HT Aris Salonika 0-0 Man City: Dzeko goes close

Manchester City had plenty of possession in the first half of their Europa League match against Aris Salonika but had nothing to show for their efforts.

Striker Edin Dzeko came closest to making the breakthrough when he got on the end of a cross from Aleksandar Kolarov but saw the goalkeeper save at the second attempt.

Dzeko was named as the lone striker with Carlos Tevez playing a deeper role in this last 32 first leg match.

Mancini named a strong side for today's Europa League last-32 first leg match in Greece.

The Italian paired leading scorer Carlos Tevez with Edin Dzeko up front in a bid to end Aris' 40-year unbeaten run in European competition at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium.

Dzeko was one of four changes to the side that lost 2-1 to Manchester United in the derby on Saturday. Jerome Boateng, Kolo Toure and Shaun-Wright Phillips were all recalled to the side.

The atmosphere in the stadium was electric as the game got under way with fireworks lighting up the night sky just before kick-off.

It was easy to see why so many teams have failed to cope with surroundings over the years.

City were the first to show and David Silva cracked in a shot from 20 yards after nine minutes that was turned away at the post by goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis.

Then Tevez tried his luck from distance five minutes later but his effort finished wide of the target.

Tevez was playing a deeper role than normal with former Wolfsburg striker Dzeko on his own up front.

City stepped up the pace and Dzeko almost opened the scoring in the 16th minute.

He got on the end of a driven cross from Aleksandar Kolarov but saw his close range shot gathered by the goalkeeper at the second attempt.

City were keeping possession well and frustrating an Aris side, who came into the match on the back of a home defeat by Olympiacos.

City launched a swift counter-attack in the 28th minute but Dzeko only succeeded in drilling his shot into the body of Sifakis.

Dzeko was finding plenty of room and four minutes later latched on to a ball from Gareth Barry but his finish was wayward.

Aris were finding it a struggle to get going but won a free-kick after goalkeeper Joe Hart handled outside the area.

Referee Alberto Mallenco allowed play to continue in the 39th minute but after consulting with his assistant brought Hart to book.

That appeased Aris, whose players surrounded the assistant after the ball ran out of play.

Neto took the free-kick but his effort went the wrong side of the post.

About 1,000 City fans had made the trip but any attempts to cheer on their side were drowned by the home supporters, who did not stop chanting and singing throughout the half.