Plauderecke » Aguero scored a hat trick in a come-from-behind

ROME - English champion Manchester City is finally starting to show it can compete in Europe.Samri Nasri scored one goal and set up another as City won 2-0 at Roma on Wednesday to reach the Champions League knockout phase despite missing three key players — including top scorer Sergio Aguero.I dont think that this team is just one player and I think that today demonstrated that, City coach Manuel Pellegrini said.Entering the Stadio Olimpico, City faced a steep challenge to avoid its third group-phase exit in four years.City struggled at home against Roma and in both matches against CSKA but had already showed signs of a recovery when Aguero scored a hat trick in a come-from-behind win over Bayern in the penultimate round of group matches.We recovered and I think were playing exactly the same way were playing in the Premier League, Pellegrini said.It looked as if Roma was set to go through until Nasri found the target with a long, rising shot on the hour mark. Then Pablo Zabaleta doubled the visitors lead in the 88th following a perfect pass from Nasri.Romas best chance was a header off the post from Kostas Manolas in the 72nd.Bayern Munich easily won Group E — considered perhaps the competitions toughest — with 15 points following a 3-0 home win over CSKA Moscow. City finished second with eight points, Roma was third with five and will play in the Europa League. CSKA finished last, also with five points.Since the Abu Dhabi United Group took over City in 2008, the club has won two Premier League titles — in 2012 and 2014 — but failed to advance past the second round of the Champions League.Well see in February about that, Pellegrini said when asked what his squads goals are now. Were just happy were qualified for the next stage.The win must have been a relief after Aguero injured his left knee Saturday, ruling him out for six weeks. Also, star midfielder Yaya Toure was suspended, captain Vincent Kompany sat out injured and David Silva, who also was coming off an injury, only came on midway through the second half.Roma controlled at the start but failed to take advantage.In the first 15 minutes we could have done more and scored, Roma coach Rudi Garcia said. But we were also unlucky. They hit the post and the ball went in. We hit the post and it bounced out.But theyre more mature and have more experience in these types of matches, Garcia added. Were still learning. ... We need to play in Europe every year and gain more points to avoid these difficult groups.Without Aguero, Edin Dzeko spearheaded Citys attack with support from James Milner, Nasri and Jesus Navas.Roma had a similar 4-2-3-1 formation with Gervinho, Miralem Pjanic and Adem Ljajic behind 38-year-old captain Francesco Totti.Roma had the first chance five minutes in when Jose Holebas was set up by Totti and nearly got his shot under Joe Hart but the City goalkeeper managed to slow the ball just enough to prevent it from going in.After a strong start from Roma, City began to move forward and Milner threatened from the left flank in the 20th, testing Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.Then it was Nasris turn to set up Dzeko, who was blocked by Manolas and couldnt find the target.Milner had another opportunity in the 39th, forcing De Sanctis to push the ball wide.Combined with Bayerns win, a 0-0 draw would have been enough for Roma to advance — which would have been no small feat following a devastating 7-1 home loss to Bayern in October.But Nasri had other ideas, taking advantage of the slightest amount of space at the edge of the area and banging in the decisive goal off the post.Then the Frenchmans pass required Zabalata to merely slot the ball past De Sanctis from the centre of the area. 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Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed on Sunday that his starting goalie has a head injury and the team will take it day by day. WASHINGTON -- Chris Paul called it a "must-win." Blake Griffin deemed it a "Game 7," which, technically, it was. Like many weary teams before them, the Los Angeles Clippers could have mentally checked out when faced with the final game of a long road trip. Instead, they shared the ball impeccably and wrapped up a tougher-than-it-shouldve-been East Coast swing Saturday night with a 113-97 win over the Washington Wizards. "We wanted to try to turn this from an OK trip into a good trip," Paul said. "There was a lot of factors. Its a long flight back home, and weve got a lot of sore losers on this team." Los Angeles never trailed and had assists on 27 of 39 field goals, including 16 of 21 in the first half. Paul finished with 38 points and 12 assists, and the Clippers shot 56 per cent to conclude a 4-3 journey that included games against six Eastern Conference teams, leaving them 6-6 on the season against the pedestrian East and 10-3 against the mighty West. "This was important to close out," Griffin said. "We kind of looked at it as like a Game 7 for us, being on the road. Game 7, got to win. I thought we responded well." Griffin had 16 points and nine rebounds and was particularly vocal, keeping his teammates focused on the game at hand. The Clippers, on the road since Dec. 2, had already logged more than 6,000 miles on the trip. "Blake Griffin, every timeout, kept saying, No letup. Were the tired team, lets not think about it. Lets keep playing," coach Doc Rivers said. Paul was also at the forefront of the dont-let-up agenda. Sure, he was exaggerating when he called this a must-win in the wake of Thursdays loss at Brooklyn, but sometimes thats what it takes. "Were going to make him say that every night," Rivers joked. Paul went 11 for 14 from the field and made all 11 of his free throws. Jamal Crawford played the fifth man instead of the sixth man, making his first start since April 9, 2012, and finished with 17 points. Jared Dudley, who apologized to fans onn Twitter after a 1-for-7 shooting performance against Brooklyn, found his game and carried the Clippers early, going 4 for 5 in the first quarter and finishing with 16 points.dddddddddddd "Hes a great shooter," Rivers said. "Its not going away forever. It just went away for a little while, and we wanted it to come back as soon as possible." John Wall had 24 points and 12 assists for the Wizards, who have lost four straight since reaching .500 for the first time since 2009. The outcome appeared predetermined when coach Randy Wittman announced before the game that Nene would sit out again because of a foot injury. The Wizards have lost seven in a row when Nene doesnt play and are 3-24 without the Brazilian forward since the beginning of last season. But even Nene probably wouldnt have made much of a difference against the efficient Clippers. "You could see theres a difference between the teams, the way they talk to each other, the way they communicate, just basically the rule of winning," Washington centre Marcin Gortat said. Gortat, who went 3 for 10 from the field, also stirred the pot by saying the Wizards arent using him the right way. "I dont like the position I play," Gortat said. "Im constantly drifting more and more away from the basket and quite honestly, thats not my game. ... I just think Ive got to talk to Coach and just clear things up." The Clippers were always in control, but a 6-0 run consisting of nothing but dunks -- one by Griffin, two by DeAndre Jordan -- pushed the lead to 19 in the third quarter and pretty much settled the matter. The Wizards trailed by double digits for the entire second half. "They got everything they wanted," Washington swingman Trevor Ariza said. "We didnt get any stops." NOTES: Crawford started ahead of Willie Green because Rivers wanted to see how Green played with Darren Collison on the second unit. Rivers isnt sure if hell stick with that plan. ... Washingtons Kevin Seraphin scored a season-high 16 points. ' ' '