Manchester City claimed a 2-0 victory over Roma to reach the last 16 of the Champions League this evening.
Samir Nasri fired in to give City the lead and a late goal from Pablo Zabaleta sealed the win.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at the events that unfolded at the Stadio Olimpico.
Match Statistics:
ROMA:
Shots 15
On Target 9
Possession 57%
Corners 7
Fouls 11
MANCHESTER CITY:
Shots 9
On Target 4
Possession 43%
Corners 4
Fouls 17
Was the result fair?
It was a very evenly matched and tight contest, but City just about deserved to win. From the start, Roma dominated the possession, but they failed to really trouble the visitors' defence and Joe Hart was only called into making a couple of difficult stops. As the game wore on, City began to see more of the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch and they looked more likely to score.
Indeed, when the goal came it was a stunning effort from Nasri that left Roma needing to score twice in the last 30 minutes. Aside from a Kostas Manolas header that hit the post, the home side mustered a weak response, allowing City to confidently see out the match and claim the points.
Roma's performance
The hosts made a positive start to the match and it seemed that they were not content to settle for a goalless draw. Jose Holebas saw a close-range effort saved by Hart and Gervinho fired wide as they showed a real attacking threat. They gradually found it harder to get in behind the City defence, but at half time they were the team heading through.
That all changed on the hour mark when City took the lead and they never looked like getting back into the game. They still saw most of the ball, but were well closed down by their opponents. Despite an opening-day win over CSKA Moscow, it has been a frustrating Champions League campaign for Roma and they will now have to play in the Europa League when the competition resumes in the New Year.
Manchester City's performance
There has been so many times in this season's Champions League that City have looked dead and buried, but they managed to fight back again when on the verge of an exit. It took them a while, but they gradually stamped their authority on the game and caused plenty of problems for the Roma defence. In the first half they looked particularly threatening down the right, where Jesus Navas constantly got in behind and was able to deliver teasing crosses.
Needing to score in order to progress, the goal came out of absolutely nothing. The game had gone quiet when Nasri cut in from the left and unleashed a stunning drive into the top corner. It gave City something to hold on to and despite a couple of scares, they saw out the rest of the game to claim the result that they needed. It could be a huge moment in the history of the club, as they will now look to progress beyond the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Samir Nasri: With Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure missing, City needed someone else to provide a moment of inspiration. That man proved to be Nasri, who opened the scoring with a wonderful goal. His effort left the keeper grasping at thin air and he played a part in the second with a well-measured pass into Zabaleta, who coolly slotted home.
Biggest gaffe
There were no glaring defensive errors this evening, as the game was settled by a wonder strike from Nasri. Morgan De Sanctis can't be blamed and it's doubtful that any keeper would have stopped the goal.
Referee's performance
Milorad Mazic officiated the game well and allowed the play to flow. He was not called upon to make any big decisions that could have impacted on the result and only handed out three yellow cards.
What next?
Roma: Roma are back in league action with a trip to Genoa on Sunday.
Manchester City: The Citizens face a clash against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Alex Meyers
