Ranking and Grading the Manchester City Players on Champions League Performances
At the midway point of Group E in this season's Champions League, Manchester City find themselves with just two points from three matches after a bitterly disappointing 2-2 draw against CSKA Moscow.
Their chances of progression are now hanging in the balance, although Bayern Munich's thumping victory in Rome has given them hope. Regardless of other results, City are now likely to need three wins from their final three matches to stand a chance of taking their place in the last 16.
Here we rank the City players on their Champions League performances so far. The number of appearances combined with the player's impact in the games they have played were the only criteria used to grade the squad.
19. Stevan Jovetic
1 of 19
Two short cameos—against Roma and CSKA—aren't enough to judge City's livewire forward in any detail. He's a huge threat when fit, but some niggling injuries have once again derailed him, particularly in this competition.
18. Frank Lampard
2 of 19
Injury kept him out of City's draw against CSKA, and he didn't feature at all against Bayern. His only appearance so far was a 30-minute cameo against Roma.
He did well in that match, offering some control and vision to a midfield that badly needed it, but having only seen very limited action, his overall impact has been low.
17. Eliaquim Mangala
3 of 19
Eliaquim Mangala—City's big summer acquisition—has only made one appearance in the Champions League so far this season, a mixed display against CSKA. His pace is frightening, but his distribution in Russia let him down at times. It's clear, though, better showings lie in wait for the 23-year-old.
16. Yaya Toure
4 of 19
Yaya Toure is a unique midfielder and one of City's biggest stars, yet even he would have to admit his performances in this season's Champions League have been poor.
His showing in Munich was arguably his worst in a City shirt, and he wasn't much better in the subsequent matches. The quicker he gets back to his best, the better. City need his match-winning talents to be at their best.
He may have played all three games, but he's been dreadful in all of them.
15. Aleksandar Kolarov
5 of 19
Aleksandar Kolarov barely featured in City's first two games, but he started in Moscow to offer Clichy a rest after his weekend exertions.
In the first half against CSKA, he got forward brilliantly as City controlled proceedings, but his performance, like those of his teammates, suffered badly after the break.
14. Samir Nasri
6 of 19
Samir Nasri has only appeared in one match during City's group campaign so far—the 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich.
His creativity is his defining attribute, but he spent much of the time in the Allianz chasing down Bayern players in an attempt to win back possession.
Groin surgery has kept him out of City's other matches and he's been missed.
13. Bacary Sagna
7 of 19
Only played one game—the defeat in Munich—but he was excellent, linking up with Navas superbly well and proving sound defensively.
His status as Zabaleta's understudy means he is unlikely to feature too often in the remaining group matches, but City finally have themselves a capable replacement for their enigmatic Argentine.
12. Gael Clichy
8 of 19
Rested against Moscow after playing in the win over Spurs, he started City's first two group games.
He acquitted himself fairly well in both, neither excellent nor disappointing, but he's a shadow of the player who impressed so much during Roberto Mancini's final season in charge.
11. Fernando
9 of 19
Injury saw Fernando miss the first two group games, and a superb first-half display in Moscow suggests City have missed their summer signing on the European scene.
His ability to make tackles is unrivalled in this City squad, and he will be hoping to have much more of an impact in the second half of this group stage.
10. Martin Demichelis
10 of 19
Formed a solid partnership with Kompany in Munich and defended brilliantly, and was unlucky, ultimately, to end up on the losing side. He was, though, made to look somewhat short of pace against Roma on Matchday 2.
He was left out against Moscow after starting against Spurs three days earlier. A mixed campaign thus far for City's cult hero.
9. Jesus Navas
11 of 19
Started against Bayern and did well, despite City never really having a sustained period of possession. He was an outlet, though, and his pace was clearly a threat the Bayern players were aware of.
He struggled to impact the game against Roma to any great degree, but should have been awarded a penalty, and he made just a short cameo against Moscow but failed to offer anything.
8. Fernandinho
12 of 19
Was superb against Bayern after being left exposed by his absent midfield partner Toure, but with City outnumbered in midfield against Roma, who were technically superb and outpassed the Blues, he struggled to make an impact.
He came on for the last half hour in Moscow in an attempt to shore things up but he disappointed.
7. Edin Dzeko
13 of 19
Did well in Munich, leading the line well and linking up with City midfielders, however, against Roma he disappointed, failing to ever really give the Italian defence enough problems.
His unselfishness in setting up Sergio Aguero for City's opener in Moscow was great to see, but his passing and link-up play was poor thereafter.
6. Vincent Kompany
14 of 19
An excellent showing against Bayern was followed up by a disappointing display at home to Roma. He was solid against Moscow, for the most part, but was caught napping for their first.
Kompany brings more than just exceptional defending. He's the leader of the side and is always on the front foot, showing urgency and a desire to win. His proactive style of defending leads to errors, but it's unlikely City would swap him for any other defender.
5. Pablo Zabaleta
15 of 19
Suspended for the opening match with Bayern, but has played the full 90 in both games since.
Played well against Roma, despite City squandering the initiative after going a goal up, but he excelled in Moscow and was one of the Blues' best players. He was a constant outlet down the right and provided a lovely assist for the second.
He's an outstanding player and City will need him at his very best for the final three group games.
4. James Milner
16 of 19
Came on as a sub against Munich and offered extra protection down the left, and again against Roma his introduction improved City. The feeling after Matchday 2 was Milner needed to be involved more.
And Manuel Pellegrini appears to have got the message. Milner started against CSKA and scored a goal. He will be disappointed not to have added another when he hit the post from close range, but, overall, given the chances he's had, he's impressed.
3. David Silva
17 of 19
City's best attacking player against Bayern, David Silva's displays in the two subsequent matches have been a little below his usual level.
In the Premier League, he's a constant hub of creativity, the player most likely to unlock the opposition defence. He's been quieter in Europe—much like his teammates—but he's still surpassed most others in the squad.
2. Joe Hart
18 of 19
An outstanding display in the opening match against Bayern saw Joe Hart receive the plaudits. He made a series of excellent stops and left Munich having put in one of his best performances in recent seasons.
And again against Roma on Matchday 2 he produced another string of vital stops to secure a point for City. He could do nothing with either of Moscow's goals and he can consider his campaign so far a decent one.
He is often criticised for his lack of assertiveness when dealing with balls into the box, but, credit where it's due, he's been one of City's best players in Europe this season.
1. Sergio Aguero
19 of 19
Doubts over his fitness meant Aguero started the game against Bayern on the bench, but City's star man was very nearly the hero late on.
Won and scored the penalty in a frantic start against Roma, but he faded somewhat after that, before scoring City's opener in Moscow.
He appears, for now, at least, to be back to full fitness. City will need that to continue if they are to get the results they need in their remaining Group E fixtures.
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