Manchester City 1-3 Lyon: Player Ratings as Citizens Crash Out of Europe
By Max Cooper
Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League in dramatic fashion at the José Alvalade Stadium on Saturday evening, losing 3-1 to Lyon after another horror show performance in the Champions League.
Pep Guardiola's men fell behind in the first half, but pulled level midway through the second half thanks to Kevin De Bruyne. Lyon had other plans however, and a brace from super-sub Moussa Dembele handed the French side an unbelievable victory, as they progressed to the final four of the big European competition.
Let's have a look at the ratings on another shock night of Champions League football.
MANCHESTER CITY
1. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Ederson (GK) - 3/10 - Caught in no-man's land for Lyon's opening goal, may feel he should have done better with the second, but he was absolutely horrendous for the third. Terrible.
Kyle Walker (RB) - 5/10 - Experienced a heart-in-mouth moment when his cushioned chest-pass back to Ederson almost skidded beyond the Brazilian. Then caught playing the Lyon forwards onside for Cornet's goal. Poor.
Fernandinho (CB) - 5/10 - Defended in a back three when out of possession, and pushed into midfield as Man City swarmed forward. Was found wanting for Lyon's first goal, then picked up a yellow to compound his misery. Subbed early.
Eric Garcia (CB) - 6/10 - Was unfortunate that his efforts to deny Ekambi resulted in Cornet's super strike. Had some difficulties with containing Depay. A tough evening.
Aymeric Laporte (CB) - 5/10 - Allowed his marker to escape to leave the Citizens trailing, and couldn't cope with Ekambi's physicality and desire. Looked to have been clipped for Lyon's second goal, but question marks must be raised over this display.
Joao Cancelo (LB) - 6/10 - The most impressive of the backline, Cancelo provided plenty of attacking threat while covering his defensive duties manfully.
2. Midfielders
Rodrigo (CM) - 5/10 - Struggled to get into the game, being constantly tracked by Memphis Depay. Missed a great chance to equalise just before half-time, scuffing a shot straight at Lopes.
Ilkay Gundogan (CM) - 5/10 - Offered little in terms of penetration or ingenuity, while also struggling to protect his defenders from Lyon's speedy counter-attacks.
Kevin De Bruyne (CAM) - 8/10 - Provided one of the best almost-assists of the season, carving Lyon open with a ball around the back of the defence. Dragged Man City back into contention with a calm and accurate finish. Couldn't carry them over the line.
3. Forwards
Gabriel Jesus (ST) - 6/10 - Anonymous in the first half, but came alive when his side found a way back into the game. Forced a smart save from Lopes after creating a chance for himself. Should have done better with a volley later on.
Raheem Sterling (ST) - 6/10 - Final ball let him down two or three times early on, but battled and put in the hard yards up front. Unfortunate not to level the scores on the stroke of half-time, controlling excellently but seeing his effort deflect over the bar. Laid on the equaliser with some lovely individual work. Then... missed an absolute sitter for 2-2. Unbelievable miss. Unbelievable.
4. Substitutes
Riyad Mahrez (RW) - 6/10
David Silva (CM) - N/A
LYON
5. Goalkeeper & Defenders
Anthony Lopes (GK) - 8/10 - Made up for a poor parry with a brave second save in the first half. Opted to punch most efforts, and although far from convincing, he got the job done. A hero at the end.
Marcelo (CB) - 8/10 - One of many tremendous displays in this stubborn Lyon defence. Marcelo defended every ball into the box, headed every cross, through himself in front of every shot. Huge.
Jason Denayer (CB) - 8/10 - Not an easy task to keep Raheem Sterling quiet, but he was an incredibly confident and dominant presence at the back. Strong in the tackle, no-nonsense with the ball at his feet, Denayer was magnificent. Back to haunt the Citizens.
Fernando Marçal (CB) - 8/10 - Tested Ederson with a fierce drive in the opening exchanges. Marshalled the left side of Lyon's defence well, and enjoyed the odd foray into the Man City half.
6. Midfielders
Leo Dubois (RM) - 7/10 - Picked up a quick yellow card for a late challenge, and walked a tightrope for the remainder of the game. But Dubois rose to the challenge, stopping Man City building up any speed on that right flank.
Hessoum Aouar (CM) - 9/10 - What an exciting player. Dynamic, courageous and wonderfully talented, Aouar was unstoppable in the Lyon midfield. He performed his defensive duties expertly, and broke from deep to torment the Man City defence at every given opportunity.
Maxence Caqueret (CM) - 8/10 - This man seems to enjoy suffering. Caqueret disrupted Man City's flow at every opportunity, forcing his opponents to find new methods to break Lyon down. Essential in the final goal.
Bruno Guimaraes (CM) - 8/10 - Tidy in possession and brilliantly drilled, Guimaraes delivered a performance of maturity far beyond his 22 years. Assured and confident on the ball, he kept Lyon moving forward smoothly.
Maxwell Cornet (LM) - 8/10 - Broke the deadlock with a fantastic, accurate finish into Ederson's near post and performed his defensive duties with plenty of gusto. A great game.
7. Forwards
Memphis Depay (ST) - 7/10 - Performed an excellent job of marking Rodri when Man City were in possession, stopping them from finding their rhythm. Offered a selfless and mature display for his teammates, linking the front line with the bursting runners from midfield.
Karl Toko Ekambi (ST) - 7/10 - Ran the defence ragged with his endless energy, streaking in behind to create Lyon's opener. A relentless performance.
8. Substitutes
Thiago Mendes (CM) - 7/10
Kenny Tete (RB) - 7/10
Moussa Dembele (ST) - 9/10 - SUPER SUB! Dembele came on to replace Depay, and instantly found himself with a chance to swing the game back in Lyon's favour. Typically, he took it. Then killed the game off with a cool tap in. Cold-blooded.
Reine-Adelaide (CM) - 7/10