Late penalty gives Monaco 2-2 draw with Man City

MONACO – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was generally pleased with his team’s performance even as they were held 2-2 by Monaco in the Champions League on Oct 1.

Eric Dier’s late penalty handed the home side a draw, as an Erling Haaland double was not enough to give Guardiola’s men the victory.

The Norwegian striker netted twice in the first half for City either side of a Jordan Teze stunner, taking his tally for the season to 11 goals in eight games in all competitions.

It looked as though the 2023 European champions would leave the principality with a second win in as many outings in this season’s league phase, but they were denied by a 90th-minute spot kick.

Nico Gonzalez was penalised for a high boot on Dier inside the area at a Monaco free kick, with Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano eventually pointing to the spot after a long VAR check.

Dier stepped up to send Gianluigi Donnarumma the wrong way, as Monaco claimed a first point in this season’s Champions League and City moved onto four points from two outings following their win against Napoli last time out.

“That was a good game. We made some decisions, we created a lot of chances,” Guardiola said.

“They have fast, fast players. We concede few chances and create a lot in the Champions League so I’m really pleased for that but of course we were close.

“We could not defend well the free kick, and we concede the penalty. Football you have to win and it’s down to the result. If you analyse the game, in many things it was really good.”

On Monaco’s penalty, he added: “I don’t know if it was a penalty but it was given. So that’s that.

“Nico touched the ball first, no intention. But it is what it is. We have a point and we will take it.”

Haaland reached a half-century of goals in Europe’s elite club competition when he scored in the 2-0 defeat of the Italian champions two weeks ago, and a double strike at the Stade Louis II leaves him on 52 from 50 career Champions League appearances.

The Norwegian also scored twice late on in last Saturday’s 5-1 Premier League defeat of Burnley, and he got the breakthrough quarter of an hour into this encounter.

This was the first meeting of the teams since a memorable last-16 tie in 2017, won on away goals by the principality side after it ended 6-6 on aggregate.

That Monaco team included a teenage Kylian Mbappe and also Bernardo Silva, who was wearing the captain’s armband for City this time.

Monaco had Paul Pogba watching from the stands as the former Manchester United midfield star continues to build up fitness with the hope of soon making his debut after signing in the close season.

Without him they had an inexperienced midfield and were struggling to keep the visitors at bay.

At 2-1 up it seemed that would be enough for City to take all three points, then came the contentious late penalty award which gave England international Dier the opportunity to rescue a share of the spoils.

“We have six or seven top-level players out injured, but we never gave up,” said Monaco coach Adi Huetter.

“The players left their hearts out on the pitch. I am really proud of that. We deserved the draw.” AFP, REUTERS