Raheem Sterling's open-goal miss leaves Rio Ferdinand and Gary Lineker staggered

‘How do you miss that? If you want anyone to have that opportunity it’s him’: Raheem Sterling’s open-goal sitter leaves Rio Ferdinand staggered as Gary Lineker says he ‘tried to hit it too hard’

  • Raheem Sterling missed an open goal as Manchester City crashed out of Europe 
  • The BT Sport pundits said he put too much power in his effort which sailed over
  • It was a crucial moment as Lyon went on to score a third goal a minute later 
  • Ederson was at fault as he spilled a weak shot for Moussa Dembele to pounce

Raheem Sterling’s open-goal miss against Lyon left the BT Sport studio stunned with Gary Lineker claiming the England man ‘tried to hit it too hard.’ 

Sterling had the goal at his mercy after Gabriel Jesus has laid the ball across to him, but the forward got his finish all wrong as he leant back and blasted an effort way over the crossbar. 

The striker could have drawn Manchester City level but instead Lyon went down the other end to score a third, just a minute later.

Raheem Sterling missed an open goal before Lyon went on to score a third goal a minute later

The England international could only blast his effort over the bar after a set-up by Gabriel Jesus

The England international could only blast his effort over the bar after a set-up by Gabriel Jesus

BT presenter Lineker and pundit Rio Ferdinand tried to work out how the striker managed to miss the golden opportunity to draw his side level.  

‘How do you miss that?’ a shocked Ferdinand questioned.

‘If you want anyone to have that opportunity it’s him.’

The forward has been more clinical in front of goal this season, netting 30 times in all competitions.

Lineker suggested Sterling would be having nightmares about the miss and claimed he had tried to put too much power behind the ball.

‘He’s tried to hit it too hard,’ said Lineker.

Sterling and his team-mates were distraught at full-time as City crashed out of the competition

Sterling and his team-mates were distraught at full-time as City crashed out of the competition

‘The only way you can miss it is if you put your foot through it. All you’ve got to do is let your foot hit it. He’s tried to hit it with a bit of force. He’s going to not sleep well tonight.’ 

Lyon’s third goal came 59 seconds after Sterling’s miss with goalkeeper Ederson this time the man making the mistake.

The Brazilian could only palm a weak shot straight to the feet of Moussa Dembele who tapped-in from close range.

Former City goalkeeper Joe Hart was watching on in the studio and said the whole team had lost their composure by the time of the third goal. 

Ederson was at fault for Lyon's third goal as he palmed the ball straight to Moussa Dembele

Ederson was at fault for Lyon’s third goal as he palmed the ball straight to Moussa Dembele

‘It’s the situation of the game. If this is a well struck shot he saves it,’ said Hart.

‘It’s desperation, Ederson will say he’s got to do better but it’s the situation of the game. They were flustered, the whole team’s head was gone.’

The result meant Pep Guardiola’s side crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage once again.

source: dailymail.co.uk