Anfield offers a real test for City’s title credentials on Sunday. Following the defeat at Napoli there needs to be a positive response from the players against opponents who will be buoyed by last week’s defeat of Chelsea.
Anfield was also the scene of Roberto Mancini’s last poor performance on English soil with the 3-0 defeat that raised doubts about our ability to finish in the top four. All that now seems a long time ago yet the manager is unlikely to have forgotten the bruising encounter.
City crashed to defeat in Naples courtesy of two Edinson Cavani goals to only one from Mario Balotelli. With our hopes of qualifying now reliant on a favour from Villarreal this is likely to prove a costly result.
Roberto Mancini’s side were always unlikely to win the Champions League but getting beyond the group stages would have been good for building the brand, and for the money with Financial Fair Play in mind.
Hart – Might have done better trying to stop Cavani’s second with his foot rather than hand. Pulled off a couple of excellent saves in the second half to keep us in the contest. 6
Kolarov – Fears over his lack of pace proved fully justified. Not quick enough to cause problems in attack nor to relieve them in defence. 5
City take on Napoli in what feels like a play-off to progress from the Champions League group stages. Roberto Mancini knows Naples well and the team ought to be well prepared for a difficult game.
There has been much talk of the intimidating atmosphere, Napoli’s home record in European competition and, of course, the attacking trio of Cavani, Lavezzi and Hamsik. Yet City are full of confidence having won their last nine fixtures, while Napoli have won only two of their last eight in Serie A.
City eased to a record breaking eleventh win in twelve league games courtesy of two penalties either side of a Micah Richards strike. As expected, Newcastle proved to be well organised and dangerous on the counter, yet City were once again worthy winners.
Vincent Kompany returned to the defence and aside from one careless loss of possession the captain organised the team well. Joleon Lescott, buoyed by his excellent England performance, continued to step out and break up play whenever possible.
Hart – An excellent low save from Demba Ba when the game was goalless made this a more comfortable afternoon than it might have been. 7
Richards – Great flicked finish for the second goal and won the second penalty with a typically powerful run. 61% of his passes were completed in the opposition half, illustrating how Mancini encourages Micah to attack. 8
City came through what proved to be one of their toughest tests so far courtesy of goals from Dzeko, Silva and Yaya Toure. This was a performance lacking the usual cohesion as several players appeared to suffer a Champions League hangover.
It should be remembered that Roberto Mancini changed six of the starters from Wednesday to keep the side fresh. For some reason it didn’t work as our passing was noticeably less sharp.
Hart – Pulled off a great double save regardless of a linesman’s flag and spectacularly diverted a Joey Barton drive around the post. No chance with the goals and had to rely on the woodwork in one of his busier afternoons. 7
Richards – Enjoyed the tussle with Wright-Phillips but his passing was below usual standards. Could have done with more help when Traore overlapped. 6
Roberto Mancini will look to follow up Wednesday’s away victory with another against QPR. The manager has promised to rotate the team after the midweek fixture and it will be interesting to see who comes in.
One player definitely out is the suspended Vincent Kompany and either Stefan Savic or Kolo Toure should partner Joleon Lescott. It will be a real vote of confidence in 20-year-old Savic if he is selected to start his second game in four days.
City’s first ever away victory in Europe’s premier club competition could hardly have been more comfortable thanks to a clinical pair of Yaya Toure strikes sandwiching a Mario Balotelli penalty. Injuries and Aguero’s last minute winner in the previous round had clearly taken their toll on Villarreal.
Roberto Mancini sprung a surprise in selecting Stefan Savic ahead of Joleon Lescott. Maybe the manager didn’t want to risk Joleon ahead of the game against QPR when Kompany is suspended. With Villarreal impotent in attack Savic was able to demonstrate his excellent composure on the ball – you have to remind yourself he’s still only 20.
