Champions League: Aguero strikes in comeback win for City

Twenty four hours after warning his players that they could be “killed” by Monaco’s attacking strength, Pep Guardiola said Manchester City will be eliminated from the Champions League if they fail to score in the return leg – this despite City holding a 5-3 lead from a thrilling, encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

Champions League first leg knockout tie.

To be absolutely clear, we’re looking for the teams he scored goals against in the Europa League, Champions League and European Super Cup.

Raheem Sterling’s opener in the 26th minute was met with a response by Falcao and youngster Kylian Mbappe, both of whom scored to ensure Monaco went in 2-1 ahead at the break.

Shortly after half-time Willy Caballero saved Falcao’s tame penalty and in the 58th minute Aguero equalised after Subasic’s weak attempt to save. However, the result has made sure that the Monaco-based outfit continued their unbeaten run in this calendar year.

Falcao did restore Monaco’s lead with a sublime lob after making a fool of John Stones, but then City hit top gear.

Caballero admitted he had a mixed night. If Tuesday’s extraordinary 5-3 victory over Monaco doesn’t get the supporters on side with the competition, then it’s probably a lost cause.

Or so we thought.

But Guardiola wants his full-backs to join in with City’s attacks too.

“It was a insane game”, said Cabellero. We have to enjoy this but we don’t have anything yet. We are lucky guys.

Guardiola told a news conference on Monday that Kompany would be available for the FA Cup replay at the Etihad Stadium on February 28 but would not be fit to face the Ligue 1 leaders. To live this experience helps us a lot in the future.

“It’s always important to win and not concede when you play at home”, he told City’s website. Everybody has to be congratulated because if one team can score a thousand million goals, it’s Monaco!

Monaco boss Leonardo Jardim praised his side’s performance but also rued their mistakes in not killing off their opponents.

After the interval, things looked as if they would go from bad to worse for the home side when Monaco were awarded a penalty but Falcao’s awful effort was comfortably saved by Willy Caballero who is not the greatest goalkeeper but can at least save a shot unlike Claudio Bravo. “But we’ve got 90 minutes to go, playing at home, so it’s far from over”.

But following Jesus’ foot injury, which will rule him out for much of the season, Aguero has been recalled to the starting line-up by the Manager. City favoured the left, where Leroy Sane frequently combined with Fernandinho, Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva. City have had issues at full back which have not been addressed meaning Fernandinho endured a hard night in the unfamiliar position at left back.

Monaco striker Radamel Falcao also missed a penalty in a match where the overall goal tally could have reached double figures, such was the open-ended nature of the game.

Falcao scored twice on Tuesday night – as many times as he did during his entire stay at Man United. He’s “well worth backing” to find the net, says Hain-Cole. The pressure will really be on.

They could put another midfield player in front of their defence instead of just having Yaya Toure there as they did in the first leg. They are physically strong and are a top, top team. “We have distance but we have to play against a fantastic team”. And he has every reason to fear Monaco who “play like an expensive, sexy Leicester”, according to JJ Bull of the Daily Telegraph.

Three of City’s goals came in a blistering 11-minute spell after they fell 3-2 behind in the second half but, with both sides fully committed to attack, it seems unlikely the scoring is over.