UEL: Manchester City slip against Sporting Lisbon (1-0)

Manchester City conceded a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Sporting Lisbon, in the first-leg of the eighth-finals of the Europa League, at Estádio José Alvade, in what was an unenthusiastic performance from the Premier League side.

The Citizens return home with an one-goal disadvantage in the final-16 round tie with the Portuguese side, after failing to recover from a Xandão goal, scored in the first minutes of the second-half.

Roberto Mancini’s men entered eagerly in the game, but were hampered during the fixture, as Vincent Kompany was forced to leave the pitch with a leg injury within the first 10 minutes of the match.

Things were becoming gradually worse for the visitors, as Sporting were the clear possession dominators, as well as creating goal threats to Joe Hart’s net. However, the Citizens also continued to push forward, but their lack of determination didn’t get them to the goal score, as the first-half ended goalless.

At the beginning of the second-half, the home side confirmed their superiority with Xandão scoring in Brazilian style, in a fine black-heel, after Joe Hart failed to grab and hold the ball with his hands after a Matias Fernandez free-kick.

An uninspiring Manchester City failed to reach the equalizer, as  one of their best chances was ruined by David Silva, who failed to get the ball into their opponents’ back of the net, after Balotelli, who came in as a substitute raced down the left  and sent the ball into the Spaniard’s path, who could only get the ball to the post and out for a goal kick to Sporting.

Mario Balotelli nearly scored in the final minutes of the match, but his header cannoned off the bar.

The Premier League table toppers will definitely have to up their game in the second-leg of the Europa League final-16 round tie if they want to progress to the next stage.

Europa League 2011/12 2012/03/08, 18:00, Lisboa Sporting 1:0 Man. City  Xandão 51' Video 03:19 Watch video > Match Events >

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