Celtic and Manchester City played out an entertaining draw last night at Celtic Park in the Group C Champions League game.
It was Celtic who took the lead within the first three minutes, when Moussa Dembele tapped home a header, only for Fernandinho to equalise within 8 minutes for the visitors.
The hosts went ahead two more times, courtesy of an unfortunate own goal from Raheem Sterling in the 20th minute and an impressive strike by the young Moussa Dembele in the 47th minute.
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However, City were relentless in attack and found the equaliser within 9 minutes of Celtic going ahead via a Raheem Sterling goal in the 28th minute and a Nolito strike in the 55th minute.
It looked like City would add to their goal tally only for Celtic to put in a brave performance towards the end of the game to ensure that points were split between the two teams.
Here are the 5 talking points from the game at Celtic Park:
Manchester City’s winning run has finally ended
Manchester City has been in imperious form since the start of the season, asserting their dominance on games with their superstar players working in tandem, and they were expected to add to their 10 match winning streak at Celtic.
However, what followed was an exhilarating 90 minutes which left Pep Guardiola’s side hurting at the end of it.
Although Guardiola’s men came back to find an equaliser on three occasions in the game, the draw against the Scottish opponents serves as a reminder that even the best of the teams can find it tough on the road in Europe.
The noisy Celtic Park was rather underestimated in its grandeur as well as its ferocity and served as a 12th man for the home team, egging them on to secure a decisive result in the recent history of the club.
While a single result away from home will cause no damage to his reputation, Pep Guardiola is a man of high standards and would have expected his unit to put in a better performance.
They failed to take control of the game when the advantage was with them and will be hoping to make amends in the games to come, in the process making them more dangerous.
Moussa Dembele continues to impress
A lot of eyebrows were raised when the former Fulham man chose Celtic ahead of a number of European heavyweights at the start of the season. What good could come of a move to the Scottish football, a league that once produced fine players but have fallen behind in the recent past?
What the move has offered Dembele is extended playing time in the top flight and Europe, which is a requisite for a 20-year-old who is still developing. The Frenhman had repaid his manager’s faith with 10 goals in all competitions prior to the game, and added to the tally with a brace against City.
While the first goal was a result of teamwork, Dembele had a lot to do in the second one. With his back to the goal, he showed the footballing world why he is regarded as one of the best young talents in the world with a sublime finish.
In Brendan Rodgers, Dembele has a manager who has a reputation of developing young players and under his guidance, he could become one of the finest players in Europe.
Raheem Sterling is the most improved Manchester City player
Raheem Sterling had come under immense criticism from a number of pundits for failing to justify his hefty price tag prior to this season.
The appointment of Pep Guardiola has had a positive effect on the youngster and he is finally living up to his billing under the Spanish manager, creating and scoring goals, as well as linking up well with his teammates in the attacking third.
However, the biggest improvement that is seen in his game is his decision making. There was a time at Liverpool when Sterling was able to get into right positions only to waste chances. That is not the case any longer as he is calmer in possession, almost unselfish at times, thus adding to the attacking threat of his side with his displays.
The goal he scored on the right end of the pitch showcased an improved decision-making ability in a critical position, as he kept his calm and slotted the ball past Craig Gordon to equalise for his club.
Brendan Rodgers’ sides can’t defend
While he can set up his teams to play scintillating football, there is no escaping the fact that the former Liverpool manager still has a long way to go ensure that his teams can eke out results, especially with their defensive frailties.
Inability to convert advantageous positions into victories was an issue that plagued his Liverpool career and the issue does not seem to have gone away for the Northern Irishman.
His side led on all the three occasions during the game and should ideally have closed the game with a win. However, it was not to be, as they granted the visitors a path back into the game with lack of defensive discipline.
While many might attribute the equalisers to the quality in the City line-up, it is also the defensive inefficiencies of the side that provided the Manchester club with an opportunity.
The balance that is required in offense as well as defence does not exist in Rodgers’ teams and he will need to sort that out to become one of the best in the business.
City generosity in defence might cost them silverware
There have been two separate performances when City’s defensive ineptitude have come to the fore. The first was the game against cross-town rivals Manchester United, when they were constantly bullied at the back by the United attack line and were saved the blushes only owing to United’s indifferent finishing.
The second instance of the same was last night against Celtic, when they failed to see the dangers and paid the price as they went behind 3 times during the game.
Aleksandar Kolarov had a game to forget, but there is no denying the fact that none of the other defenders, except for Nicolas Otamendi, looked comfortable in defence.
Guardiola might be forced to rethink his defensive strategies and deploy players in their natural positions which should ensure the right balance between defence and offence.
While goals win games, City’s generosity might prove to be a hindrance in their pursuit of silverware and the hierarchy at the club would be best served if they can address the issue at the earliest.
