We Are Not Really Ready

I will be the first to admit that I wanted City to break out of the group in the Champions League.  We proved we are nearly there, but relying on a Villarreal side that is currently not playing well was not going to do it.  A huge 2-0 win at home against mighty Bayern München showed we can win at home, but winning on the road against a club like Bayern is where we need to retool.

Roberto Mancini has done well with this club so far, and I am sure some changes are going to happen for next years attempt at the Champions League.  The first thing the club needs to do is focus on winning the Premier League to stamp out any doubters that Manchester City FC is a contender.  I have no doubt in my mind that we will not only take the league, but the FA Cup and The Carling Cup as well.  I think we could also easily find ourselves with hardware from the Europa League as well.

I love to take a good crack at the rags, but they should be quite embarrassed they were knocked out by clubs they should have easily beaten, whereas City had two opponents in Napoli and Bayern Munchen that kept us from moving forward.  Napoli just ran us to death and even though we split with Bayern, they pounded us in the rear in Münich.

Focus is the key to the goals we have in the coming months and Europa League action will give the youngsters some key experience as well as let Kolo Toure play.  If you watch European action at all on a regular basis you will see why clubs such as Barcelona continue to do well at the top.  The pace, the sublime passing skills and the team play is just like a machine.  Pep Guardiola is quoted as saying to Lionel Messi  a few years ago  “I don’t want you to be so individual, stop trying to be Leo Messi, keep passing… pass, pass, pass. It’s about moving the ball through the team, not about one individual.”

I am sure while many thought City were passing well, they still need some practice. So in retrospect City have learned an invaluable lesson that will carry the club Onward and Upwards.