Manchester City failed to end Salonika's 24 game unbeaten home run in Europe but settled for a scoreless draw in the first leg of the Europa League last 32 tie in Greece. This was City's first meeting with Greece opposition in Europe and on the balance of play should probably have ended with a victory as Edin Dzeko should really have scored at least once for a series of chances.
Overall Roberto Mancini will be delighted with this result and will be rightly confident they can win the tie next week at Eastlands.
City were always in control but Aris defended doggedly to keep their 40 year unbeaten European home record and on the couple of occasions the home side threatened Joe Hart between the sticks pulled off a couple of smart saves.
Referee: Alberto Undiano Mallenco (Spain)
Venue: Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium Attendance: 21,000
Aris Salonika scorers: Man City scorers:
ARIS SALONIKA 13 Michail Sifakis 02 Neto (Castillo 88) 05 Guiaro 16 Michel 24 Lazaridis 32 Vangeli 08 Toja 14 Faty 55 Prittas 22 Bobadilla (Cesarec 72) 88 Sakata
Substitutes 01 Vellidis, 03 Oriol, 17 Kaznaferis, 19 Mendrinos, 33 Cesnauskis, 09 Cesarec, 77 Castillo
MAN CITY 25 Hart 02 Richards 13 Kolarov 17 Boateng 28 K Toure 08 Wright-Phillips (Balotelli 77) 18 Barry 21 Silva 42 Y Toure 10 Dzeko (yellow card) (Zabaleta 84) 32 Tevez
Substitutes 01 Given, 04 Kompany, 05 Zabaleta, 19 Lescott, 24 Vieira, 27 Jo, 45 Balotelli
