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City prevail over nine-man Primavera

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City prevail over nine-man Primavera
City prevail over nine-man Primavera
City prevail over nine-man Primavera

Manchester City’s Under 19s claimed maximum points from the opening group game of this year’s UEFA Youth league, winning 4-1 against a Juventus Primavera that had to play the majority of the encounter with ten and latterly nine men.

Fabio Grosso’s charges could not have hoped for a better start when in the ninth minute Andrea Favilli took full advantage of City keeper Daniel Grimshaw’s error to lob into an open net and put his team in front.

However, only seven minutes later, the Bianconeri’s task of defending the lead was made difficult when Giulio Parodi was given his marching orders and the hosts only took five minutes to find the equaliser when Aaron Nemane capitalised on a mistake by Primavera stopper Mattia Del Favero to stroke into an open net.

Juventus’ number one would keep his team-mates in the game with a smart block on Manuel Garcia’s effort, as the sides entered the break on level terms.

Just four minutes into the second period, however, the visitors were reduced to nine men when Francesco Cassata picked up his second booking of the evening for a foul on Patrick Roberts, who would give City the lead just three minutes later with a goal from close-range

On the hour-mark Vadalà gave the home side a scare when he followed up a mazy dribbling run with a shot that finished just wide of the mark moments before Mattia Vitale’s free-kick forced Grimshaw into a smart save.

As City controlled proceedings with their two-man advantage, Del Favero got his gloves to efforts from Nmecha and Roberts, but there was little the 17-year-old could do about Will Patching’s 90th minute strike.

And the Citizens added a fourth when Nmecha picked up Roberts’ accurate ball to drive home late into added time.

Speaking after the match, Fabio Grosso was keen to take the positives out of a spirited performance, in which his men long had to contend with a major numerical disadvantage.

“We knew that it would be a difficult match at 11 versus 11, let alone with just nine men on the pitch. That said, the boys kept going, showing good stamina, until weariness inevitably set in. We’ll focus on the things we did well, but credit to Manchester City, who played very well,” he said.

The Primavera will look to bounce back from the opening day reverse when they entertain Sevilla on Wednesday 30 September.

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