[LINEUP-4-4-2]Balotelli, Dzeko, Silva, YAYA, Barry, NDJ, Kolorav, Lescott, Kompany, Zabaleta, Hart[/LINEUP-4-4-2]
We really aren't very well prepared for the Champions League yet are we? Mancini has this idea that Zaba and Kolarov should play in the CL but all they did tonight was hinder us. Kolarov was especially awful and our defence was shambolic at times, especially when dealing with their fast counterattack. Silva played well though, even in defeat he still managed to shine. Aguero came on too late but I suspect he isn't 100%. The dilemma now is what to do against Munich? Do we go all out for the win knowing that the chances of Villarreal beating Napoli is about as possible as me landing a contract to play for City? Or do we focus entirely on the league and prepare to send our third string team into the Europa League?
you have to send out the best against Bayern, who can take that opportunity to rest their players because they already have the #1 spot secured. You never know if Vilarreal can scrape out a draw at least.
Mancini thought two physically strong strikers would break the back of the Napoli defense, he was gravely mistaken. Aguero has to play with either Dzeko or Balotelli against Bayern. Dzeko plays best when the players around him play well (as a team). Balotelli is more of a selfish player, and I don't mean that negatively, I just mean he does a lot more on his own (even though Dzeko can as well, that QPR goal for example). Playing both Kolarov and Zabaleta on the wingback positions at the same time was also a mistake. They need to play Clichy, and Richard or Zab for the Bayern match.
We should play Aguero as much as possible I think because he is our most talented striker overall. He plays quite well with Dzeko but at the same time Balotelli is also playing well so I'd look to rotate Dzeko and Balotelli more than Aguero. But I really don't think Aguero was 100% fit today (he was hobbling after the last game) or surely he would have played the whole match... he is our club record signing and even if he is not 100% adjusted yet has been lethal for us already. Dzeko has been disappointing in the Champions League but very good in the league. Mancini seems to be trying to put two teams together - one for the league and one for the CL - and Dzeko might be a victim of this in future if his performances in the CL don't improve. Nasri isn't featuring much in the CL either as Mancini seems to opt for Milner's higher workrate over Nasri's flair football and to be honest Milner has been perhaps our best player next to Silva and Micah lately. If I remember right, last year, the rags didn't play Nani much in the Champions League even as he was tearing it up in the PL as he presumably wasn't as effective against continental defences who often do seem a lot more organised than English backlines as we've found out. I'm still not following the line of thinking in having Zaba and Kolarov in these games though. Surely against a speedy counterattack you want fast full-backs like Micah and Clichy to deal with players like Lavezzi? Zaba is quite good defensively but lacks pace and doesn't offer much going forward. Kolarov blows hot and cold but even at his best has limited pace and is not great defensively, more of an attacking weapon (but he was wank today).
Game reminded me of the Everton(H) game last season, they were a tough nut to crack and we had our chances and didn't make the most of them. They had their chances and made got the goals they needed. As long as we are moving forward and win both cups, or the prem consider the season a success as well as making back into the Champions League.
Definitely not a criticism, but reading this, I just flashed back when City were perhaps thirty seconds away from another year trying to beat the likes of Wrexham and Luton Town.
I don't think we will go through because even if we win, it is a bit optimistic to expect the current Villarreal side to get anything out of Napoli. THAT SAID, I am going to enjoy tonight for what it is and am off to the game in half an hour. York away in the third tier to Bayern Munich at our ground puts everything into perspective, win, lose, or draw. It's sold out despite this ghastly weather. 3,000 Bayern fans are in Manchester and welcomed in a typical Mancunian way - howling winds, golf ball-sized hailstone, and freezing temperatures. But they should feel at home with the European markets, German included, in Manchester city centre and some outside the ground at City Square tonight. Come on City!
Well, they've got nothing to lose mate and are just playing for pride. Napoli, on the other hand, HAVE to win if your lads beat Bayern. Stranger things have happened...
Talk about mixed emotions. Any bets on our meeting the Rags some pair of Thursday nights in the Spring?
We did all we could. We beat the Champions League learning curve but a little too late. We're talking fractions here, Balotelli's scufffed shot going in against Napoli, etc. But what can you say, we were fantastic tonight and with 10pts are unfortunate not to go through. We will be much stronger next year and not have a group such as this I believe. And seeing how Stretford are joining us from a much, much easier group that we would have qualified from cheers me up.
With two very strong English sides going through the Europa it also holds out the possibility of joint English Europa AND CL winners as Spain have done in the past, IIRC.
All the grace I expect from a Gunner, so many of whom seem extremely bitter towards us this season. Just surprised we weren't treated to the run-of-the-mill "City are ... buying football/mercenaries/no team spirit/ruining the world/destroying the economy/cause of cancer/reason behind conflicts in Middle East/reason behind Wenger's incontinence/architects of global warming" stuff.
I hope City field "B" teams for the Europa League and focus on winning the league. Maybe I'm alone in this. But oh well.
Agreed. For some of the younger, "B" team players. But Mancini claims they are going all in. So it's a good thing I'm not the manager.
If you could win the Europa this year it will provide a useful boost to the club's presence and help attract better players. It's not ideal, obviously, but it's better than a poke in the eye
I'm thinking Academy + Tevez for the Europa... "You like the continent so much... here you go Carlos, every road match is yours so you an be home with your mistress in no time."... But seriously, I think it will provide an opportunity for some of the "B-team" to get a game in. Hargreaves, Zab, Savic et al would jump at the opportunity to play in these matches, i think. Plus it cant be that bad of a competition if Manchester United were able to qualify!