Manchester City vs. Roma: Lessons Learned from Champions League Game
On another disappointing Champions League night for Manchester City, the hosts could only draw 1-1 at home to Italian giants Roma to leave them off the pace in Group E.
Things started so well for City when Sergio Aguero’s penalty put them in front early on, but the enduring class of Francesco Totti soon had an impact on the game, with the veteran skipper scoring his first-ever goal in England and becoming the Champions League’s oldest scorer in the process.
City couldn’t really get going in the second half against a strong opponent, who more than deserved the point they picked up.
Here are some lessons we learned from the game...
Francesco Totti Still Has It
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It isn’t unique to see ageing legends of the game still plying their trades at the very top level, but there is something about seeing one do it with such style and grace.
That was Francesco Totti against Man City, as the Italian star floated through the game and looked to make his team tick at every possible opportunity.
One piece of skill and a through ball for Gervinho in the first half really did roll back the years, and the manner in which he ran on to Radja Nainggolan’s pass and produced a deft finish was so reminiscent of his past.
He was simply terrific.
Yaya Toure Still Can't Find It
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The formation that Manuel Pellegrini played in the first half—with David Silva and Jesus Navas pushed so far forward—required his midfield two to work hard behind them all night. Unfortunately, this was another below-par display from Yaya Toure.
None of the Ivorian’s trademark power and pace was evident, which has worryingly been the case for virtually all of City’s games so far this season.
Pellegrini reinforced the midfield by bringing on James Milner at half-time and later Frank Lampard. Although he didn’t take Toure off, he must have felt like doing so at times.
Ashley Cole Has Settled In Well at Roma
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For many British football fans, this would have been a first look at Ashley Cole in a Roma shirt. Although it still looks a strange sight—at one point he challenged Lampard and weird clashed with weird—this was still the typically solid and efficient Cole that they had grown used to.
He showcased his natural abilities to get forward on more than one occasion, too, adding to Roma’s attacks and then getting back to put in a shift at the other end. Cole nullified the threat of Jesus Navas so much that the Spaniard went off at half-time.
Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail noted:
"Cole certainly contributed. Always a defender who could have made a career as a left-sided midfield player, he remains technically proficient and bright. Towards the end of the first half he was a toe-end away from what would have been a memorable goal as he arrived a fraction too late to meet a low cross.
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There were few better free transfers around in the summer, and Cole looks to be enjoying his football again.
The Officials Behind the Goal Still Do Nothing
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How did the official behind the goal not spot that Roma’s Kostas Manolas handled a Jesus Navas cross?
City should have had a second penalty at that moment, but the referee and his assistants severely let them down. If you’re going to have officials back there, why aren’t they spotting incidents such as this one?
Roma Are a Real Threat in This Tournament
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After Bayern Munich achieved a second successive 1-0 win, it is tempting to think that they will run away with this group. However, they’ll face a hugely difficult game in Rome next up where a victory is far from assured.
Some of Roma’s passing and probing was a joy to watch at times at the Etihad, whilst in the express pace of Gervinho, they have a real livewire who will cause problems to most defences.
They are a huge threat in this most difficult of groups, and they’ll certainly run Bayern close in three weeks.
Manchester City Are Facing the Same Old Heartbreak
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City now have to win back-to-back games against CSKA Moscow to stand a chance in this group; that is simply a given.
But even if they do, they could still face another heartbreaking group-stage elimination.
This result now means that they are pretty likely to need something from their final match of the group at Roma. Given their record in this competition, that doesn’t really bode well.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini was quoted by Jamie Jackson of The Guardian as saying: "We have just one point from six but also we are just three points behind Roma."
He added: "We hope the next game in Russia we can win. We will see what happens against Bayern Munich. We have 12 more points to fight [for] and we will fight to the end to try to qualify."
