Manchester City scraped by Hoffenheim and its young 31-year-old manager for a 2-1 win on Tuesday in the Champions League. The Citizens scored a late winner through David Silva, but that the match was even close to begin with comes down to the play of the two goalkeepers involved — a play each, to be precise.
Hoffenheim took the lead in the first minute only to concede an equalizer by the seventh minute. City created more chances but Hoffenheim held its own and made it difficult on the visitors until David Silva’s sneaky goal in the 87th minute.
But the two plays that best sum up the match for both clubs came from their goalies.
Here’s Hoffenheim’s Oliver Baumann, a 28-year-old German. This incredible save kept the match at 1-1 in the first half.
Oliver Baumann
Hoffenheim 1-1 Manchester City at the half https://t.co/YwsFgNl3wl pic.twitter.com/IR2P5DAOGX— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) October 2, 2018
Now here’s Ederson, City’s 25-year-old Brazilian. This whiff nearly cost the Citizens the game.
Ederson wyd
Will either club find a winner? Watch the final 25 minutes https://t.co/YwsFgN3sEN pic.twitter.com/xHb1SFTtxX— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) October 2, 2018
Thanks to the pace of Leroy Sané, Ederson’s mistake did not result in a goal, but it’s never a good look to come rushing out of your box and completely fail to clear the ball.
It wasn’t all bad for Ederson though. His distribution was on point.
Typical Ederson #MCFC pic.twitter.com/oGDXK0dO4a
— ManCityzens.com (@ManCityzens_com) October 2, 2018
Baumann meanwhile had a strong showing against some of the best attackers money can buy. He also stationed himself well up the pitch, often outside his 18-yard box even as his team possessed the ball in its own half, but was never caught out of position. (Though Sergio Aguero nearly caught him out late before his attempted shot went well wide.)
Baumann was fortunate to not give up a penalty in the 73rd minute when he appeared to take down Leroy Sané in the box. No penalty was given.
73' ¡Piden penal para el City pero el árbitro dice: jueguen!
¿Era o no penal? Aquí la jugada #LaChampionsUD pic.twitter.com/4gYFZFF9iE— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) October 2, 2018
But Baumann was imperious in goal and Ederson was mistake prone, illustrating the difference between the two clubs on Tuesday. Hoffenheim didn’t have the better players, but they played as well as they could. City didn’t play poorly, but mistakes nearly cost the team two points.
The main mistake for City came in the opening minutes, when Pep Guardiola’s defense was torn apart for the opening goal.
A 1st minute goal for @achtzehn99_en against @ManCity
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) October 2, 2018
Once again, #ManCity found themselves in a surprising early hole in #UCL. Their defensive line was all over the place, allowing Ishak Belfodil to get in behind and put #Hoffenheim up 1-0 at home.#TSGMCI #MCFC pic.twitter.com/iMgbQEjsxh
— #ThankYouDeuce (@JogaBonito_USA) October 2, 2018
City wasted no time finding an equalizer.
And just like that, @ManCity get one back.
— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) October 2, 2018
But the Citizens couldn’t find a way past Baumann again until 80 minutes later, when David Silva snuck in to steal the ball off a Hoffenheim defender and smash it into the back of the net.
Defense turns into offense. David Silva scores in the 87th minute to give @ManCity the lead
Catch the finish https://t.co/YwsFgN3sEN pic.twitter.com/VvXBzCx4QW— Bleacher Report Live (@brlive) October 2, 2018
The three points were massively vital for City, which lost its first Champions League match to Lyon and couldn’t afford to sit on one point through two matches. Ederson, for one, will be relieved by the win.
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