GROUP D – Tuesday 17th September 2013

FK VIKTORIA PLZEN 0-3 MANCHESTER CITY

The Champions League has returned, and Manchester City will be hoping to make the knockout stages this time around, after failing to make the next stage in their previous two attempts. They were up against a Plzen side who hasn’t lost a game in all competitions thus far.

Both sides started in similar fashion, signalling their intentions of not setting back and getting at the opposition. The first chance of the match fell to Jesus Navas, he found space outside the area and drove a powerful shot goalwards, which Kozacik tipped over the bar. Moments after, Yaya Toure headed over the bar when he really ought to have scored. Dzeko also got his head to a cross later on, but again the result was a goal-kick. For a brief period of time, the game began to quiet down a little, and the game saw more possession rather than attacks.

In the 20th minute, Joe Hart was called into action, parrying away a dangerous free-kick into the area from Horvath, fortunately City escaped. Not long after, the Plzen keeper Kozacik was forced to make a save of his own, denying Edin Dzeko from point-blank range, perhaps he should have put it in the back of the net.

Sergio Aguero come up with a moment of brilliance in the 24th minute, evading a couple of Plzen challenges and striking a shot across goal, which struck the post. Kolarov got to the loose ball but Kozacik saved well from the rebound.

Aguero hit the post again later on in the first half, but the flag had already gone up for offside.

City came out in the first team more attacking-minded and with more urgency, and in the 48th minute, they finally made the breakthrough. Sergio Aguero did superbly to shake of his marker and feed Dzeko, who calmly slotted home. Dzeko was then presented with another glorious opportunity, but blasted over.

The 52nd minute came and It was another goal for the visitors, this one was an absolute beauty. Yaya Toure found space around 25 yards out and curled in a stunning shot into the top corner, and City were now 2-0 up. Aguero had an effort on goal soon after, but Kozacik was equal to it.

Sergio Aguero had been causing a lot of problems for the Plzen backline all game, and he was at it again. This time, he twisted and turned in the penalty area and fired a shot into the bottom corner with his left foot.

City from then were very dominant, bossing the game in midfield and defended reasonably well. They also created a couple more openings but could match the level of finishing they had met to score those three superb goals. Aguero forced another save out of Plzen keeper Kozacik, but again he came up with a good save.

Late on, Plzen hit the woodwork as Horava flicked on a Horvath corner which struck the frame of the goal. Aguero had yet another opportunity as stoppage time approached, but his effort blazed over the bar.