Manchester City Make Statement in Seville, but Bigger European Tests Lie Ahead

Manchester City have been widely criticised for the way they have performed in the UEFA Champions League since entering the competition in 2011, but their 3-1 win over Sevilla on Tuesday, which secured qualification with two games to spare, deserves huge credit.

When City were drawn alongside the double UEFA Europa League winners, as well as Juventus and Borussia Monchengladbach, many saw their task to qualify as the most difficult of any Premier League side.

Now, only City and Real Madrid are through to the knockout phase at this early juncture.

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Safe journey home to all City fans! Amazing support tonight as usual! #cityontour #sfcvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/UHsc7LfKgC

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 3, 2015"

And their passage was secured in style. Manuel Pellegrini is often derided for a perceived lack of tactical flexibility, but with Fernando, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure all selected in a 4-3-3 formation, City completely outplayed Sevilla in what was one of the most impressive European away performances from an English club in a long time.

It was a statement from a team who have often looked inhibited in this competition—a standard-setting performance they must now use to convince themselves they belong alongside the best teams in Europe. Sevilla were dominated from start to finish. 

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All the numbers that matter from a brilliant performance from the lads! #sfcvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/vrWMm9YEwM

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 3, 2015"

However, bigger tests lie in wait. City, a club with ambitions of winning the Champions League in the coming seasons, must make it beyond the last 16 to confirm their improvement. Topping the group feels essential if City want to avoid a big name in the next round, and with just a one-point lead over Juventus—who sit second after a draw in Gladbach—that is far from certain.

But for now, they must enjoy what was their finest-ever Champions League performance.

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Here's how Group D looks after tonight's games... Get in! #ucl #sfcvcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/DZdZ93IKnE

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) November 3, 2015"

Central to it all was Fernandinho, City’s best player so far this season and a man whose stamina defies belief. He was released into a more advanced position last night because of Fernando’s shielding of the back four and played a David Silva-esque pass for Raheem Sterling’s opener and headed in the second. He was sensational throughout. 

He brings drive and energy to the City side, a force of nature raising the games of those around him. This was vintage stuff—his best display in a City shirt and further evidence that the £30 million City spent to bring him from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 was money well spent.

Ian Walton/Getty Images

He wasn’t alone. Sterling gave his best display since arriving in the summer. The Sevilla defenders simply couldn’t cope with his pace and skill. His goal was beautifully taken, and he stretched Unai Emery’s side throughout.

Yaya Toure showed once again that, even at 32, he remains a player capable of having a huge influence on this side. He’s often said to be a liability, particularly in Europe, but he was superb here. Along with Vincent Kompany, Toure provided the kind of leadership a side with ambitions of impacting the latter stages desperately needs. 

It was also a night in which some of City's most maligned players showed once again that criticism of them has been unfair or premature.

Jesus Navas continues to ram criticism down the throats of those who have castigated him, providing width, pace and an excellent assist for Wilfried Bony's goal, as well as defensive diligence and constant running power. This was his moment, back at his old club, and he shone for 90 minutes. 

And Fernando—who was written off in some quarters after one poor season derailed by a groin injury—continued his renaissance with another stellar display sat just in front of the back four, adding a layer of protection City have rarely had in European games.

The solidity he provided was vital in allowing Pellegrini’s more creative players to excel. The decision to use Fernando proved a masterstroke, and it will surely now be a staple selection for future Champions League matches.

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#MCFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/jBDSgPWj6S

— Fernando Oficial (@Fernando_Reges) November 3, 2015"

“I am very happy because I think we played a very complete game in all senses—physically and tactically we had good possession of the ball,” said Pellegrini afterwards. 

“We scored three goals and I think we missed at least four or five clear chances to score.

“So, I am very happy because I was not happy in the way we were playing, so we need a change. Today we changed the system and for that we played a very good game.”

Pellegrini believes his shift in system, which saw Fernandinho and Toure freed up and able to play higher up the field, worked. 

Bleacher Report: Formation Builder

“I allowed Fernandinho and Yaya to go forward so they started more in the Sevilla half," he said. 

“Fernandinho is very dangerous because he has a lot of pace and he arrives in the other box.

“It was one of the reasons we dominated in midfield because we had Fernandinho and Yaya both going forward and just Fernando staying back. He and Sterling had a very good performance as did all the players."

With Silva and Sergio Aguero, their two best and most influential players, set to be added to this team when they return to fitness, Pellegrini has a side capable of going further than City ever have in Europe's elite knockout competition. 

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2015/16 season. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @RobPollard_.