'That's what fans remember me for most' - Llorente on that goal at the Etihad
Mon 17 April 2023, 17:00|
Tottenham Hotspur
Incredibly, it's now four years ago to the day since Fernando Llorente scored that goal for us at the Etihad which saw us edge Manchester City on away goals to book our place in the Champions League semi-finals - and our former striker admits its a night he'll never forget.
One of the most crazy and dramatic nights in our recent history, but also one that holds a firm place in the heart of players and supporters alike, we overcame all the odds back in April, 2019, to reach the final four of European elite football competition for just the second time.
Holding a 1-0 advantage from the quarter-final first-leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, we headed to Manchester knowing a clean sheet would see us through to face Ajax, but little did we know we would be involved in a Champions League knockout match for the ages.
Within four minutes of the first whistle, City were back level in the tie through Raheem Sterling. Just six minutes later though, a Heung-Min Son double had us 3-1 ahead but, by 21 minutes, it was all square once more! Sergio Aguero then put the hosts in front for the first time on 59 minutes but Fernando, a second-half substitute for Moussa Sissoko, came on to level the tie once again on 73 minutes - an away goal that would ultimately take us through.
Yet, there was still time for some more drama in the north west as, deep into stoppage time, Sterling looked to have won it for the Citizens, only for a VAR review to rule it out for offside, preserving our advantage and seeing us through to the semi-finals.
Highlights: Man City 4-3 Spurs | 2018/19
Now retired from professional football after hanging up his boots for the final time in February, we recently caught up with 'Fer' to reminisce about that glory, glory night.
“The goal that most fans remember me for is that quarter-final goal I scored in Manchester,” Fernando said. “The match against City was an explosion of emotion! Things that don’t normally happen during a match created so much excitement and entertainment, 20 minutes in and there had been five goals!
"The score was jumping to and fro, with each side taking the lead then giving it away. There was a period where we thought we were dominating the match and then would get a goal and turn the tide of the match.
“When Sissoko was injured and I was chosen to be substituted on, moments like these are never easy when entering such a high-intensity match off the bench as it can be hard to adjust and meet the rhythm of the match.
"You don’t have the time to do an intense warm-up on the touchline and before you know it you are in the thick of this spectacle. I think that I was able to read the game well and I scored the all-important goal to get us through to the next round. I’m very happy to have this moment.”
