Manchester City Make Crucial Progress in Champions League

After two failed attempts to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase, Manchester City could ill-afford a third. A 5-2 win over CSKA Moscow confirmed City’s progression to the last 16 for the very first time, and their fans can now look forward to a potentially mouthwatering tie in the next round.

Manuel Pellegrini has achieved his first European target with two group games to spare, meaning the pressure of the last two matches—at home to Plzen and away to Bayern Munich—has been lifted somewhat. The Chilean now has the option to rotate his side and rest his best players during a busy Premier League period. It’s an ideal scenario for the City boss.

City's group may have been far easier than their previous two, but they won’t care a bit. The pressure to get through after two difficult campaigns was immense given their financial outlay in recent seasons, and they’ve done it in comfortable circumstances.

There’s still a chance City can top the group and give themselves a better chance of avoiding one of the big teams in the last 16, but that seems unlikely given Bayern Munich’s brilliance. If the Germans win in Moscow on Matchday 5, they’re almost certain to top the group.

Much like the Norwich game at the weekend, some of the football played against CSKA was outstanding. Alvaro Negredo scored a hat-trick, and Sergio Aguero grabbed two, as City again played with freedom and beauty. Between them they’ve scored nine goals in qualification. It's a devastating partnership that is giving City a real cutting edge going forward.

Aguero, in his best form since signing for City, is almost unplayable at the moment. His turn and finish for his and City’s second was exquisite, and his pace caused CSKA problems all night. He is now the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in European competition with 12 and, at just 25, he could well go on to establish himself as one of the great European players of recent years.

The supporting cast are also very much in form. Samir Nasri has rediscovered the artistry that deserted him last season, making his critics (and there were many) eat their words. His resurgence has been incredible—defensively disciplined and full of ideas going forward, his place in City’s best XI is once again secure.

The midfield pairing of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho is the platform on which City’s attacking players are thriving. As this tweet from Squawka shows, Toure was as close to perfection as you’re likely to get against CSKA, rarely misplacing a pass and winning 100 percent of his tackles.

"

Yaya Toure completed 96% of his passes (95/99) and won 100% of his tackles for Man City tonight. Excellent display.

— Squawka Football  (@Squawka) November 5, 2013"

This was City’s second home match in four days. Twelve goals later and they’ve won both comfortably. They travel to Sunderland away on Sunday before three home matches on the spin. It’s a period in which this in-form City side can build some real momentum.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2013-14 season. Follow him on Twitter here: @TypicalCity.