Manchester City: Will City Translate Dominant League Form Over to Europe?

What an unbelievable weekend it was for Manchester City.

It has to be said that the result at Old Trafford on Sunday was quite simply incredible, and it was a result City fans were probably due having lived in the shadows for a number of decades.

This win is a result that follows a long streak of victories in the English Premier League as the Citizens sit atop the table, ripping teams apart left, right and centre.

Unfortunately, this has not been the case in Europe so far. A home draw to Napoli wasn't the best start, a headline loss to Bayern Munich rubbed salt in the wounds and the Blues were close to being dead and buried before Sergio Aguero rescued them against Villarreal.

Can Manchester City use this 6-1 victory over their arch rivals as a spring board to success in Europe?

Please, enjoy the slideshow!

Villarreal (A)

Manchester City just about escaped their last encounter with The Yellow Submarine, snatching three points in the dying seconds.

It made it two out of two home games that Manchester City had spectacularly failed to dominate despite their rampant league form.

The next UEFA Champions League game is Villarreal away which will prove to be a tough encounter, but one Manchester City can feasibly win with relative ease.

If the Citizens can take an early lead in this one, it'll be a mauling.

Napoli (A)

Providing Manchester City come away from Spain with three points against Villarreal, their date in Naples will decide the order of the group.

It's going to be a horrendous match for City fans to watch as Napoli are a brutal attacking force be it home or away. The thought of Edinson Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi will give Joe Hart & co. nightmares leading up to the game.

That said, providing Manchester City play the right balance between attack and defence, there's no reason why they can't come away from Naples with a result. They simply cannot lose though, as doing so will likely result in them dropping down to the UEFA Europa League.

Bayern Munich (H)

If one thing is certain, this game will not be anywhere near as mismatched as the one that took place in Munich.

Bayern Munich are simply incredible at home. The term 'fortress' is overused but the Allianz-Arena really is one. 

Unfortunately for Die Bayern, The Etihad is kind of a fortress too. I bet in favour of Manchester City at home no matter who the opponent is. The goal scoring potential in City's front line is amongst the best in the world.

Yes, They Can!

If Manchester City perform anywhere near how they have been in the league throughout October, they are very capable of becoming a dominant force in Europe too.

Squad depth is a problem most teams face when fighting on multiple fronts. Not for Manchester City though, as they have two excellent players in each positions, perhaps more in fact for some.

The momentum a team picks up off smashing your fierce rivals on their own patch must be incredible. There were concerns that the rich stars Manchester City were attracting wouldn't understand the rivalry in the city but the players certainly do.

Credit to the fans for connecting so well with them for that. Manchester City must believe they can beat anyone right now.

No, They Can't!

Despite the league success, the rival thrashing hype and the apparent winnable fixture list, there are still some concerns Manchester City fans will harbour.

Unlike in the league, Manchester City appear to play with nerves whilst on their own soil in the UEFA Champions League. They are seasoned pros and some of the playing staff have won World Cups and Champions Leagues. It's strange to think they could be nervous but that is the reality.

Roberto Mancini hasn't exactly proven himself in Europe either. Three consecutive Scudettos with Internazionale show his league prowess is well established and well rehearsed, but during his tenure the Nerazzurri made no tracks on the European front.

Conclusion

Concerns over Roberto Mancini's performances in Europe, in my opinion, should be allayed.

Manchester City look unstoppable at the moment and it seems their greatest weapon has been rejuvenated from the most unlikely of sources — Mario Balotelli.

The sheer quality and depth of Manchester City's squad will see them through a tough period in which most other teams would fall short of the mark.

If City beat Napoli in Naples on the 22nd of November, it could be one of the biggest and most commanding results they achieve this season.

Manchester City will translate their dominant domestic form onto the European stage and give their fans a season to remember. 

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Also, please consider reading: MCFC: 5 Targets for October