Manchester City see off Timisoara to reach Europa League group stage
English Premier League outfit Manchester City comfortably saw their way past FC Timisoara in the UEFA Europa League play-offs to secure their progression to the group stage of the competition.
Strikes from Shaun Wright-Phillips and Dedryck Boyata were enough to secure a 2-0 victory at the City of Manchester City Stadium after winning the first leg 1-0 in Romania.
City boss Roberto Mancini had tinkered with his starting line-up with Mario Balotelli — who scored in the first leg — out injured and team captain Carlos Tevez being named among the substitutes. Jo, who was making his first City start in 19 months, led the line along with Emmanuel Adebayor. England international Shaun Wright-Phillips and veteran Patrick Vieira came into midfield, with Gareth Barry and summer signing Yaya Toure left on the bench.
Dominant home side
City had dominated the game as they pegged back Timisoara into their own half. Mancini’s only cause for concern came early in the first half when Mircea Axente burst into the penalty area but was only able to fire into the side-netting of Joe Hart’s goal.
Though they were in complete control of the match, it took until seven minutes from the interval before City found themselves an effort on target. Brazilian striker Jo had been deployed on the left of attack, but cut inside to meet David Silva’s cross. However, his header from six yards out was tipped over the bar by 6ft 8in goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon.
Micah Richards’ headed effort from the following corner was then cleared off the line before Adebayor surged forward and saw his low shot fly wide just moments later.
Pressure brings reward
The continued pressure brought its rewards just before half-time when Vincent Kompany passed to Vieira, who then slid the ball between two of the away side’s defenders before Wright-Phillps fired home from 14 yards past Pantilimon’s reach.
The casual pace City had employed in the first half became an all-action attacking affair after the break. Just moments after Adebayor had a shot saved, City found their advantage increased. David Silva fired in a cross from the right from which 20-year-old Belgian defender Boyata rose to head home in the 59th minute.
City did not hold back though, and pressed forward in a bid to score even more. Adebayor, who put in a strong performance throughout, pounced on an under-hit backpass by a Timisoara defender but his effort flew harmlessly wide. The impressive Silve also had a chance to put his name on the score sheet but his shot was saved by Pantilimon. Jo also wasted an opportunity as he sent his header out of play instead of into the back of the net.
Goalkeeper yet to concede
The clean sheet means that Hart is yet to concede a goal for City this season.
After the match, Mancini said that he was targeting a run to the final for his side and took time to praise the efforts of Boyata.
He told his club’s official website that: "It was important that we play well, and now we are in the group stages. We have a good team. In the Europa League, you meet other good teams, but I hope that we can get to the final. It might not be the Champions League, but it is still important. We started the game very well. It was difficult because they had 10 players behind the ball and sometimes we couldn't find any space. But I think it was a good game.
"Dedryck is a good player, and he played very well. I'm happy that he scored his first goal. He was ready to step into the team when he was needed, and that is important."
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