Viktoria Plzen 0 – 3 MAN CITY – PLAYER RATINGS
18 Sep
Hart - One flap early on from an inswinging cross but settled after that and wasn’t tested a great deal. Looked to distribute the ball quickly - 6
Zabaleta - With Navas operating high up the pitch and possessing such lethal pace, it made Zabaleta’s overlapping runs a much more difficult task, but he tried manfully to bomb forward. Defensively sound in one-on-one situations and a couple of important clearing headers - 6
Kompany - Great to have his authority and leadership back and he seemed strong, eager and forceful. Dominant aerially and quick to nip in ahead of the striker - 7
Nastasic - Looked more comfortable with the presence of Kompany alongside him and whilst he didn’t produce an overly commanding display, it was solid enough to help keep a clean sheet - 6
Kolarov - Unfairly booked early on and then conceded a freekick moments later, but settled down quickly and was a threat on the left. His defensive weaknesses are known and he must get tighter to his winger to prevent a stream of crosses invading our area, but he managed to offer a dangerous attacking outlet for the most part - 6
Y. Touré - Liberated from the defensive shackles he views with disdain and he was all the better for it. Influenced play high up the pitch, involved in dangerous areas and a constant presence. Ran at the home side’s defenders, showed a good, quick touch and delivered the glorious second goal - 7
Fernandinho - With Yaya operating in his advanced role, it meant that defensive responsibility was shifted onto Fernandinho’s shoulders and he struggled. It wasn’t all his fault, clearly, but we were frightfully open in the first half, with no cover in front of our defence. He seemed a touch lightweight, slow to anticipate danger and was constantly trying to curb his attacking intents - 5
Navas - Offers a direct threat which provides variety and he showed that once again last night, getting his head down, finding the byline and either putting a cross into the centre or winning a corner. Crowded out on occasions but some promising signs - 6
Nasri - Inspired, purposeful, tireless, pivotal: not words that would normally be associated with Nasri but all could be used to describe his performance last night. Took on the creative burden, worked much harder than normal and, crucially, showed a willingness in possession to make things happen. The challenge for him is to make this the norm, rather than a one-off - 7.5
Aguero - Having missed all of pre-season, it was bound to take time before he soared to somewhere near his best, but he was there yesterday, terrorising Viktoria Plzen with his movement, pace and dribbling skills. The strength and persistence he showed to create Dzeko’s opener was remarkable and he only got better, manoeuvring his way into a position to slot home our third goal. My man of the match - 8
Džeko - A typical Dzeko performance, complete with some good touches and some awful ones, a composed finish and some wayward shooting, the occasional inspired moment and plenty more groan-inducing ones. He remains a beacon of inconsistency but continues to score - 6
Subs
Milner - Replaced Navas in the second half but our burst of intense, high-tempo football had ended and he didn’t have any meaningful impact - 6
Garcia - An easy enough ten minutes - No time to mark
Negredo - Would have been disappointed not to have been named in the startling line-up - No time to mark
Fine ratings but would have to disagree with Hart’s distribution. Pelle was imploring him to play out from the back, and not once on a goal kick did he do so. And rarely did he throw a simple ball to an outlet, instead flapping his arms and telling his defenders to push up the pitch so he could send a 50/50 ball across the halfway line. For Hart to become top class and for City to be a truly dominant possession team, his ball retention, in both decision-making and practice, must improve.
Thought Kolorov’s first half display was atrocious. Why was the yellow harsh? It was intentional. Then he follows it up with a crude foul….hello McFlyyyy?
Worried about Fernandinho. £30mish? Whose decision was it as not Pelligrini’s. Still, he may need to bed in.
Oh dear, it’s like listening to an old cracked vinyl 78! You don’t like anything about Kolarov, I think we’ve got that message.
If he scored a hat trick against the Rags Sunday you’d find something to criticise. On the whole, as I usually do, I thought VfaB’s comments fair. Nasri played well, so did Kolarov to a lesser degree, these players often don’t so why begrudge a modest bit of credit where due?
On the subject of Fernie and Navas, these players are still settling in, give them a break. Fernie was a stand out player in the CL last season, it isn’t his fault we paid £30m for him so stop throwing that it his face. I am happy to trust the judgement of the Barca Boys who have done superb business so far in more ways than one.
Players in and out have been slick and timely, the imposition of a lower basic salary for new contracts with big bonusses for success is very sensible and sustainable and with the summer business concluded the wage bill has fallen hugely. To criticise their signings this early is a bit premature don’t you think Crispy?
Yes, I admit I go on about Kolorov because he simply doesn’t cut the mustard at this level. If Kolorov scores a hattrick against United I will gnaw my hand off on webcam streamed live on to this website. I make such a bold (and of course futile as I woouldn;t do it even if he did!) gesture because I know he won’t do it. I’m not suggested his job is to score a hattrick. Quite the opposite. I expect him to defend mostly, with the occasional attack rather than vice versa. Anyway, you’re right, I am sounding (reading?) like a broken record so I’ll stop sounding off about him. I simply can’t agree that he played well last night though – two crosses (one good, one blasted at Sergio’s head) doesn’t mean a decent game. Nasri was better than usual I grant thee.
Fernadino and Navas – I appreciate they are settling in hence why I caveated my comments concerning them. I liked what I saw of Navas for Spain and pre season but I can’t understand why Fernandinho was prioritised over and above a world class centre back.
Any improvement from any City player should delight City fans. I would truly wish Kolarov would become the best left back in the world! and not only defends well, also scores shit load of goals every game [what City fan does not want that!]. But the truth of the matter is that he is no good. A bit of improvement [though welcome] is not going to cut it for playing at the level City is going to play. This is his fourth year in City shirt and he has had enough time to be at the very least a decent DEFENDER. I personally dread the thought of him playing against United due to his track record [he has been nothing short of failure majority of times].
3-0 yes.
Convincing? Not for me.
Plzen are more like a Div 2 side and they ran us ragged at times in the first half.
Just to echo a few points and introduce a few fears:
I don’t think Fernandinho is going to make it – I know it’s only his 5th or 6th match but he hasn’t ‘got it’
Pairing:
Fernandinho and Toure – doesn’t work
Aguero and Dzeko – doesn’t work
Hate to say it but….Zabaleta and Navas – doesn’t work
Kolarov, Garcia, Dzeko, (still) Nasri – get rid. (Fernandinho working his way into this group!)
Bring Barry back!
Navas is another one I am not sure about at the moment. If he plays, I look forward to seeing how he does against United
Thank God for Kompany!
Finally- where is Jovetic? Is there something wrong with him?
Gordon Bennett!
We have our own Rag mentality building up steam here!
You’ve written off the player that was the top target for the player acquisition group after 5 games and want to get rid of one of the most prolific strikers we’ve had in decades -yeh right!
I’ll not waste time on most of that uncalled for rant but but on the Jovetic quation I will. The main problem with Jovetic is fitting in more than 11 players at any one time JJ. Maybe you didn’t spot that?
Someone has to be on the bench and just now the 22 year old is behind three very good strikers for the No 9 & 10 shirts. He’ll get his chance soon enough. With 60 games to play, injuries, suspensions and loss of form he’ll not be on the bench for ever; it’s called having strength in depth. When he does get a run I can’t wait to find read about how he’s failed to meet your cultured expectations!
I waited decades, travelling thousands of miles, watching some really toxic performances and this is the best group of palyer that I have ever seen at the club.
I better go and take my blood pressure pills.
I this the same plzen who beat napoli 5-0 on aggregate in the europa last season who won a group containing atletico madrid and drew with an ac milan team containing ibrahimovic and thiago silva 2 years ago? Like to see a 2nd division team do that
Slightly flawed logic there. By way of example, “Isn’t this the same Bradford City who kncoked Arsenal out of the cup less than 2 yrs ago?”
Honestly some of the crap I read in terms of irrational judgements based on a couple of games.
Fernandinho hasn’t got it? Gonna remember that because I believe the opposite,
This doesn’t work that doesn’t work? Zab and Navas have been together for minutes, you think partnerships are built overnight?
Nothing wrong with Jovetic, just you
Thank you Sir.Your post restores my belief in City fans!
You too Josh, Viktor – keep the faith
I will fight them with you Alph, don’t worry about that
Fernadinhao is a fine player and I think he had a decent game. He needs time to adapt much like a lot of new players. Our signings have been great this summer and I am sure they come good and it is normal to expect that now and then you get a player who go Jo/Kolarov on you but not the majority. I personally think the criticism of new signing is totally irrational tough folks are entitled to their opinion.
Nasri has been like this all season, he works hard for the team, all the talk about him being lazy is bullsh*t!
He doesn’t deserve all the sh’t he is getting…