Erling Haaland was on the prowl and at his most dangerous but he was left disappointed as Manchester City were denied victory in the Champions League at Monaco by a late penalty given away by Nico Gonzalez. Haaland scored his 51st and 52nd goals in Europe's top competitions to tie Mohamed Salah as the 10th highest scorer. But City were pegged back, first by a scorching strike from Jordan Teze and then by Eric Dier's penalty in the 90th minute.
City looked set to continue their 100 percent start to the League Phase thanks to Haaland's deft strike (with his first touch) and a thumping header, both of which came in the first half. The Cityzens looked in control for most of their trip to the French Riviera but alarm balls started ringing when VAR took a look at Gonzalez's high-footed challenge for the ball which led to him striking Dier in the face.
A long review ensued and City were furious that the play was being examined, even more so when the penalty was given. Dier dusted himself down and sent Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way to deny Pep Guardiola's side three points which they richly deserved. And the Cityzens have now gone one year without winning an away game in Europe.
GOAL rates Man City's players from the Stade Louis II…
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Gianluigi Donnarumma (7/10):
Got down low to make a fine save to thwart Maghnes Akliouche in the first shot he faced aside from Teze's rocket.
John Stones (6/10):
Deployed in an unfamiliar role of right-back, where he last played in 2023. Played inside a lot, giving the team control in possession but not a lot of width.
Ruben Dias (6/10):
Swept up well when Folarin Balogun raced in behind him.
Josk Gvardiol (7/10):
Produced a sublime pass that no Monaco player was expecting to set up Haaland's first. Looked pretty comfortable in defence and produced some dazzling footwork in the opposing box as City looked for a late winner.
Nico O'Reilly (8/10):
An all-action display, popping up all over the pitch be it to cause danger down the left, give his team-mates options or make a last-ditch tackle. Got an assist for Haaland's header.
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Rodri (7/10):
Controlled the game in his usual way and good play from him set the team in motion to score first. Got a booking and went over after contact in the ribs and he was taken off soon after.
Tijjani Reijnders (6/10):
Another game where he didn't do a whole lot although he got in three good shooting positions. He wasted the first with a skied effort, then hammered the bar and later narrowly missing the near post.
Bernardo Silva (6/10):
Took up a deeper, supporting role on his return to the club that properly launched his career. Worked his socks off and let others do the damage. Booked in the aftermath of the dispute over the penalty.
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Phil Foden (8/10):
Another mesmeric display. Drove City forward countless times and was inches away from scoring with a cracking, crossbar-bothering effort.
Erling Haaland (9/10):
At his very best in his favourite competition. Prodded ball into the net with his first touch then pulled off a stunning header, doing all the hard work to get power on a tame cross. Was hungry for a hat-trick and nearly got it with a ferocious strike tipped away by Philipp Köhn.
Jeremy Doku (6/10):
Lively at the start even if he didn't give Monaco loads to worry about but slowed down in the second half and was taken off early.
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Nico Gonzalez (5/10):
Gave the penalty away with a dangerous high foot, even if he made contact with the ball.
Savinho (6/10):
Gave Monaco a few scares with his pace but lacked the final touch.
Matheus Nunes (6/10):
Gave City more width after replacing Stones.
Pep Guardiola (5/10):
Will be pleased with most of the display but difficult not to feel that his substitutes played into Monaco's hands.
