Manchester City's fading European dream stays alive

Roberto Mancini obviously knows the Maths well. 3 points are vital to qualifying in the group of death regardless of the outcome at Madrid. England trio James Milner, Johan Lescott and Micah Richards were dropped, so as bench specialist Edin Dzeko. Mancini employed a 4-2-2-2 formation, pairing up Tevez and Aguero with the support of Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri.

In the do-or-die match, Manchester City's terrible 1st half performance put them on the back foot. There was lack of energy and intensity. Organisation at both ends of the field was poor. With Javi Garcia sitting deep in midfield, Gareth Barry could not define his own position and was often found running aimlessly. Ajax did not find their opponents hard to defend with the lack of width and teamwork. As a defender himself, Frank De Boer found the magic to neutralise a team which Ajax's winger Ryan Babel commented as a group of great individual but could not play as a team.

What made worse was the collapse of Mancini's proudest department --- defence. Two poorly coordinated corner defence left De Jong unmark and beat the innocent Joe Hart from close range twice. Just as Mancini was finding the white flag in his pocket, Yaya Toure reduced the deficit with an impromptu back-to-the-goal volley. Individual excellence kept Manchester City's hope alive.

At ultimate desperation, Mancini turned to Mario Balotelli. With Javi Garcia removed, Barry was more settled and Manchester City eventually took control of the game tempo with the more invasive formation. Ajax attempted to contain with  team effort but often found themselves struggle to get out of their own half. The better attacking plays were never converted, with Aguero twice disappointed the fans with boot slips near the box. Meanwhile, De Jong was marginally close to complete his hat trick but was denied twice by Joe Hart.

Just as if the experience of Christian Poulsen had helped stabilise Ajax, and De Jong and Eriksen were able to see more of the ball, Manchester City constructed a simple but important leveller. A long goal kick, Baloetelli's flicked header and Aguero's right foot shot reignited the hope in Etihad Stadium.

15 minutes to go and with the deflated and tired Ajax, fans started to recall last season's dramatic scene of Aguero's last minute title-winning strike. Nevertheless, it was officials rather than goalkeeper Vermeer standing in their way. Aguero's goal was disallowed when linesman judged another substitute Kolarov was offside before his delivery. The last minute shirt-pulling incident involving Balotelli in the box was neglected as well by the referee.

 It would be another furious press conference for Roberto Mancini, but in truth Manchester City was never the team who deserved to win. The point earned at home tonight extends their Mission Impossible to Germany. A much better and convincing performance is in need for a victory over Dortmund next game week.