea of discord during the second half as Mancini tried to change the game but was met by several examples of what former City defender Jerome Boateng described as “a lack of togetherness” from Tevez and Edin Dzeko as City’s game plan collapsed.
City’s much vaunted fantastic four forwards – Samir Nasri, David Silva, Dzeko and Sergio Aguero all had a quiet night as the much more organised German side clinically neutralised them and then exploited defensive weakness by City to claim victory.
Dzeko appeared to show dissent at being substituted by Nigel De Jong as City attempted to stem the flow of attacks from Bayern’s wide men.
Mancini later also spoke about Dzeko’s show of dissent at being taken off:
“He had a poor game. In terms of being unhappy, it should be me, not him. This is the last time with me a player will do this,” he explained.
The Italian seemed very tired on a long evening for City and it’s clear that this game more than any will be the talk of Europe this week.