Manchester City: 5 Things We Learned from the Dynamo Dresden Draw

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Manchester City continued their preseason friendlies today in a game against German side Dynamo Dresden, in Dresden.  

Roberto Mancini fielded a mixed group of veteran and youth players, looking to seek fitness and provide an opportunity for a young City player to make a name for himself.  

Lineups were as follows:

Pantilimon (Johansen 74mins)

Zabaleta (Elabdellaoui 74), Kolo Toure (Boyata 86), Savic (Mancini 86), Kompany (Rekik 68)

Biton (Evans 86), Yaya Toure (Razak 70), Lopes (Weiss 62), Kolarov (Helan 74)

Tevez (Scapuzzi 74) and Aguero (Jelavic 46, Bunn 86)

The result was a bore draw, in which City controlled possession, but didn't seek to do much of anything with it.  

There were few chances from each side, and this match looked like nothing more than a runabout.  

Tevez Seems Dedicated to City

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Despite a very rough 2011/2012 season and recent rumors of Manchester City and A.C. Milan being close to a deal for this troubled striker, Carlos Tevez looks set to prove himself once again at City.

In a very dull match, Tevez showed spark and came close with a shot from the top of the 18-yard box.  

For an early runabout, Tevez showed his drive and desire and looks set to stay at City and prove his way back into first team play. 

Weiss Has a Chance to Prove Himself

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Vladimir Weiss is without a doubt one of Manchester City's most highly touted prospects. That being said, Weiss has a long list of proven names to battle through in order to make this squad.  

This 22-year-old winger has spent the last three seasons out on loan. Weiss is reaching the age now where he will either fit into the plans of Mancini or likely seek an exit.  

Expect to see a lot of Weiss throughout this offseason. This may be his last chance to prove his worth at City.

Yaya Toure Is Still a Boss in Mid

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In a game that was extremely dull and against an inferior opponent, Yaya Toure was without question the most visible presence on the pitch. Not only for his sheer size and power on the ball, but he simply outclassed his opposition.

Yaya looked like he enjoyed this fixture. He was eager to call for balls and was running at opponents. Yaya is arguably Manchester City's most important piece to success and it is great to see Yaya having fun in Manchester and flaunting his skill.

City fans will be expecting a big year out of this big Ivorian.  

City Have a Glut of Youth That May Never See First Team Action

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Among the names of the youth players who had an opportunity to show their skill today, one has to feel somewhat bad. Despite the quality in youth that does exist with players like Savic, Razak and Weiss, one has to wonder if they will ever find first team football.

Over the past few seasons, City has done nothing but buy talent. While they haven't harassed the transfer market yet this window, it is hard to imagine any of these youth players factoring into the 25-man roster.  

To be put plainly, it is a bleak reality for most of these young Blues that they will not be contending for a title at least this season.  

The Season Is a Long Ways Away

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In reality not much of anything should be taken from today's contest. It was a match to spread the fanbase of the new English Champions and promote match fitness and give the opportunity for a young Citizen to prove his worth.

The season is a long ways away, but the efforts from matches like this today go a long way in deciding form to start the season.