Manchester City are holding Bayern Munich to a 0-0 draw at half time of their opening Champions League Group E game at the Allianz Arena thanks largely to a string of impressive saves by Joe Hart.
The Citizens almost got off to the worst possible start as Thomas Muller raced onto Robert Lewandowski's flick and rounded Hart. The City goalkeeper seemed to clip the German striker, who stumbled as he struck the ball and stabbed it into the side-netting, but no penalty was given.
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Bayern completely dominated possession for the opening five minutes, but City slowly grew into the game and Edin Dzeko forced Manuel Neuer into his first save of the night with a powerful low drive from an incredibly tight angle.
Muller again came close for Bayern in the 20th minute with a thumping header which Hart did very well to push over the bar at full stretch.
Two minutes later, Hart was called into action again to deny Mario Gotze, but City continued to cause a threat on the break and Dzeko came within inches of putting the away side ahead with a curling, left-footed effort after an incisive breakaway led by the strong running of Yaya Toure.
The next impressive save made by Hart came when he pushed away David Alaba's half-volley in the 32nd minute, shortly after the left-back had gone similarly close with another rasping drive.
Bayern continued to stream forward and there seemed to be danger when Lewandowski collected the ball inside the area, but Hart forced the Polish striker wide and he scuffed his effort into the side-netting.
Bacary Sagna reminded the home side of City's threat with a glancing header in the 40th minute which Neuer had to punch away.
Kristian Johnson
