European novices have players to go distance
Nobody who witnessed the way David Silva and his teammates demolished United at Old Trafford before handing over to the reserves to steamroller Wolves 5-2 a few days later in the Carling Cup, can have any doubts that Roberto Mancini’s side are now serious contenders as they prepare to return to Champions League action on Wednesday.
Some of their football during both those matches would have been well received even at the Nou Camp; not least the swift interplay between Silva, Yaya Toure, James Milner, Pablo Zabaleta, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero that led to so many goals at the Theatre of Dreams. And it is not only the results that have made rivals across Europe sit up and take notice — although winning 6-1 at Old Trafford would surely have done so on its own — but also the style of the goals scored by a team that only last year was accused of being over-defensive.
The swift one-touch passing and clever movement of Silva, when allied to the midfield power of Toure and the clever touches of Balotelli, look more Spanish than English and the team is visibly growing in confidence by the week.
Performances in Europe have so far been less impressive — a home draw against Napoli, a defeat at Bayern and a scrambled last-minute victory over Villarreal following a frustrating night at Eastlands that was only transformed in injury time.
But nevertheless, City go into the return tie with Villarreal in Spain knowing victory would leave them with an excellent chance of reaching the last 16 by at least finishing second in Group A; and with a home match to come against current leaders Bayern Munich, there is even an opportunity to qualify in first place.
Midfielder Nigel De Jong said: “Scoring that late goal against Villarreal was a real boost for our Champions League hope, especially as Bayern and Napoli drew the same day. It means everything in the group is open.
“Our performances haven’t maybe been to the same level as in the Premier League but you have to realise the Champions League is different and although we have experienced players we don’t have experience of the competition as a group.
“If we get through then why couldn’t we win it? I don’t think we are far away.”
Only a few months ago, captain Vincent Kompany was suggesting the aims for the season should be challenging for the title at home and aiming for the quarter-finals in Europe; but already those ambitions have been extended following such a remarkable start to the campaign.
It’s not easy to find a City player predicting victory in the Champions League, but the underlying confidence is certainly there to quietly aim for it.
“Our group is very tough and it’s preparing us well — playing teams like Napoli, Bayern Munich, Villarreal. These are really strong teams and if we can get through we will be in a good position to go further,” said Argentinian Pablo Zabaleta. “The squad is great, we know we have good players and we know we have a great team. ”
It would be unprecedented for a team playing its first season in the Champions League to end up winning the trophy, but such is the strength of City’s squad and the rapidity of their progress that even the likes of Barcelona have been taking notice.
“City can do it,” admitted Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola, who guided his own team to the title against Manchester United at Wembley last season.
“If you see the players and you see their manager they can do it. Maybe they don’t have the history in the last years to play in the Premiership or Europe but if you see those names they are awesome.”
If Guardiola is convinced, then who are we to argue?
CITY’S REMAINING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
Nov 2: Villarreal (a), Nov 22: Napoli (a), Dec 7: Bayern Munich (h).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
