bakerdave76
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 12 Feb 2009
- Messages
- 4,728
Astley Lad said:
City vs Roma Post Match Thread
- Thread starter Damocles
- Start date
Not sure what's happening with the seeding. There was talk of Champions getting an automatic top seeding.LoveCity said:
I was hoping at the start of the season that we'd earn a top seeding after this position, but with the way it was progressing in Europe I hadn't bothered to look.
Hamann Pineapple
Well-Known Member
Superb from Henry Winter
Zubrman
Well-Known Member
THIS is how it feels to be City!......
ForzaMancini
Well-Known Member
LoveCity said:
I think so. I remember an article seemed to mention that even clinching 3rd place and playing a couple of Europa League games would have meant we'd have retained our 2nd seed status so I'm pretty sure we should be ok now.
Prestwich_Blue
Well-Known Member
It should guarantee our Pot 2 status for next season but we'll be in Pot 1 when we win the league again!LoveCity said:
We're currently up to 14th in the team rankings. The rags are 10th and could well be in Pot 2 with us (assuming they qualify for next season's competition).
kippaxblue76
Well-Known Member
Good read from Winter.
Roma 0 Manchester City 2, match report: Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta send City into Champions League last 16
AS Roma vs Manchester City FC, Champions League – Second-half goals from Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta sends club through to last 16 for the first time in their history
By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent, in Rome
11:39PM GMT 10 Dec 2014
Manchester City and their fans will never, ever forget their night in the Eternal City. They will always recall the evening when hope sprang eternal, when the champions of England displayed style and resilience, powering into the last 16 of the Champions League with goals from Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabeleta.
"Champions League?" chorused 1,500 ecstatic visitors at the final whistle. "We’re having a laugh." They’re smiling now. Bottom of Group E at kick-off, City ended the night runners-up to Bayern Munich with Roma demoted to the Europa League and CSKA Moscow out in the cold. Even if they are drawn against Real Madrid or Barcelona on Monday, City will remember this night, this occasion when their players fought for the shirt, fought to stay amongst the European elite.
Roma had won five of their last seven home games against English teams. They had Gervinho in form. They had 50,000 fans screaming support, lighting flares and waving flags. And City dealt with all this calmly, determinedly, professionally.
Even when they face dark times in games in the future, City can reflect on events in Stadio Olimpico. They can take inspiration from the memory of Joe Hart’s impersonation of a human wall in the visitors’ goal.
Echoing David Seaman’s performance for England here in qualifying for France 98, Hart was magnificent, making vital saves from Jose Holebas, Gervinho, Maicon and Kostas Manolas. If Hart himself goes through a dip in form in the future, or finds people questioning him, he can rewind in his mind images of how he stood tall in Rome, a lion defying the gladiators
City proved they have a strong dressing room, a squad who can handle the absence of celebrated team-mates. They prevailed here without Yaya Touré, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero and with David Silva starting on the bench. When next staring at adversity, City can hark back to the time when Nasri was pulling the strings in the hole behind Edin Dzeko, scoring a sublime first on the hour. They can reminisce about Zabaleta’s will to win, his strength of lungs as well as heart as he stormed into the box with four minutes remaining to take Nasri’s pass, finish off Roma, confirm City’s place in the last 16 and send the fans into dreamland.
Strong performances could be seen all over. Martin Demichelis delivered a display of endless concentration and timing in the tackle. Gaël Clichy impressed. Eliaquim Mangala muscled Francesco Totti into the shadows. Jesus Navas was a pacey outlet down the right, causing Holebas a sustained headache. Mr Dependable, James Milner, became Mr Dynamic on the left. Fernandinho and Fernando broke up more Roman attacks than Asterix and Obelix.
All of those representing City deserve praise and particularly the coach, Manuel Pellegrini. His tactics were right, a 4-2-3-1 system that had balance, pace and belief. The Chilean got the mood right, filling his players with confidence that they could win this. He also got his substitutions right, setting Roma further challenges with his clever introduction of Silva and Stevan Jovetic. Here was a manager keeping his foot on the accelerator, not slowing up or shutting up shop. Pellegrini’s only defensive switch was sending on Aleksandar Kolarov for Nasri late on, seeing out the game.
Pellegrini has had to deal with plenty of questions about his management, precipitously given that he has won two trophies this year, but when the doubts are raised again in the future, he can quietly mention one night in the Eternal City. His team played attractive football away from home in tense circumstances. Yet all this understandable eulogising of City needs some perspective. Such a wealthy club should be qualifying for the knockout stages. A squad of such calibre should be reaching the last 16 – and beyond.
Digging deep in Rome is always a fruitful occupation and City certainly did so. Hart was captaining the side in the absence of Kompany and Touré. His promotion by Pellegrini was another reminder of how highly regarded Hart is at City and how imminent his new contract announcement must be.
Showing his importance, Hart dropped down smartly to take the sting out of a Holebas shot early on. News began filtering through that Thomas Muller had put the already qualified Bayern ahead from the penalty spot against CSKA Moscow. As it stood, City were heading into the Europa League with Roma going into the last 16 of the Champions League because of the head-to-head away-goals maths.
City were not thinking of the changing equations, simply doing all they could to break down the Roman ramparts. Milner, relishing the occasion, opened up some space and shot from left to right, bringing a good save from Morgan De Sanctis after 19 minutes.
Back came Roma in a wonderfully open half. Hart reacted well, pushing a Gervinho shot wide and then clutching a Totti corner at the second attempt. Back came City in a see-saw half. Dzeko fired over and then headed over. Back came Roma again, Maicon’s 25-yarder caught by Hart after 35 minutes. Gervinho then outstripped Clichy but placed his shot straight at the City keeper.
Pellegrini’s side continued to counter-attack strongly. Navas teased the ball behind Roma’s defence for Milner, whose shot was smothered by De Sanctis.
The attention was dragged from end to end like a frenetic tennis match. Gervinho’s dribbling skills were causing the English champions plenty of problems. He wriggled his way through in the 40th minute and fell under a challenge from Demichelis. The Serbian referee, Milorad Mazic, rightly ruled the Argentinian had got the ball.
And then cometh the hour, cometh the Frenchman. Nasri collected the ball from Clichy and benefited from Roma standing off. Nasri totally caught De Sanctis out with a sumptuous strike, the ball clipping the post and flying into the net. Nasri has been talking recently of the need for the players to deliver, to justify their reputations. He certainly did here.
As the scores now stood, City were through, following Bayern into the last 16. Roma increased their efforts. Adem Ljajic shot over, was then taken off, and threw down a water bottle in frustration. From a Miralem Pjanic ball, Kostas Manolas sent a powerful header goalwards but Hart managed to stretch out a hand and tip it on to the post.
Pellegrini’s first two substitutes were hardly made with shutting up shop in mind. Silva came on for Navas. Jovetic ran on for Dzeko. His attacking outlook paid dividends. With four minutes remaining, the outstanding Nasri calmly rolled the ball left to Zabaleta to beat De Sanctis.
Only then, and with news of Bayern going further clear through Sebastian Rode, did Pellegrini drop the portcullis. Off came Nasri for Kolarov. As Nasri walked slowly to the dug-out, the jubilant City fans sang his praises. He heard them, looked up and clapped them, showing appreciation for their support. Pellegrini shook Nasri’s hand warmly. A further bulletin arrived from the Allianz: Mario Gotze had made it 3-0 against CSKA Moscow. City were through â "with points to spare.
Another signal of hope for the future, more long-term hope, was Patrick Vieira’s EDS team winning 4-0 here earlier in the day, continuing their romp through the group. Pellegrini’s side made harder work but they are through. Roll on Monday’s draw.
Roma 0 Manchester City 2, match report: Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta send City into Champions League last 16
AS Roma vs Manchester City FC, Champions League – Second-half goals from Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta sends club through to last 16 for the first time in their history
By Henry Winter, Football Correspondent, in Rome
11:39PM GMT 10 Dec 2014
Manchester City and their fans will never, ever forget their night in the Eternal City. They will always recall the evening when hope sprang eternal, when the champions of England displayed style and resilience, powering into the last 16 of the Champions League with goals from Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabeleta.
"Champions League?" chorused 1,500 ecstatic visitors at the final whistle. "We’re having a laugh." They’re smiling now. Bottom of Group E at kick-off, City ended the night runners-up to Bayern Munich with Roma demoted to the Europa League and CSKA Moscow out in the cold. Even if they are drawn against Real Madrid or Barcelona on Monday, City will remember this night, this occasion when their players fought for the shirt, fought to stay amongst the European elite.
Roma had won five of their last seven home games against English teams. They had Gervinho in form. They had 50,000 fans screaming support, lighting flares and waving flags. And City dealt with all this calmly, determinedly, professionally.
Even when they face dark times in games in the future, City can reflect on events in Stadio Olimpico. They can take inspiration from the memory of Joe Hart’s impersonation of a human wall in the visitors’ goal.
Echoing David Seaman’s performance for England here in qualifying for France 98, Hart was magnificent, making vital saves from Jose Holebas, Gervinho, Maicon and Kostas Manolas. If Hart himself goes through a dip in form in the future, or finds people questioning him, he can rewind in his mind images of how he stood tall in Rome, a lion defying the gladiators
City proved they have a strong dressing room, a squad who can handle the absence of celebrated team-mates. They prevailed here without Yaya Touré, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero and with David Silva starting on the bench. When next staring at adversity, City can hark back to the time when Nasri was pulling the strings in the hole behind Edin Dzeko, scoring a sublime first on the hour. They can reminisce about Zabaleta’s will to win, his strength of lungs as well as heart as he stormed into the box with four minutes remaining to take Nasri’s pass, finish off Roma, confirm City’s place in the last 16 and send the fans into dreamland.
Strong performances could be seen all over. Martin Demichelis delivered a display of endless concentration and timing in the tackle. Gaël Clichy impressed. Eliaquim Mangala muscled Francesco Totti into the shadows. Jesus Navas was a pacey outlet down the right, causing Holebas a sustained headache. Mr Dependable, James Milner, became Mr Dynamic on the left. Fernandinho and Fernando broke up more Roman attacks than Asterix and Obelix.
All of those representing City deserve praise and particularly the coach, Manuel Pellegrini. His tactics were right, a 4-2-3-1 system that had balance, pace and belief. The Chilean got the mood right, filling his players with confidence that they could win this. He also got his substitutions right, setting Roma further challenges with his clever introduction of Silva and Stevan Jovetic. Here was a manager keeping his foot on the accelerator, not slowing up or shutting up shop. Pellegrini’s only defensive switch was sending on Aleksandar Kolarov for Nasri late on, seeing out the game.
Pellegrini has had to deal with plenty of questions about his management, precipitously given that he has won two trophies this year, but when the doubts are raised again in the future, he can quietly mention one night in the Eternal City. His team played attractive football away from home in tense circumstances. Yet all this understandable eulogising of City needs some perspective. Such a wealthy club should be qualifying for the knockout stages. A squad of such calibre should be reaching the last 16 – and beyond.
Digging deep in Rome is always a fruitful occupation and City certainly did so. Hart was captaining the side in the absence of Kompany and Touré. His promotion by Pellegrini was another reminder of how highly regarded Hart is at City and how imminent his new contract announcement must be.
Showing his importance, Hart dropped down smartly to take the sting out of a Holebas shot early on. News began filtering through that Thomas Muller had put the already qualified Bayern ahead from the penalty spot against CSKA Moscow. As it stood, City were heading into the Europa League with Roma going into the last 16 of the Champions League because of the head-to-head away-goals maths.
City were not thinking of the changing equations, simply doing all they could to break down the Roman ramparts. Milner, relishing the occasion, opened up some space and shot from left to right, bringing a good save from Morgan De Sanctis after 19 minutes.
Back came Roma in a wonderfully open half. Hart reacted well, pushing a Gervinho shot wide and then clutching a Totti corner at the second attempt. Back came City in a see-saw half. Dzeko fired over and then headed over. Back came Roma again, Maicon’s 25-yarder caught by Hart after 35 minutes. Gervinho then outstripped Clichy but placed his shot straight at the City keeper.
Pellegrini’s side continued to counter-attack strongly. Navas teased the ball behind Roma’s defence for Milner, whose shot was smothered by De Sanctis.
The attention was dragged from end to end like a frenetic tennis match. Gervinho’s dribbling skills were causing the English champions plenty of problems. He wriggled his way through in the 40th minute and fell under a challenge from Demichelis. The Serbian referee, Milorad Mazic, rightly ruled the Argentinian had got the ball.
And then cometh the hour, cometh the Frenchman. Nasri collected the ball from Clichy and benefited from Roma standing off. Nasri totally caught De Sanctis out with a sumptuous strike, the ball clipping the post and flying into the net. Nasri has been talking recently of the need for the players to deliver, to justify their reputations. He certainly did here.
As the scores now stood, City were through, following Bayern into the last 16. Roma increased their efforts. Adem Ljajic shot over, was then taken off, and threw down a water bottle in frustration. From a Miralem Pjanic ball, Kostas Manolas sent a powerful header goalwards but Hart managed to stretch out a hand and tip it on to the post.
Pellegrini’s first two substitutes were hardly made with shutting up shop in mind. Silva came on for Navas. Jovetic ran on for Dzeko. His attacking outlook paid dividends. With four minutes remaining, the outstanding Nasri calmly rolled the ball left to Zabaleta to beat De Sanctis.
Only then, and with news of Bayern going further clear through Sebastian Rode, did Pellegrini drop the portcullis. Off came Nasri for Kolarov. As Nasri walked slowly to the dug-out, the jubilant City fans sang his praises. He heard them, looked up and clapped them, showing appreciation for their support. Pellegrini shook Nasri’s hand warmly. A further bulletin arrived from the Allianz: Mario Gotze had made it 3-0 against CSKA Moscow. City were through â "with points to spare.
Another signal of hope for the future, more long-term hope, was Patrick Vieira’s EDS team winning 4-0 here earlier in the day, continuing their romp through the group. Pellegrini’s side made harder work but they are through. Roll on Monday’s draw.
CelesteItis
Well-Known Member
Chuffed to bits.
Now bring on the foxys.
Now bring on the foxys.