well we should be in for a night of drama here at the home of manchester city i'm derek ray i'm
joined for commentary by former arsenal fullback lee dixon and we've got so much to look forward to
this is where it all begins in europe's premier club competition the uefa champions league
the group stage match day one action this ought to be a thriller league
yeah it's very important that you're not playing catch up in the group
stages match day one imperative you get off to a good start ronaldo
and here's the manchester city lineup ederson begins in goal
alexander zinchenko starts with kyle walker as full backs rodri starts with kevin de
bruyne in the center of midfield and the main striker is the unmistakable cristiano ronaldo
this is how the visitors will set up today why check shenzhen
starts in goal andrea radio starts with rodrigo bentancur in the center of midfield
and looking at the attack paolo dybala plays with morata
it's the opening match day champions league group stage match day one underway
de bruyne now zinchenko ruben diaz rodriguez
city moving the ball forwards what can they do from
is a very here start perfect way to open
well here's the replay it's a really good passing move in the build-up and that's a good header eye
on the ball concentration it's a lovely finish another girl again albeit from a different angle
one nil
kevin then bruyne
alexandro
keolini
morassa
danilo
cleared away
given away by [ __ ]
federico quies up
the ball with kieza
keolini
just the challenge that was required
the pressure was on the keeper following the threaded pass
kieza oh nice ball over the top to chase and he's in
ventancure
a really effective shielding under pressure good defending to prevent
the chance oh what's he gone and done and it goes the leveller thrilling stuff here
well i'm almost lost for words here derek it's such sloppy defending
you can't be giving the ball away there and not expect to get punished just really poor
well he's furious and why not they've thrown this lead away
so a level contest
well no stopping him now will they be able to play it in behind the defense
and just like that they've lost possession
and dribbling with it but out of play
alexandra now keolini
rabio the high press was owned and that's a fantastic tackle
morassa it's with bentancur delete
keolini now rabiot dybala
disappointing pass
lovely bowl over the top
anderstein it's in well the girl
will not stand it is offside yeah good football there but just straight offside
not a huge chunk of added time one minute
alexandra now and so the halftime whistle is sounded here in manchester
but he was busy and influential in the first half morata certainly lee i wonder
what you thought of his performance well he's been involved in most of the positive things
and so the second half of this champions league group stage match day one contest commences
rabiot
delete
danilo
pressure exerted but he keeps the ball and an opportunity here for them to get their
noses in front from the corner and now the delivery and that's easy peasy for the keeper
quick thinking to dispossess his opponents
thou shalt not pass was the message delivered and they could face difficulties here
this might be the perfect counter-attacking opportunity will they profit from this situation
we'll be putting across into the right place but no one able to finish it off
they've regained possession
over the touch line for a throw-in
and time for the change now
he's in with a chance
and a very good challenge
and the counter looks on here options available
defenders need to cover goalkeepers ball every day of the week
wow what technique when the ball comes to you and you don't need a touch and you can just
whack it first time like this what a goal again albeit from a different angle
well he's got to be delighted with his players a big smile on his face they've got the noses
in front they're in the lead well done what a big moment in the dying embers will it prove
the visitors have totally controlled possession but after that it's been
really disappointing players are looking at each other you've got to take control you've
got to take responsibility yourself make something happen in this game
potential danger
after the foul a chance to contemplate what is next and perhaps a goal from his free kick
and now both sides will make personnel switches
good defending to prevent the chance this could square the game
and a fine tackle well it's a cracking atmosphere in here
the players just need to harness that energy from the crowd to see them through in this game
keolini
it's where bentancur delete getting it forward but they need an equalizer
de bruyne breaking it face
and there to intervene
and only two minutes remaining here
we are going to have two additional minutes
so full time it is and the morale boosting three points on the board to begin the european campaign
well it's everything you want from the start of match one good
strong start that result will give everybody confidence especially the players well done
cristiano ronaldo usually excels and tonight no exceptionally he's always a man to watch for the
opposition but they couldn't keep tabs on him in that vital moment when he grabbed that goal
you