Wednesday October 24, 2012 Group Phase: Group D Finished Amsterdam ArenA

Ajax 3 - 1 Manchester City

  • de Jong 45’
  • Moisander 57’
  • Eriksen 68’
  • Nasri 22’

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  1. Champions League - Manchester City in damaging defeat at Ajax

    Champions League - Manchester City in damaging defeat at Ajax

    Manchester City's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League last 16 are looking grim after losing 3-1 at Ajax's Amsterdam ArenA in Group D. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Ajax
    • Manchester City
    • - IlyasDonxQuinte: "With only one point from three games, they have no chance."
    • - So is that it? Are City heading out of Europe again? And just why are they so poor in this competition? Tweet me @symco_eurosport
    • 90+4' And that is it - City lose a vital Champions League match.
    • 90+2' A Kolarov free-kick hits the wall.
    • 90+1' Four minutes to be added on.
    • 90' Tevez now wins a corner - and again Milner's set-piece is woeful and cleared at the near post.
    • 89' Ajax change: Derk Boerrigter on for Schone.
    • 88' Kolarov on the left byline cuts back and wins a corner.
    • 87' City will prop up the group if they lose. And with Dortmund also winning at the moment, they will be five points from second spot with three games to play. Group D details
    • 86' Aguero tries his luck from 25 yards but his shot is a yard over the bar. City frustrated again.
    • 85' Dzeko has the ball on the right, but Ajax again solid in defence.
    • 84' Eriksen moving for a quick pass on the counter-attack but the ball is cut out.
    • 82' Time running out for the Citizens. Ajax playing the ball intelligently on the right.
    • 81' Bent in by Kolarov but it is beaten away.
    • 80' Blind fouls Balotelli and City have a dangerous free-kick on the right byline.
    • 79' Toure pulls back De Jong as he sprints away from him and is booked.
    • 78' City change: Mario Balotelli on for Milner.
    • 76' Nasri turns with the dropping ball and, as he looks to pull the trigger, he goes down... he claims that Moisander had some of his shirt. Not a penalty for me. Could have gone either way.
    • 76' There have been goals elsewhere while this hectic match has been going on - and Arsenal are just this minute behind. Madrid also losing now in Germany. Latest scores
    • 75' Yellow card for Kolarov as he boots Schone. City sometimes very dirty in midfield.
    • 74' Ajax change: Eyong Enoh on for Sana. Enoh returned from five months out in a friendly on October 16.
    • 74' Babel on the left as City are cut open again, bending a low shot with his instep that Hart saves easily enough.
    • 73' Dzeko controls on the edge of the box and runs through two Ajax defenders before moving the ball away from the diving Vermeer... he stays on his feet - there was no contact - and the goalie saves his shot.
    • 72' City change: Tevez on for Nasri.
    • 71' At the other end Dzeko brings the ball down on his chest and angles into the box and towards goal, with Vermeer making a point-blank save! Alderweireld had hold of his shorts, should have been a penalty.
    • 70' Sana plays a one-two with Schone and is through on the right... saved by Hart! Great stop - should have scored.
    • 69' The crowd holds its collective breath as Babel comes into the box on the left and shoots, blocked.
    • 68' GOAL AJAX! 3-1 to them! The brilliant Eriksen - who was denied by a great interception from Kompany a moment ago - tricks his way past the Belgian just outside the box and hits a shot that comes off Clichy and beats Hart low down. Disaster for City.
    • 67' Plenty of ball for the visitors with Ajax retaining their 4-3-3 shape but dropping off.
    • 66' Milner comes across Blind - son of former Ajax star Danny - to attack a Kolarov cross from the left with his head, over the bar.
    • 64' City now playing three at the back, with Clichy and Richards either side of Kompany. Milner is the right wing-back and Kolarov the left.
    • 63' City change: Lescott off, Aleksandar Kolarov on.
    • 62' Moisander's goal on matchday two was the first time Ajax have scored against Real Madrid in five group stage encounters. So now you know.
    • 61' Nasri clever with the ball to play in to Milner and his cross deflects off an Ajax man and loops down towards Vermeer's post... Dzeko jumps into him to try and muscle the ball home and is penalised.
    • 59' A City corner is cleared as Kompany swipes at the ball with an attempted volley.
    • 57' GOAL AJAX! 2-1 to them! Moisander rises to head down into the far corner with Joleon Lescott not close enough to him!
    • 57' Sana wins a corner for the hosts.
    • 56' Clichy nicks the ball of Sana's foot and City work the ball in midfield. Better football in this half - their attacking edge is not dependent upon Aguero either.
    • 55' Sana on the right flicks into the box for Ajax, but it is a wayward pass and runs out for a throw on the far side.
    • 54' Nasri with a very clumsy challenge on Van Rhijn and moments later the home fans are again incensed when De Jong is upended by Milner and also does not receive a yellow card.
    • 53' Dzeko looks to play in Nasri from the left touchline but Ajax defend it.
    • 52' Dzeko offside again from a Toure pass - he was just off.
    • 51' Hart claims the corner, as he failed to do in Poland in an England shirt.
    • 50' Babel cuts in from the left and bangs a shot from some way out, blocked. Richards then tries to clear a dropping ball back over his head and strikes it against his own head and out for a corner. Titter.
    • 48' A cross sent in from Milner but Ajax head away.
    • 47' Dzeko caught offside.
    • 46' Almost immediately Aguero has a chance to shoot from close range but Niklas Moisander denies him with a block! Ajax yet to wake up - and they were out on the pitch well before City.
    • 46' The second half starts with Ajax now attacking from left to right in their traditional red and white kit.
    • - How does that goal change things? Do City need to make changes at the break? Tweet me @symco_eurosport
    • 45+1' The whistle goes - 1-1 at the break.
    • 45+1' Only one minute to be added on as the home fans sing lustily.
    • 45' GOAL AJAX! 1-1! De Jong arrives just inside the centre of the box to crack home a low first-time strike from a Van Rhijn cross that leaves Hart standing!
    • 43' Babel cuts in from the left and lets fly from 25 yards, a bouncing strike that Hart has no problem in holding at the base of the post.
    • 42' Kompany heads a cross clear then is stronger against Eriksen when the ball comes back.
    • 41' Schone with a poor effort well over the bar from 30 yards as Ajax become frustrated. The game has slowed a good deal.
    • 39' Real Madrid are behind at Dortmund! But no - Cristiano Ronaldo has almost immediately equalised! Follow the latest commentary
    • 38' De Jong blatantly fouled by Milner. They take it short but Schone's whipped ball in is straight through to Hart. The fans aren't happy - they could have gotten that into the box better from the free-kick.
    • 37' Already beaten by Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, bottom-placed Ajax are seeking a first home victory over English opposition since 1980, when they beat Nottingham Forest.
    • 36' Nasri pops up on the left in the box but is unable to find a man with his pass. City come all the way back to Kompany in their own half, and Dzeko then goes too early and is flagged offside from the low ball down the channel.
    • 34' Should Dzeko be starting tonight, or is he a better sub? What about Balotelli and Tevez - when do you expect them to be brought on? Tweet me @symco_eurosport
    • 33' Van Rhijn cuts in from the right and, with Babel in support, opts to shoot for goal - just over Hart's crossbar. Good try from the young right-back.
    • 32' Both clubs are still looking for a first win in a highly competitive Group D and another slip-up could deal a costly blow. Group D details
    • 31' Police arrested 25 fans in central Amsterdam ahead of the match. The arrests took place in the early evening in the city's red light district, a popular destination for visiting tourists, famed for its bars and legal brothels. "Most of the people arrested were Ajax supporters," said Marjolein Koek, spokeswoman for the police.
    • 29' Blind is booked for a late challenge on Edin Dzeko, who has been quiet.
    • 29' Richards has space to get into the box and shoot, but leaves it for Toure before opting to go himself in the end - and his effort is saved well by Vermeer.
    • 28' Ajax have had 62 per cent of the ball, but have been struggling for an outlet in attack in the last few minutes.
    • 27' Roberto Mancini's name is sung by the visiting City fans, who are evidently enjoying their trip to the Dam.
    • 26' There have been three other goals so far in the late kick-offs. Latest scores
    • 25' Aguero again bursting into the box, denied by another great challenge.
    • 24' The resulting corner is poor. Where did that goal come from? However they are playing, City always have a cutting edge in attack - and it was a well-worked goal from the right side.
    • 23' Aguero with space in the box and only a last-ditch block from Toby Alderweireld denies City a second goal.
    • 22' GOAL MAN CITY! 1-0 to them! Micah Richards feeds Milner, who picks out the run of Samir Nasri into the box on the left and the France star finishes brilliantly into the far corner.
    • 21' Eriksen with some skill in midfield to get the fans going. He then shoots just wide after a pass from Tobias Sana - great touch from Eriksen to set himself up.
    • 20' Ajax captain De Jong stretching to head a cross into the box, but it is just too high for him. He got away from his marker though.
    • 19' City seeing more of the ball in the home half, but they are not playing well.
    • 18' Carlos Tevez was warming up but Toure is back on.
    • 17' The home fans whistle as City put the ball into the corner rather than just giving it back to them. Advancing left-back Blind just beaten to a long ball by Hart as the two collide.
    • 16' There is blood but I think it is a relatively minor surface wound and he should return once it is strapped up. The match resumes.
    • 15' The ball is kicked out as Yaya Toure lies hurt. He went in for a challenge with Christian Eriksen and the 50-50 that followed with Daley Blind caused the problem.
    • 14' A counter almost sees Babel played in, but Vincent Kompany puts in a superb sliding challenge to deny him.
    • 13' Aguero spins into the box and is tackled but gets up again and almost wriggles through. An Ajax defender gets the ball back to his keeper Kenneth Vermeer, who clears.
    • 12' Aguero looks to instigate something from the left, playing the ball in to James Milner - but De Jong is there to intercept.
    • 11' Better possession from City as they look to exert more control. They are not getting out of their half with the ball, though.
    • 9' Lasse Schone brings a ball into the 'D' down with his chest and lays off to fellow Dane Christian Eriksen, who unleashes a half-volley that flies just wide of the post. Ajax threatening.
    • 8' Toby Alderweireld picks off Gareth Barry's attempted through pass. Very direct from City, and with little coming from it so far.
    • 7' Ajax have failed to score in eight of their last 12 matches in European competition.
    • 6' Babel attacks the near post but the cross from Ricardo van Rhijn is too strong for him.
    • 5' Siem de Jong looks to curl one in from some way out after playing a one-two with Ryan Babel, but it is well over Joe Hart's bar.
    • 4' They are moving the ball from side to side looking for an avenue of attack, while City are not keeping the ball when they get it.
    • 3' Ajax with most of the ball in the early stages.
    • 2' Early corner for Ajax but City head clear.
    • 1' The match is underway with City in those dark stripes kicking from left to right.
    • 19:40 The teams are out in the Amsterdam ArenA. Should City win this match with their line-up? Tweet me @symco_eurosport
    • 19:35 Manchester City have allowed their opponents more shots on target against them than any other team in the Champions League (22).
    • 19:30 Frank de Boer: "Mancini at City is like Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. They normally buy mature, ready-made players who already have the experience. "I have won the last two Dutch titles so I want to see us make the next step by progressing in Europe. But that is very difficult. It is so difficult to reach the next level in the Champions League, let alone to win it."
    • 19:30 Roberto Mancini: "We need nine points from the last four games (in the Champions League) - but our only thought is three in Amsterdam. We think about only the next game after we've won in Amsterdam. That will be important. I think this group is worse than last year. But we want to try to do everything we can to go to the next stage. I think we could be in the same situation as last year. A lot depends on this next game." City team page
    • 19:25 Ajax have lost three and won none of their last four home games against English opponents in Europe. City have only played three games against Dutch opposition in Europe, all versus Twente, winning both home games 3-2 and drawing 1-1 away in their only trip to the Netherlands.
    • 19:20 Manchester City have lost four and won one of their five away games in the European Cup/Champions League.
    • 19:15 Ajax’s victory over Manchester United in the Last 32 of last season’s Europa League ended a run of eight games in Europe against English opposition without a win (D3 L5).
    • 19:10 The only change for Ajax following the 3-3 draw away to Heracles on Saturday is Derk Boerrigter dropping to the bench and former Liverpool star Ryan Babel replacing him in attack. Siem de Jong and Babel will operate behind Tobias Sana in a 4-3-3.
    • 19:05 Edin Dzeko, who hit two goals off the bench to beat West Brom 2-1 at the weekend then expressed his dissatisfaction, has been handed a starting spot alongside Sergio Aguero. Mario Balotelli is on the bench. The midfield consists of Yaya Toure, Gareth Barry, Samir Nasri and James Milner. David Silva (hamstring) is missing and Kolo Toure is not registered for this stage of the competition.
    • 19:00 TEAMS - Man City: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, Barry, Toure, Nasri; Aguero, Dzeko. Subs: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Nastasic, Evans, Sinclair, Tevez, Balotelli /// Ajax: Vermeer; Van Rhijn, Alderweireld, Moisander, Blind; Poulsen, Eriksen, Schøne; De Jong, Sana, Babel. Subs: Cillessen, Veltman, Dijks, Enoh, Sulejmani, Boerrigter, Fischer
    • 18:55 Is the European Cup what City should be striving to win most this season? Or is all talk of 'focusing' on a competition a load of codswallop? Tweet me @symco_eurosport
    • 18:50 This is a massive game if City are to progress to the knockout stages, with Real Madrid already looking ominous in the group. Group D details
    • 18:45 Welcome to coverage of Manchester City's Champions League away clash in Amsterdam against Ajax. Kick-off is at 19:45 (UK).

  • Summary

    • 76' Nasri turns with the dropping ball and, as he looks to pull the trigger, he goes down... he claims that Moisander had some of his shirt. Not a penalty for me. Could have gone either way.
    • 73' Dzeko controls on the edge of the box and runs through two Ajax defenders before moving the ball away from the diving Vermeer... he stays on his feet - there was no contact - and the goalie saves his shot.
    • 71' At the other end Dzeko brings the ball down on his chest and angles into the box and towards goal, with Vermeer making a point-blank save! Alderweireld had hold of his shorts, should have been a penalty.
    • 70' Sana plays a one-two with Schone and is through on the right... saved by Hart! Great stop - should have scored.
    • 68' GOAL AJAX! 3-1 to them! The brilliant Eriksen - who was denied by a great interception from Kompany a moment ago - tricks his way past the Belgian just outside the box and hits a shot that comes off Clichy and beats Hart low down. Disaster for City.
    • 57' GOAL AJAX! 2-1 to them! Moisander rises to head down into the far corner with Joleon Lescott not close enough to him!
    • 46' Almost immediately Aguero has a chance to shoot from close range but Niklas Moisander denies him with a block! Ajax yet to wake up - and they were out on the pitch well before City.
    • 45' GOAL AJAX! 1-1! De Jong arrives just inside the centre of the box to crack home a low first-time strike from a Van Rhijn cross that leaves Hart standing!
    • 29' Richards has space to get into the box and shoot, but leaves it for Toure before opting to go himself in the end - and his effort is saved well by Vermeer.
    • 23' Aguero with space in the box and only a last-ditch block from Toby Alderweireld denies City a second goal.
    • 22' GOAL MAN CITY! 1-0 to them! Micah Richards feeds Milner, who picks out the run of Samir Nasri into the box on the left and the France star finishes brilliantly into the far corner.
    • 21' Eriksen with some skill in midfield to get the fans going. He then shoots just wide after a pass from Tobias Sana - great touch from Eriksen to set himself up.
    • 9' Lasse Schone brings a ball into the 'D' down with his chest and lays off to fellow Dane Christian Eriksen, who unleashes a half-volley that flies just wide of the post. Ajax threatening.
    • 19:00 TEAMS - Man City: Hart; Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, Barry, Toure, Nasri; Aguero, Dzeko. Subs: Pantilimon, Kolarov, Nastasic, Evans, Sinclair, Tevez, Balotelli /// Ajax: Vermeer; Van Rhijn, Alderweireld, Moisander, Blind; Poulsen, Eriksen, Schøne; De Jong, Sana, Babel. Subs: Cillessen, Veltman, Dijks, Enoh, Sulejmani, Boerrigter, Fischer

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

    Please to rate the players.

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      7.1 8
      Defenders
      7.4 7
      7.8 7
      Goal 7.7 7
      Yellow Card 7.2 7
      Midfielders
      7.6 6
      Substitution Out89′ 7.5 6
      Goal 7.6 7
      Strikers
      Substitution Out74′ 6.9 6
      7 7
      Goal 8.1 8
      Subs
      Substitution In74′ 7.6 6
      Substitution In89′ 8.1 6
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      5.2 7
      Defenders
      5 7
      5.1 6
      Substitution Out63′ 4.6 4
      4.3 5
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 5.2 6
      Substitution Out71′ 4.1 5
      Substitution Out77′ 4.4 6
      4.8 7
      Goal 4.8 7
      Strikers
      5.6 5
      Subs
      Substitution In71′ 3.3 6
      Substitution In63′ Yellow Card 3 5
      Substitution In77′ 3.8 6

Comment 92 - 112 of 112

Sort comments by: Most recent | Most rated

  1. Amir the backside , go back to Islamabad ...

    From Ben, on Sat 27 Oct 14:43

  2. A bitter night for costly English champions versus a­ sweet thriller for debt free-managed German clubs!­ English teams are staggering in spite of their heavy­ expenditure and media maneuvering. Great teams are­ built step by step not purchased wholesale.

    From Amir, on Thu 25 Oct 16:14

  3. Not as easy as it looks this champions league lark is­ it?

    From B, on Thu 25 Oct 15:01

  4. This is why Inter fired Mancini despite winning Serie-A­ three years in a row . He is strictly a league coach­ but $#%t in Europe . Manchester City will be lucky to­ finish 3rd. . Bye bye CL , hello Europa League !!

    From Tim13, on Thu 25 Oct 13:21

  5. Great footballing display by Ajax last night. Great­ passing, great defending and they did all this with a­ squad full of kids that are more less than combined­ than Tevez. Hope they can pick up another win (or­ maybe 2) and a draw from their remaining matches :)

    From Suraya s, on Thu 25 Oct 11:57

  6. what was that stupid thing city fans used to do .. OH­ YEAH !! TICK TOCK TICK TOCK .. plz suggest a doctor i­ cant hear any TICK TOCK TICK TOCK now .. HAHAHA

    From Jayfi, on Thu 25 Oct 6:35

  7. I cannot understand the constant back passing, usually­ from the opponents penalty area, even as far back as­ the goalkeeper. You cannot score from back there and­ if the ball is intercepted , surely it is more­ dangerous if it happens in your own pealty area, rather­ than in theirs.

    From john, on Thu 25 Oct 3:53

  8. Je suis désole une de plus que Man City n'arrive­ pas sortir des poules de ligue de champions avec des­ tels bon joueurs vraiment serieusement Mancini doit­ partir ?

    From Cyrille Assouka, on Thu 25 Oct 1:20

  9. This time Man. City will not be even in Europa League,­ that will finish DEAD LAST in the group. You can thank­ #$%$ Mancini for that !!! It is absolutely­ unbelievable how he manages to get such POOR results­ after spending SO MUCH money. Mancini is worthless­ !

    From Istina Boli, on Wed 24 Oct 23:20

  10. Man. City has good players but COMPLETE USELESS IDIOT­ for manager - that is why they are not doing well ! ­ Mancini = GARBAGE !!!!

    From Istina Boli, on Wed 24 Oct 23:16

  11. sack mancini he's not a good coach. simple

    From jay, on Wed 24 Oct 22:24

  12. GROUP OF DEATH?? CITY ALREADY WELL AND TRULY DEAD

    From Sam Sid, on Wed 24 Oct 22:04

  13. City have no experience in europe. Let the arabs pull­ out the billions before they ruin fooball

    From Sam Sid, on Wed 24 Oct 22:00

  14. OH WE ARE BACK TO LAST SEASON AGAIN ARE WE?

    From bigred, on Wed 24 Oct 22:00

  15. WELL PLAYED AJAX YOU LOOK AWESOME, FROM MAN UTD

    From Sam Sid, on Wed 24 Oct 21:54
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Everyone take note; Man Utd are the only English team­ to win this week.... they won "a game",­ everyone else won "a Trophy" last season but­ hey, let the little devils celebrate for a change eh?

    From WESLEY, on Wed 24 Oct 21:54

  17. Man City lost...Arsenal lost...Chelsea lost.... Celtic­ lost Man United WON... The cream always rises to the­ top!!!

    From IAN WHITE, on Wed 24 Oct 21:50

  18. Only one british winner this week. Who was it again!

    From bigred, on Wed 24 Oct 21:48

  19. just #$%$ masel laughin

    From bigred, on Wed 24 Oct 21:46

  20. Mancini'c next speech will be this - "We still­ have chances, we can be top of the group, we will win­ the UCL"

    From Serghei, on Wed 24 Oct 21:46
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