MANCHESTER // Sometimes a draw means a point is gained. Not this time. Manchester City dropped two last night, losing a lead and leaving Roma in a far preferable position in this most perilous of pools.
Francesco Totti’s equaliser secured a draw that maintains the Serie A side’s three-point lead over the Premier League champions in Group E. It brought him a record and his side a reward on a night when they made England’s finest look distinctly second best for much of the match.
It began deceptively well for City, who were ahead after four minutes. Yet they have had false dawns in Europe before.
This proved another.
Roma’s response revealed both character and quality. It was evident why they have won their first five matches in Serie A, as well as thrashing CSKA Moscow 5-1 in their opening Champions League game. Along with Bayern Munich, they now have to be deemed favourites to progress to the last 16.
Initially, a City alumnus played his part as Manuel Pellegrini’s team surged into the lead. Maicon contributed little to the City cause in one year at the Etihad Stadium. Within three minutes of his return, he provided them with a belated boost, tugging Sergio Aguero as the Argentine accelerated towards David Silva’s pass. Aguero tucked away the resulting penalty.
Yet Maicon, reprieved when referee Bjorn Kuipers chose to book him rather than send him off, illustrated that he remains a defender who is at his finest when going forward. He almost equalised, striking a shot that hit the underside of the bar.
Instead Roma levelled courtesy of an exquisite finish from Totti, who lifted his shot over Joe Hart after Radja Nainggolan had found the veteran in space behind Vincent Kompany.
Roma’s captain, who turned 38 on Sunday, became the oldest scorer in Champions League history, displacing Ryan Giggs.
It was a goal Roma deserved. They had troubled City with Miralem Pjanic’s assurance in possession and Gervinho’s unpredictable movement.
The Ivorian could have put Roma ahead, sprinting past Martin Demichelis with remarkable ease before unleashing a shot Hart did well to save.
City could lament the refusal by Kuipers to award a second spot kick as Kostas Manolas twice got the benefit of decisions. First, the Greek nudged Aguero, then he handled Jesus Navas’s low cross. Yet on the balance of play, they were fortunate to be level. Roma were in the ascendancy in the centre of the park and a threat on the counter-attack.
Pellegrini sent for James Milner at half time in an attempt to shore up an outnumbered midfield and negate Maicon’s influence. It was not enough to stem Roma’s momentum and they continued to create chances. Totti fired narrowly wide, then Pjanic was denied by Hart and finally the Serb whipped a shot just past the post.
It took the introduction of Frank Lampard to change the balance of play. The substitute picked out Fernandinho, whose attempt was tame, and let fly from distance, with Lukasz Skorupski tipping his shot wide.
It made for an eventful draw but, from a City perspective, an unsatisfactory one.
BAYERN’S ROBBEN HAPPY WITH A QUIET, LONE-GOAL VICTORY
Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben was unimpressed by a strange new experience in his career as his side overcame CSKA Moscow in the Uefa Champions League in an empty Khimki Arena.
Bayern’s Dutch luminary sounded as if he had not enjoyed CSKA’s defensive approach during the 1-0 victory.
He seemed even more underwhelmed by the odd atmosphere which enveloped the behind-closed-doors contest.
“It’s the first time I have played without fans in the stadium,” said Robben, reflecting on the match which European football’s governing body Uefa had ordered to be played in an empty arena because of racist behaviour from CSKA fans.
“Obviously, now I am used to playing in front of a packed stadium, with a lot of fans and that is how football should be.”
Robben also believes football should be about enterprise, which was evident in his observation that “only one team looked to attack” during Bayern’s triumph.
He had been kept quiet for long periods, finding it difficult to find space when faced by two walls of red shirts between him and the goal but Bayern eventually found a way through in the Group E encounter with a 21st minute penalty.
“One goal was decisive today and we are very happy with the win and the three points,” Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said.
In other action, Nemanja Matic’s first-half header was enough for Chelsea to record a first victory of Group G, but it should have been much more comfortable than a 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon.
Also in Group G, Schalke came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Maribor.
David Luiz and midfielder Marco Verratti scored their first goals for Paris Saint-Germain in a 3-2 win over Barcelona in Group F.
Athletic Bilbao missed a chance to turn around their erratic season when they were beaten 2-1 at BATE Borisov in Group H.
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