By Boluwatife Kehinde
Manchester City’s flawless Champions League run came to a halt on Wednesday evening as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by AS Monaco.
Despite Erling Haaland’s brace, the Premier League champions left France frustrated after surrendering control late in the game.
Haaland looked sharp from the outset, opening the scoring to put City ahead and reaffirm his reputation as the team’s talisman.
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Monaco responded swiftly through Jordan Teze, whose equalizer highlighted the hosts’ determination to stand toe-to-toe with the reigning champions.
City reclaimed the lead in the second half, with Haaland again the difference-maker, rising above his marker to power home a trademark header.
For much of the contest, it seemed City would preserve their perfect group-stage record. However, lapses in focus crept into their play as the match wore on.
Monaco continued to press for a way back, and their persistence paid off when they earned a late penalty. Eric Dier kept his nerve from the spot, striking past Ederson to secure a valuable point for the Ligue 1 side.
After the final whistle, Haaland’s mood was one of disappointment rather than satisfaction with his personal performance.
The Norwegian striker, who has now scored multiple goals in back-to-back European fixtures, emphasized that individual brilliance meant little without collective success.
He admitted that City lost rhythm and composure in the second half, allowing Monaco back into the contest.
The draw not only ended City’s perfect Champions League start but also underscored vulnerabilities that opponents could look to exploit as the tournament progresses.
While the result does not derail Pep Guardiola’s side, it serves as a reminder that concentration and control must be maintained across the full 90 minutes at this elite level.
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For Haaland, the takeaway was clear: City’s performance simply wasn’t strong enough to warrant victory.
With tougher fixtures ahead, the striker’s honest assessment will likely resonate within the squad as they regroup and refocus on tightening their grip in Europe.
