City held in Greece

Roberto Mancini saw his Manchester City side keep a clean sheet and remain in sight of the last 16 of the Europa League with a goalless draw against Aris Thessaloniki in Greece.

It could have even better but Edin Dzeko, playing as a lone striker, was denied in the second half when goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis made a superb block from his towering header.

Even though Carlos Tevez had a quiet night, City carried more of an attacking threat than the home side and will be expected to complete the job in the second leg.

City showed their intentions early on and David Silva cracked in a shot from 20 yards after nine minutes that was turned away at the post by Sifakis.

Mancini's men 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.

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 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 wide.

The home side were growing in confidence and Juan Toja sprinted forward in the 63rd minute and fired in a shot that Hart was equal to.

Dzeko again came close to giving City the lead a minute later following a cross from Gareth Barry. Dzeko got in a towering header but Sifakis somehow managed to tip it over the top of the bar.

Play then switched back down the other end and Neto was denied by Hart as the game suddenly opened up and Barry did well to block a shot from Michel.

Mario Balotelli was then handed his first outing in six weeks following a knee injury when he replaced Shaun Wright-Phillips late on.