Man City claim spot in Champions League last-16

Manchester City have booked their spot in the last-16 of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach at Borussia-Park.

The point coupled with Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona ensured City’s progression as Group C runners-up.

City had won the reverse fixture 4-0 in September but found the German side far sterner opposition this time out as Raffael gave them the lead midway through the first half, before David Silva levelled matters for City on the stroke of half-time.

There were to be no more goals in Germany, just two red cards, as Lars Stindl (Gladbach) and Fernandinho (City) were both sent off, as City kept the scores level to ensure a spot in the knock-out stages.

The opening chance of the game fell for the home side as Mahmoud Dahoud found Fabian Johnson in the box to tee up Stindl; however, the effort on target was straight into the waiting hands of Claudio Bravo. Stindl turned provider minutes later as he played Johnson into the box, this time the effort was far better, but Bravo managed to get down low to save.

The German side’s impressive start was rewarded with Stindl setting up the opener, leaving John Stones for dead as he got down the left wing, before crossing for Raffael to fire home leaving Bravo no chance in the nets.

The goal revived City as they pushed forward and came close to getting back level. Kevin De Bruyne found Ilkay Gundogan at the top of the box to lash at goal, only for keeper Yann Sommer to get down well to save.

Bravo had to be on hand again to stop Gladbach from doubling their lead. Oscar Wendt slalomed past two City defenders and went for the strike with Bravo getting down low to stop with Stones clearing the ball long.

Just as it looked like City would trail at the break they struck back. Gundogan played a superb ball to Raheem Sterling on the right, who played on for De Bruyne to cross to the centre where David Silva clipped past Sommer for 1-1 at half-time.

The game took a dramatic twist just after the break as Stindl, having owned the game in the first period, was given his marching orders as a foul on Nicolas Otamendi saw him get a second yellow and an early bath.

City looked to press home their man advantage with De Bruyne shooting from a tight angle and Sommers collecting. But ten minutes after Gladbach went down to ten men, City followed suit, with Fernandinho also booked for a second bookable offence and sent to the sidelines.

Despite the setback City continued to press and Sommer had to produce a top-drawer stop to repel a fierce effort from De Bruyne with a one-handed stop from a shot at the top of the box.

It had been a quiet night for Sergio Aguero but he oh so nearly gave City the lead as he stretched to connect with a Silva cross only just failing to connect.

It was Jesus Navas next to have a pop for City with an effort from the right being matched by Sommer in goal.

With less than five to go Otamendi had a free header in the box from a Silva corner but his effort was wild and wide and really should have been a lot better. It mattered not as City claimed the point and with it their spot in the European elite’s last-16.

Photo(@Getty Images/Patrik Stollarz)

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