MAN CITY 2 – 1 Villarreal – MY THOUGHTS
19 Oct
Laboured and unconvincing, but ultimately successful. It wasn’t a vintage performance but it didn’t need to be. The most important element from last night was to secure the win and we did. Just.
Sergio Aguero’s 94th minute goal keeps us in contention to advance, but up until that moment, we had been uninspired, lacking in creativity and were struggling to break down an obdurate Villarreal. The relief when the Argentinean bundled home was palpable and it really felt like a vital goal, a huge moment for the club in our quest to impose ourselves on this competition. A draw last night and we would have been virtually on our knees. With the win, hope is restored and we’re back in the thick of it.
However, as elated as we are, and the hope is that this will inspire us to produce our best football in this competition, we should not forget how poor we were overall. As has befitted our Champions League experience so far, it was a momentary loss of concentration that gifted the Spaniards an early goal. David Silva’s underhit pass wasn’t great, but Nigel De Jong, famed for his tough tackling, shirked a challenge and was at fault as the ball fell kindly for Cani to slot home an intelligent goal.
That early strike against us seemed to have a worrying effect and what should have been a superb occasion became one fraught with nerves. The players weren’t able to find their passing feet and their tension was felt by the crowd. We lacked any sort of tempo or desire and it was incredibly frustrating to see us plod along, lacking a cutting edge.
Roberto Mancini sensed this and made the early substitution of Adam Johnson, bringing on Gareth Barry to solidify the midfield and allow Yaya Touré to push further forward. Johnson was upset at coming off, but Mancini’s proactivity and ruthlessness in rectifying a mistake at the earliest possible opportunity should be commended. Many managers would have waited until half time, but the Italian was bold, astute and the change paid off.
Pushed further up in order to support the lonely Edin Dzeko, for half an hour Yaya was magnificent. His pace and power were too much for our opponents and his marauding runs forward enabled us to regain the initiative. He always seems so limp and laboured in a defensive midfield role and I’d like Mancini to keep him in the advanced position.
Another concerning element was how exhausted we looked. We had large spells of possession yet a number of our players were visibly shattered. Perhaps it was down to nerves, but whatever it was, if we tire so early against Manchester United on Sunday, we’ll pay the price. That game will be far tougher than this; we’ll have to press them high up, chase any lost ball and we can’t afford any passengers.
Opposition View: Villarreal were perhaps underestimated by many leading up to this game, but they produced their best performance of the season and managed to raise their game against us. They were organised in defence, committed in midfield and utilised the movement of Giuseppe Rossi as the lone striker. It took us 94 minutes to finally claim the winner, but despite last night’s display, I still feel confident we can defeat them in Spain in the next game.
As for City, it was tough but we showed character and belief to score the winner in injury time. That’s normally the type of goal associated with our close neighbours and it wouldn’t be the worst way to defeat them if we could replicate it on Sunday. A 94th minute Mario Balotelli goal to win the game? Don’t bet against it.
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Ultimately, we were poor in the final third. Lolarov and Zaba put in some great crosses, which Dzeko didn’t have the movement to allow him to meet the ball. I also feel that Hart should have done far better with the initial shot on their goal, if he wants to be a world beater, he needs to get those shots away from danger.
As mentioned above, Mancini should play Yaya in advanced role. His strength and powerful runs keep any defender on their toe. I prefer Milner along side DeJong or Barry. His energy and work rate goes a long way in protecting the defense as well as linking up with attack.
Kolarov is a defender first and foremost. Barry and Lescott were stretched to cover for him as we were left open when you pushed forward on numerous occasions. Mancini realized this and I believe Clichy started to warm up half way through second half.
The comments, as usual, spot on.For whatever reason we were pityful, no tempo, no urgency or passion and lttle width. Against a team like Villarael we need to press high and play a more English game with wingers ( Milner right and Johnson left) and get crosses over as they couldn’t handle crosses. Stoke I’m sorry to say would have eaten them 4 -0. We really need more passion than patience on occasions.
We’ve gone behind first in every CL game so far which obviously will effect our performance, I think the players are still getting used to playing in the CL with each other, it will get easier with more time. My Derby Team Hart,
Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy
Y.toure, deJong, milner
Silva, balotelli, aguero
thatd be my exact team too
I think are being a little harsh on the performance last night. Whist it hardly vintage of the new era there were large spells of dominance and plenty of chances created. Also the resolve needed to eventually get the late goal (quite fergie timeish) should be commended.
Having said that i do wish that David Silva and Vincent Kompany were rested with Milner and Savic coming into the side respectively. I’m also glad that we have Richards and Balo to come in for the derby. I still remain very unconvinced by Aguero and live in hope for Tevez being on the bench on Sunday after Mancini’s post match words.