• Bayern Munich 1-0 Manchester City, Champions League

Boateng stunner breaks City hearts

Jerome Boateng fires in an unstoppable volley to win the match for Bayern Munich © Getty Images

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Manchester City came within minutes of a precious point in Munich only for Jerome Boateng to haunt his former club with a wonder winner.

Joe Hart had been in exceptional form throughout the evening, making a string of fine saves, but the City goalkeeper was helpless to prevent Boateng's volley from an angle in the box flying into the far corner and sparking wild celebrations on the touchline.

Match Analysis

• Man of the match: He was a broken man against Bayern in the group stage last season, yet Joe Hart was exceptional this time around. Only a superb goal could beat him.
• Villain of the match:: Thomas Mueller got into all the danger areas often enough but did not bring his shooting boots with him.
• Key moment: City would have earned a precious point but for Jerome Boateng, a former City player, volleying in an absolute pearler in the last minute of normal time.
• Steven Saunders

Thomas Mueller signalled Bayern's intent when, 41 second into the match, he rounded Joe Hart only to skew a shot at the open goal into the side netting. It was the sign of things to come for Bayern in a frustrating first half, with Hart pulling off some terrific saves, most notably from Mueller's header on 19 minutes.

At the other end, Edin Dzeko curled a shot narrowly wide after creating space for himself in the Bayern box, but City were kept largely to looking for chances on the break.

Bayern continued to press in the second half, with Hart saving smartly from a Mario Gotze volley, although City could have taken the lead when David Silva headed wide from six yards having timed his run into the box perfectly.

City survived a scare in the 80th minute when Arjen Robben, a second-half substitute, tumbled to the ground under Fernandinho's challenge, but the referee decided it was neither a penalty nor a dive. There was then a stronger claim at the other end as Silva was brought down by Medhi Benatia, who was making his Bayern Munich debut, but again the referee was unmoved.

It looked certain that City would escape with a point, but Boateng's moment of magic stole all three for the hosts at the death.

City had a let-off in the first minute as Gotze slipped in Mueller. The World Cup-winning forward took the ball in his stride and skipped round Hart, creditably staying on his feet despite a possible touch from the goalkeeper, but could only find the side-netting.

City were pushed back and it was some time before they were able to enjoy some possession. When they did they showed they wanted to give as good as they got. Silva always looked composed on the ball and his clever reverse pass set up a good chance for the threatening Dzeko, whose first-time shot tested Manuel Neuer at his near post.

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At the other end Robert Lewandowski, on whom pressure is beginning to mount as he seeks his first home goal since joining Bayern in the summer, was denied by a well-timed Bacary Sagna challenge.

Hart then began to remind everyone of the talented goalkeeper he still is, saving twice in quick succession from a powerful Mueller header and a well-struck Gotze drive.

Boateng fired over and Alaba shot wide as Bayern maintained their tempo.Yet City, and particularly Dzeko, were still a threat and the Bosnian curled a good effort narrowly wide.

Boateng also made a vital interception as Jesus Navas got behind the Bayern defence and looked to pick out the lone frontman.

Hart came to City's rescue again when Alaba tested him with another firm shot and although Lewandowski did get round the keeper, he could only find the side-netting.

Bayern pushed again early in the second half with captain Philipp Lahm firing wide from distance. Mueller did well to keep another attack alive and find Gotze, but he could not get sufficient power on a shot to beat Hart.

Hart seemed to have been caught out when he missed a cross but he instantly redeemed himself by tipping over Benatia's cross back into the danger area.

Bayern wanted a penalty when the resulting corner dipped over Hart and struck Fernandinho at the back post, but Spanish referee Alberto Mallenco saw no handball.

City chances were becoming a rarity but Silva had a good one when he got ahead of his marker to meet a Navas cross but he could only divert his header wide.

Hart had a moment of alarm when he fumbled a long-range effort from Rafinha and the ball dropped to the feet of Mueller but the striker was flagged offside.

City turned to the fresh legs of Aguero with 16 minutes remaining, sending on the Argentinian for Dzeko, while Robben entered the fray for Bayern two minutes later.

Robben was soon in the thick of the action, going down in familiar style in the area after a challenge from Fernandinho, but nothing was given.

Silva was also denied a penalty after a challenge by Benatia but Bayern finished strongly with Boateng stinging Hart's palm before beating him moments later when the ball fell to him from the resulting corner - via a slight deflection off Gotze's back.

Thomas Mueller misses an open goal in the first minute as Bayern forced the issue in Munich © Getty Images

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