Manchester City were beaten by an impressive Bayern Munich side in the Champions League group A game. Bayern have now won their last ten games in all competitions, while City have yet to record a victory in their debutant Champions League campaign.
Mario Gomez scored twice for the hosts during the first half, in a game which could have seen Bayern win by an even greater margin. Gomez, who is the top scorer in the German Bundesliga scored his first goal after 38 minutes, following saves from the Blues goalkeeper Joe Hart from both Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller. Gomez was on hand again a few minutes later to score another goal from close range.
An insipid performance from City was made worse during the second half when striker Carlos Tevez, who was not in the starting eleven for the second consecutive game, refused to warm up and come on as a substitute, the unprecedented scene could now signal the end of his Manchester City career.
Tevez who had made his intentions of his desire to leave the club very clear during the summer, had cited his desire to leave due to family reasons. Despite interest from several clubs during the pre-season, which included Inter Milan and former club
Corinthians, a transfer away from the Blues could not be finalized. Tevez had also been replaced as club captain by Vincent Kompany, after his perceived disloyalty to the club by attempting to force through a transfer away from the club.
City manager Roberto Mancini has now stated that Tevez will never play for City again while he is the manager, however Tevez has since responded to the incident by stating that this was a misunderstanding and that he has always given his best for the club.
City’s off field problems seemed to be exacerbated when striker Edin Dzeko was replaced by Nigel de Jong ten minutes into the second half and he shook his head at Mancini as he left the pitch, which could be perceived as more dressing room unrest at the club.
Tévez signed a five-year contract with Manchester City in July 2009, after a much published transfer from rivals Manchester United, and he was made the club captain the following season, despite his prolific goal scoring record, he has made his intentions about his future quite clear, after first handing in a transfer request in December 2010, the player may well now lose the support of the fans and certainly the manager.