Villarreal 0 – 3 MAN CITY – MY THOUGHTS
3 Nov
A confident performance, clinical finishing, assured defending and we’re in control of our Champions League destiny. We needed a win from this game if we were to have a realistic chance of progressing and thanks to a more than good enough performance against an underwhelming Villarreal team, we got the three points. A victory in our next group game away to Napoli, a task sure to be far tougher than this one, and we’re through.
A superbly taken brace from Yaya Touré, who once again displayed his penchant for performing on the big stage, and a classically taken Mario Balotelli penalty secured the win and it was fully deserved. The home side were woefully disappointing, showing a total lack of ambition and with them inviting City pressure, all we needed was some patience and a touch of quality. Once the first goal went in, that was that as far as the result went.
One of the most pleasing aspects from last night was the return to form of Nigel De Jong. We saw last season what a crucial player he is for the team in terms of providing a balance to our attacking stars, shielding our defence and retaining possession, but with his lengthy injury this campaign, we’ve missed his bite in midfield. That has been evident in our previous Champions League games where sides are more capable of counter-attacking, and without the presence of the Dutchman, we’ve looked vulnerable. Fortunately for us, he was back to his destructive self against Villarreal and his possession stats (100 out of 101 successful passes) are incredible.
The performances of David Silva and Yaya Toure were equally pleasing and this win should give us the belief that we can progress to the next stage. It was a thoroughly convincing performance and we should take great heart from the fact that we were victorious against a side who have competed in the Champions League for a number of years and have caused many sides problems in the past.
Admittedly, they are in the midst of an injury crisis, but we disposed of them with a ruthless streak, one that should serve us well for the Napoli game. That match, played in front of an intimidating Italian atmosphere, is key to the group. A win there and we advance, a draw and we’re still in control, but a defeat and we’re then left relying on others.
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Wasn’t exactly a vintage performance, and Napoli are going to be a far tougher challenge. We will have to be at our best
It is true that Napoli is a tougher task but we should not make a mountain out of a mole hill. They were very luck to get away with a draw when they played us considering the amount of possesion and chances they had comapred to us.