10-man Manchester City twice fell foul of the video-assistant referee after Sergio Aguero’s opener had been given the green light, but returning hero Leroy Sane came back to haunt Schalke with a sensational free-kick in a valuable 3-2 victory during the Champions League’s round of 16.
The Premier League leaders took advantage of woeful defending by the Bundesliga’s 14th best in the 19th minute, Spain playmaker David Silva making the most of a mix-up by slipping in the Argentina hit man after a mix-up between goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann and Senegal centre-back Salif Sane. A colossal header from Aymeric Laporte in previous play then had to be allowed on replay, thus rewarding the visitors’ dominant start.
Thoughts of a simple first-leg victory dissipated by half-time at VELTINS-Arena. Argentina centre-back Nicolas Otamendi’s handball and Brazil anchorman Fernandinho’s tug on Sane were punished from 12 yards by ex-Spurs midfielder Bentaleb.
Otamendi would go on to be dismissed for a second booking. The stage was then set for substitute Sane, a Schalke youth product, to smash in a thunderous 30-yard free-kick on 85 minutes.
England forward Raheem Sterling then put the seal on things, latching onto Brazil No1’s Ederson delightful ball from deep and rolling it home.
Here are the player ratings:
SCHALKE (5-4-1)
Ralf Fahrmann 5: The skipper’s poor pass belied his experience, allowing Aguero in to score. Not a great deal else to do.
Daniel Caligiuri 7: Influential display from the right wing-back. Shot earned first penalty and kept Sterling pretty quiet.
Jeffrey Bruma 6: Wolfsburg loanee was not unduly tested by possession-heavy City. Made smart second-half interception.
Salif Sane 7: Memorable display. Played part in poor opener, then was felled by Fernandinho. Stood up tall, throughout.
Matija Nastasic 6: Former City defender made one fine block on De Bruyne. Helped Schalke’s shape well, frustrating Aguero.
Bastian Oczipka 6: The 30-year-old was happy to see City rotate the ball without much desire to get in behind.
Weston McKennie 7: Dynamic United States international showed versatility by going out wide when shape changed to 4-1-4-1.
Suat Serdar 6: Kept discipline well and declined to chase the ball, which is what City wanted. Able deputy to Bentaleb et al.
Nabil Bentaleb 8: Was bypassed in open play, but showed nerves of steel to twice slot spot-kicks past Ederson.
Hamza Mendyl 6: Morocco international ran himself into the ground, covering the gaps behind the wing-backs. Key role.
Mark Uth 6: City starved Schalke of the ball, meaning Uth was a bystander. To his credit, this didn’t stop him shutting down.
SUBSTITUTES
Guido Burgstaller 6: Required treatment after collision with Kompany.
Steven Skrzybski N/A: Saw one promising shot blocked.
Amine Harit N/A: Barely got involved.
MANCHESTER CITY (3-2-4-1)
Ederson 6: Brazil goalkeeper was only seen when picking the ball out of his net for Bentaleb’s penalties.
Kyle Walker 6: Moved to a three-man defence saw Walker reprise his England role. No great involvement.
Nicolas Otamendi 4: Otamendi will want to forget this night. Handball appeared harsh, as was his second booking.
Aymeric Laporte 7: Was at hulking best in build-up to the opener. Also relished building from the back.
Fernandinho 6: Only made the lightest of touches on Sane’s hips, but couldn’t really complain.
Ilkay Gundogan 7: Warm reception for ex-Borussia Dortmund midfielder. Peerless in possession.
Bernardo Silva 6: Lashed narrowly over in the second half. Put in a patient performance against a stacked defence.
Kevin De Bruyne 7: Valuable minutes recorded as Belgium playmaker continues comeback from latest injury.
David Silva 7: Showed expert reading of play to spark the opener. Taken off after Otamendi’s dismissal.
Raheem Sterling 7: 15th goal of another productive season probably won this tie for City.
Sergio Aguero 6: Didn’t do a great deal else other than score. But that’s what he’s paid for.
SUBSTITUTES
Vincent Kompany 6: Thrown on for a 15th display of injury strewn season when Otamendi marched off.
Leroy Sane N/A: Unbelievable goal from the player who used to call Schalke home. Refused to celebrate.
Oleksandr Zinchenko N/A: Wound down the clock.
