What happened...
Manchester City’s UEFA Youth League run is over after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to Red Bull Salzburg following a 1-1 draw in Austria.
Hannes Wolf opened the scoring for the Austrians but Lukas Nmecha‘s reply saw Simon Davies’ City side take the hosts to penalties.
City initially had the upper hand in the shoot-out after Daniel Grimshaw’s save but misses from Brahim Diaz and Paolo Fernandes saw the hosts through.
The hosts broke the deadlock in 12th minute as first teamers Wolf and Xaver Schlager combined on the edge of the box before the former picked his spot and put it past Daniel Grimshaw.
City settled in possession as the half wore on but it was Wolf who had the next serious chance, forcing Grimshaw into an excellent diving stop low down to his left.
That increased composure bore fruit in the 30th minute as Paolo Fernandes’ burst and cross down created a scramble in the box that ended up with Nmecha tapping into an empty net.
City changed their shape in the second half, moving from a back four to defensive three. It gave them more bite in central midfield but it still required a number of vital interventions from Grimshaw, Tosin Adarabioyo and Cameron Humphreys to keep the scores level.
City had impressive moments of their own as the final whistle neared with Fernandes and Nmecha bringing important saves out of Zynel in the Salzburg goal to guarantee penalties, which would eventually see City bow out of the tournament.
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What it means...
City’s Premier League Cup side welcome Colchester United to the Academy Stadium on Sunday. Head to the ticket office for more information on how you can support our future.
Key moment...
As Diaz attempted to control Fernandes’ deep cross, his determination meant that the covering defender’s clearance was deflected into the path of Nmecha and City had a route back into the match.
Man of the match...
Daniel Grimshaw - Left with no chance for Salzburg’s opener, City’s goalkeeper played a vital role in ensuring City remained in the match through the rest of the first half.
How they lined up...
Daniel Grimshaw kept his place in City’s goal.
Demeaco Duhaney, Cameron Humphreys, Tosin Adarabioyo and Ed Francis were the defence protecting Grimshaw’s goal.
Sadou Diallo sat at the base of the midfield behind Rodney Kongolo and Paolo Fernandes while Brahim Diaz and Jadon Sancho flanked central striker Lukas Nmecha.
