Man City's Uefa guest hints at boost to hopes of avoiding Champions League ban

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UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin sat next to Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak as qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League was secured.

That was the most notable aspect of an utterly forgettable 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk that could prove hugely significant to the long-term prospects of this club.

The sight of Khaldoon and Ceferin side by side could be viewed as a thawing of relations at a time when City’s very participation in European football’s grandest prize is under intense scrutiny.

With the Premier League champions under investigation for alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play, Ceferin’s attendance will give rise to the growing belief they could avoid a ban from the competition Guardiola is so desperate to deliver to the Etihad.

It is claimed that a fine may be the extent of their punishment, if they are to receive any at all, removing the threat that has hung over them since leaked emails were publicised Der Spiegel last year.

City have always maintained their innocence – but there was a belief in certain quarters that Uefa were ready to come down hard on them.

A ban could have seen them ruled out of the competition in what would have been the final year of Guardiola’s contract next season.

That could have made this year the Catalan’s last chance to conquer Europe if he walks away at the end of his current deal.

His hopes of a third Champions League – after winning it twice with Barcelona – took a step forward as City booked their place in the last 16 as Group C winners, despite a flat draw at home.

Ilkay Gundogan’s second-half strike was cancelled out by Manor Soloman – but a draw was enough to secure top spot, with Atalanta winning 2-0 against Dinamo Zagreb.

Aguero the key to catching Liverpool

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How Manchester City cope without Sergio Aguero could well determine whether their title defence goes beyond Christmas.

Qualification to the knockout stages was secured without their all-time record goal-scorer – but the draw with Shakhtar underlined his importance to Guardiola.

In his absence they produced one of their flattest attacking performances in recent memory.

Gabriel Jesus will be expected to fill the goal void left by Aguero’s thigh injury – and the Brazilian’s ability to lead the line over the next three weeks or so could be pivotal to keeping them in the title race.

It is no disrespect to the man once described as the ‘new Neymar’ to say he is no Aguero.

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Who could realistically match the brilliant Argentine’s strike-rate?

That’s a consideration for the not-too-distant future for City – but it’s the here and now that’s their primary concern.

Jesus is a different type of animal up front, with his selfless running one of the qualities Guardiola appreciates most.

His tenacity set up Gundogan’s goal – and might have made another for David Silva, if not for a goal-line clearance.

But City simply lack the cutting edge when Aguero is not at the point of their attack – which could prove costly in the coming weeks.

City showing weaknesses

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Shakhtar appeared to follow the lead set by Chelsea in trying to exploit City’s vulnerability over the top.

Frank Lampard’s side could and should have punished the champions when attacking the space between the centre backs and Ederson in their 2-1 defeat on Saturday.

And Shakhtar tried the same ploy here.

Twice early on they caught out Fernandinho and Nicolas Otamendi with a high ball over the top.

Only Fernandinho’s goal-line clearance prevented Tete from giving the visitors the lead when Ederson was caught stranded from goal.

It will be fascinating to see if more opponents adopt similar tactics in the coming weeks.

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