RedemptionNOUNThe action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.
A cold evening in Manchester saw two teams contest one of the greatest Champions League clashes of all-time. While the fans may remember it as the game when Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City came back twice to beat Monaco 5-3, it will not how everyone on the pitch would remember it.
For some, it was two of Europe’s most attacking teams taking on each other, fighting to secure a berth in the Quarter-final of the Champions League. But for a few, it was a night of redemption.
It was a night of redemption for a Colombian striker – who has been branded as a ‘has been’ by the English media. For a certain Argentinian striker, it was a night of redemption as he proved to his manager and probably his biggest doubter that there may be a new kid on the block, but he is still there and he won’t give away his territory without a fight. And in the end, it was a night of redemption for a good old young English ball-playing defender.
Falcao traveled to the English shores from France in 2014 as he looked to make a name for himself in the most popular league in the world. He had tormented Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea, and had already made a name for himself as one the most feared strikers in the world.
However, an ACL injury ruled him out for the 2014 World Cup and since then it was all going downhill for him. He joined Manchester United – on loan from Monaco – in 2014, but suffered a disastrous season as he netted only 4 times in 29 appearances for the club.
That was followed by a loan stint at Chelsea, which again did not go as per plan, as he only scored once in 12 appearances. The British media were quick to label him as a ‘has been’ and renounced him to be suitable only for smaller leagues.
But Falcao didn’t give up. He had worked so hard to reach the top and he won’t allow an injury and the media to tell him how good a footballer he is. He was out to prove a point in the same City where he was once ridiculed.
After Raheem Sterling had opened the scoring for Manchester City in 26th minute, Falcao equalised only 6 minutes later heading the ball past Caballero to bring the two teams on level terms.
It was not long after the Falcao goal that Sergio Aguero went down in Monaco’s box under the challenge of goalkeeper Danijel Subasic but instead of getting awarded a penalty for the foul, the Argentine was booked for simulation – a booking that baffled many.
Monaco took the lead soon after as Kylian Mbappe blasted one into the top of the net before the two teams made their way back at half-time.
Immediately after the break, Falcao had the opportunity to make it 3-1 after Nicolas Otamendi brought him down inside the box. However, the Colombian’s tame spot-kick was stopped by Willy Caballero and along with it came rushing back, the memories of Falcao’s English misadventure. But the 31-year-old didn’t give up.
On the other hand, Aguero – who had started the game only because of the injury sustained by the young Brazilian import Gabriel Jesus – equalised after Subasic allowed a rather simple shot to squirm underneath him.
In the build-up to the game, much had been talked about Aguero’s future at the Etihad outfit and Pep Guardiola’s comments, which read something like this:
“What I feel now is that if Leroy, Gabriel or Raheem don’t play, then he will be in for them.”
The Spaniard comments were clear, Aguero was no longer a starter but rather, he was a back-up for one of his first-choice front 3.
But Aguero was not going to settle for a place on the bench and even if he was forced to settle for it, he was going to do everything in his power to prove to Guardiola that he deserved to be started.
Coming back to the game, with the scores level at 2-2 and the game evenly poised it was time for Falcao to redeem himself – once and for all.
A long hopeful ball was threaded towards the left of City’s box. Falcao raced to it and got hold of the ball before cutting in and holding off a meek challenge from John Stones – who could have cleared the ball had he tried to but he instead opted to play his way out of the situation, young English ball playing defender (you see) – before audaciously chipping Caballero from inside the Argentinian’s box – a sight of beauty. Falcao had silenced the Manchester crowd and in that silence was his redemption.
After the stadium had recovered from Falcao’s thing of beauty, David Silva swung the corner in and Aguero was at hand to apply an acrobatic finish to it, making it 3-3 on the night. The Etihad had erupted and with that not only did Aguero redeem himself, he also proved a point to his big doubter.
Stones atoned for his early mistake, leading to THAT Falcao goal, by bundling home from close range after a corner was directed towards him by Yaya Toure. It was the 77th minute and the scoreline read 4-3 but it was still anybody’s game.
Only a few minutes later, Leroy Sane hit Monaco with the Sucker Punch as he caressed the ball into an empty net – after Aguero rounded off Subasic and put the goal on a plate for him.
The game finished 5-3 but the tie is far from over. Monaco have 3 away goals to their name while City have a 2-goal cushion. Who will triumph in this clash, of two of the most attacking outfits that there is, is anybody’s guess.
To think that is only the first leg of the round of 16 clash between the two sides is mouth-watering for the neutral, for at the end of the day – who doesn’t love attacking football?
