Maybe Manchester City manifested the late drama, the angst, the outright anger. Not by giving away cheap free kicks or failing to take a glut of opportunities, hitting the woodwork twice, but in the joviality shared with Bernardo Silva during the days before this trip to Monaco.
City hadn’t been to the plastic principality since 2017, a ding-dong last 16 tie in which the teams shared 12 goals and Silva flourished months before moving to England. Pep Guardiola holds grudges and as they reminisced about that elimination in the week, he teased Silva – now captain – about Spanish official Antonio Mateu Lahoz helping Monaco’s cause with refereeing decisions over those two legs that clearly still hurt.
Little did he know that in the final minute of what should have been a routine Champions League away victory – and what would have been their first in five, dating back over a year – this game hinged on a Spanish man in the middle.
Nico Gonzalez attempted to clear a late free kick, his high boot catching Eric Dier in the face, and Jesus Gil Manzano was told by VAR to head for the monitor. City were incensed, so much so that Gianluigi Donnarumma risked a second yellow card by holding onto the ball – a move to prompt a huge brawl. A backroom staff member from both sides saw red in the melee, although Guardiola attests that none of his walked.
Dier converted, City threw away two points and Guardiola was left with Lahoz’s antics all those years ago haunting him, etched into his memory, an eye floater refusing to move.
‘I have nothing to say about Spanish referees,’ he said sarcastically and pointedly. An all too familiar scene in Europe: City departed bruised by the experience and clearly also angry at themselves too.
Former Tottenham and England star Eric Dier scored a late penalty to deny Manchester City their first away win in the Champions League, as Monaco claimed a 2-2 draw in the Principality
Monaco were awarded a late penalty after Nico Gonzalez made contact with Dier in the area
Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to pull off any last-gasp heroics as Dier converted from spot
DIER TAKEN FOR A SPIN
A guy hailing from a village near Oldham decided to rent a McLaren and whizz it through Monte Carlo on Wednesday night.
The exact location of his home was quickly apparent because on the roof of the sports car fluttered a City flag with the name Dobcross plastered across it.
Quite the spectacle for the locals who have to prove how wealthy they are before purchasing property here. All good fun, whizzing within the law, something a bit different in a principality of plastic.
He drove around the Monaco Grand Prix circuit like he was worth a million dollars but had come to see somebody valued at considerably more later in the day. One hundred times more? One hundred and fifty?
Erling Haaland took Dier for a spin or two as he continues to back up Guardiola’s assertion that City’s No 9 is going from strength to strength. Two goals on the night, both relying on supreme physique and scoring nous.
He revs the engine in sharp aggressive bursts for the quick laps, no tapping the break when games are there to win.
Dier will have felt as if he was in the front seat of that McLaren without a seat belt. UEFA should start providing Haaland’s markers with crash helmets, really.
Yet he still isn’t happy and partially blamed himself for the result. ‘I didn’t score or finish the game – so no [I’m not],’ he fumed.
Dier had the unenviable task of marking Haaland during the match – but had the last laugh
Erling Haaland could not hide his fury at full-time as he held his Player of the Match award
The striker continued his hot streak in front of goal with two fine finishes during the away draw
PEP STILL TINKERING
There are clearly things that Guardiola is trying to work through at the moment, different ways of playing, and the decision to name John Stones at right back is evidence of that.
Stones hadn’t operated there since February 2024 – and not in the Champions League for almost three years.
With Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis both on the bench, this was obviously something new to study rather than preserving any legs.
Stones did occasionally move into the middle of the park, as he did so magnificently from centre half during the Treble run.
The concept from full back is not alien for Stones himself but is new for somebody like Tijjani Reijnders to become familiar with, learning not to take up the same spaces.
Moments arrived where Guardiola was seeing what the coaching staff wanted and watching Stones stride ahead of Haaland when possession was over the other side of the pitch presented an intriguing development.
Guardiola mimed a dinking motion to the bench – a bench including ex-Liverpool coach James French, who has copied old boss Jurgen Klopp’s routine of staring down the opposition in the warm-ups – as if that had been a well-executed plan as City attempt to find fresh ways of attacking. They just needed a couple more.
Pep Guardiola has been left with plenty to ponder as he continues to tinker with his tactics
John Stones was deployed at right back – a role he hasn’t played in since February of last year
Monaco’s Jordan Teze levelled terms in the 18th minute to the delight of the home support
ADVERSITY BITES AGAIN
Guardiola’s discomfort with how City reacted to adversity in August, during defeats against Tottenham and Brighton, centred on his players not following the plan.
There were some short spells where Monaco built a head of steam and City needing to regroup. They had appeared more willing to continue doing the same things and not worry about the consequences.
The caveat for that ought to have been that Monaco are much inferior opposition. Manager Adi Hutter and sporting director Carlos Ibarrola under increasing pressure from supporters and with Paul Pogba – still not fit after signing in the summer – sat in his private box.
But they couldn’t see it out regardless, Haaland suggesting their energy levels dipped too much and there wasn’t enough intensity in the performance.
Guardiola though believes he saw enough to warrant enthusiasm at continued improvement. ‘In the analysis, the game was really good – many things were very good,’ he said. Maybe I have to watch it tomorrow but the feeling I have is good.’
