Have Manchester City finally learned how to succeed in Europe?

 

 

By David Lee Wheatley   @davewh1980

 

Manchester City looked dead and buried in Champions League Group E after four winless matches, but they somehow turned it around in spectacular fashion to make it through to the last 16 for a second successive season.

Manuel Pellegrini looked to have resigned himself to Manchester City’s European fate when his charges claimed a solitary point from a feisty double-header with CSKA Moscow.

A shock 2-1 loss to the Russian outfit on match-day four left City almost out of the competition and requiring wins against German giants Bayern Munich and Italians Roma to give themselves any chance of qualification.

Not many observers foresaw a turnaround - Pellegrini included. However, a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Bayern, orchestrated by Sergio Aguero, handed the Citizens an unexpected lifeline.

Yet, they needed to journey over to the Eternal City and grab all three points in order to avoid elimination. Furthermore, they had to complete the task without talismanic Aguero and respected captain Vincent Kompany through injury, plus midfield powerhouse Yaya Toure who was ruled out due to suspension.

Meanwhile, magical playmaker David Silva was also forced to warm the bench as he continued his recovery from a knee injury - the omens did not appear good.
Roma went for the jugular from the outset in a decidedly chilly Stadio Olimpico, but were denied time and again by the inspired Joe Hart in City’s goal.

Gervinho broke free on a number of occasions, with one low shot in particular tipped brilliantly round the post by Hart. Greek defender Kostas Manolas was also unfortunate to see a goalbound header diverted by the slightest of touches from the visiting ‘keeper onto the upright.

In the group’s other showdown, Bayern had taken an 18th-minute lead at home to contenders CSKA, who also began the evening level on points with Roma and Manchester City. The match had suddenly become a do-or-die play-off between the two teams going head-to-head at the Olimpico.

It took an hour of mainly withstanding Roma’s marauding breakaways until the away outfit gained a foothold in the game through a stunning shot from the left edge of the box by Samir Nasri that cannoned in off the inside of a post, thus leaving Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis grasping at thin air.

The hosts then sacrificed defensive duties almost entirely in a bid to claw their way back into the contest, but that policy eventually fell foul of a City counter which unlikely goalscorer Pablo Zabaleta finished off to gleefully wrap up his side’s advancement to the knockout phase.

Manchester City have largely struggled to repeat their domestic form of recent years on the European stage, but the professionalism which characterised Wednesday night’s performance suggests they may finally be getting to grips with what it takes to attain success in the continental arena.

 



The rejuvenation of Roma

By David Lee Wheatley

Everything appears to be going swimmingly for AS Roma, as they sit proudly atop the Serie A table under a bright coach alongside myriad new players who've quickly integrated and are performing out of their skins for the league leaders.

The Giallorossi hold the only 100% record in the division following seven straight wins, putting them two points clear of strong contenders Napoli and reigning champions Juventus at this early stage of proceedings. They further stamped their authority on top spot with a stunning 3-0 battering of fourth-placed Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza last time around and there appears no let-up in Roma's relentless march towards what would be a first Scudetto since 2001.

Former Lille coach Rudi Garcia arrived in the summer amid very little fanfare, but has since inspired a start to the campaign that very few observers saw coming.

One of the biggest surprises has been the form of ex-Arsenal misfit Gervinho, who looked completely devoid of confidence during an ill-fated spell in north London. Now all of a sudden, the Ivorian is a bone fide match-winner finally showing the capabilities Arsene Wenger always believed he possessed within him, but only now coming to fruition in the Eternal City under the wing of his former mentor Garcia.

Along with Gervinho's three strikes so far, the goals have been shared out healthily across the squad with captain and inspiration Totti, new man from Fiorentina Adem Ljajic and even defender Mehdi Benatia getting amongst the scoring free-for-all.

Out on top of the charts, though, is right winger Alessandro Florenzi with four, including the opener that set Roma on their way versus Inter. At 22, Florenzi is just beginning to make his mark in a team that have clicked markedly better than anyone expected and in spectacular fashion to boot.

Garcia's attack-minded side have brushed aside all before them and the Frenchman will be determined to push his charges on to even greater heights with a summit meeting against Napoli set for Friday evening at the Stadio Olimpico. Victory in that titanic clash would present further evidence of Roma's championship credentials against their arch-rivals, while putting some serious daylight between themselves and Rafa Benitez's pretenders to Juve's crown.

Roman icon Francesco Totti has an extremely exciting opportunity to lead his hometown team to a league title that he never thought possible. One step at a time, a first Scudetto for 13 years is drawing ever nearer for the Giallorossi in the most open Serie A battle of recent years.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Pep the player

By David Lee Wheatley

Pep Guardiola built his reputation in the coaching arena as ‘B’ team coach at Barcelona, before taking the reins to the senior side in 2008. Four glorious years later, the captain-turned-coach walked away due to the constant pressure he felt in charge of one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Guardiola jetted off with his family on a year-long sabbatical residing in Manhattan, New York City, while agreeing a return to the game around the turn of the year as Bayern Munich trainer; the contract between the parties began in June.

I take a look back at a playing career that laid the foundations for the success that was to follow for Guardiola the coach.

Replicating the path worn in facilitating his switch into team leadership, Josep Guardiola started out in the ‘B’ side of the Barcelona set-up as a first step into professional football after developing his skills throughout a youth career at the club’s famous La Masia academy from the age of 13. Following a year of mainly appearing for the ‘B’ team, he was elevated permanently to the first-team squad on the back of several impressive performances.

The defensive midfielder made a starting spot his own during the 1991-92 campaign when driving Barça on to the La Liga and European Cup double. Replacing experienced international Guillermo Amor in the centre of the park, the 20-year-old displayed style and poise way beyond his years and he was quickly recognised as a rising star.

Making an international debut in October 1992, Guardiola went on to appear 47 times for the Spanish national side. But for injuries, the elegant ball-playing midfield man would surely have achieved more caps for his country.

Meanwhile, back at club level, the starlet formed part of Johan Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ that retained the league championship in 1993 and 1994, but got smashed 4-0 in the Champions League final that year by a force of nature in the shape of a resurgent Milan.

The situation went sour under the Dutch legend, with fourth and third place finishes in 1995 and 1996 pushing Cruyff towards the exit door. Revered English manager Bobby Robson took over the role and led a Guardiola-inspired Barça to trophy wins in the Copa Del Rey and European Cup Winners’ Cup in their only season together.

Foreign interest in the services of club captain Guardiola began, with Serie A giants Roma aggressively pursuing the player. Barcelona were reluctant to let their ‘son’ leave and negotiated a new contract with the technically-gifted midfielder until 2001.

Unfortunately, a calf injury ruined the 1997-98 campaign, as Guardiola missed out on the opportunity to impress new boss Louis Van Gaal. He made just six La Liga appearances, as his team-mates cemented the domestic league and cup double without their captain in tow. An operation meant he was forced to miss the World Cup of 1998, which was a huge blow to a player that achieved everything for his club and desperately wanted the top international football prize to add to the collection.

Despite returning to action the following season, Pep developed a problem with his ankle leading to further surgery in an effort to correct the issue. It was a crying shame that his body was failing him at an age when he should have been enjoying the prime of his footballing career.

Nearing the end of his contract, it was announced that Guardiola would be leaving for pastures new. Surprisingly, he chose much smaller club Brescia with which to experience his first taste of club football outside of Spain. Evens so, the prospect of teaming up with Italian legend Roberto Baggio seemed a mouth-watering prospect.

A remarkable turn of events were set off by a positive drug test for the banned substance Nandrolone after a league game against Piacenza in October 2001. Guardiola pleaded his innocence; those that knew him attested to it. However, the much-loved Catalan hero got slapped with a four-month ban from the game; six years later he was cleared of any wrongdoing, but to further extend the agony the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) re-opened the case in 2009 before they found him not guilty once again.

Following such a damaging career downturn, he elected to continue his Italian adventure by joining long-time suitors Roma in the Italian capital. He played only four times before resuming his Brescia career with another thirteen games in the blue-and-white colours of the northern Italian team.

Lucrative spells followed in Qatar with Al-Ahli and Mexican Primera Division side Sinaloa, fuelling Pep’s passion for travel and new challenges abroad, before he called time on his career in 2006.

The rapid movement between three different countries at the tail-end of his playing career goes a long way towards explaining his decision to accept the head coach position at German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich; another culture, language and lifestyle for a man that actively seeks out such challenges.

Treble-winning Godfather of Bayern Jupp Heynckes will be a tough act to follow, but if there’s a man that can succeed in such circumstances it is Guardiola, the King of Catalonia.

Twitter: @davewh1980
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