Mancini's team selection showed exactly what this competition means to him. Fielding Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko and David Silva all in the same team initially seemed a little gung ho. Behind the front four were Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure protecting an unfamiliar back four of Boateng, Kompany, Zabaleta and Kolarov. Before the game began, I thought (the thoughts I could barely hear myself as it turns out 119 is 10 around seats away from the away fans) that the shape of the team would be piling a lot of pressure on Gareth Barry and Yaya Toure to provide some protection in front of the back four. With Kolorov getting forward so effectively from left back there is often a vulnerable area left behind in his wake, a void that Gareth Barry more than obliges to fill. With Barry dropping wide this presumably would have left Yaya Toure with a lot of work to get through in his solitary central role and therefore (again presumably) leaving us susceptible to counter attack.
This wasn't so, somehow in the first half everything clicked into place. The front four were playing quick incisive passes, David Silva orchestrating the pace of the game and delightfully finding space where I believe not many others can. Mario Balotelli started out in a more left sided position but the fluency and apparent understanding with Dzeko and Tevez saw all three of them effortlessly switching positions.
Gareth Barry had one of his best games for City. The importance of his role in the team is often overlooked but tonight he stood out and really looked to lead the team. He was first to every ball. We had a lot of possession which meant there were a lot of balls turned away by the Aris back four, Barry was always there, hungrier than anyone else and time after time he controlled the ball and re-started our attacks.
Vincent Kompany's injury could possibly be a huge blow depending on the extent of the injury. On the night, the effect on the team was minor due to the strength and depth within our squad. Kompany's injury saw him replaced by Pablo Zabaleta who slotted in at right-back and Jerome Boateng moved inside to partner Joleon Lescott. At any time in any game, when your best defender goes off it makes the game slightly less comfortable. Today again was an exception to the rule. Lescott played perhaps his best game for City, he was strong in the tackle and very composed on the ball. I haven't been his biggest fan since he joined us but a few more performances like that would certainly change my mind. Boateng also stepped up to the challenge, at centre back he looks much more comfortable and suited to the position. He has a tendancy to time interceptions perfectly and step infront of his man to emerge with the ball. This could possibly change the way out back 4 lines up with Richards and Zabaleta fighting for the right back position (I think they are the most effective both going forward and at the back) leaving Kolo Toure, Lescott and Boateng all fighting to partner Kompany at CB. Anyone who reads this blog regularly knows I'm a big fan of Kolarov and he would be first choice left-back for me every time.
Edin Dzeko looks sharper now every game, took his goals very well with both feet which is refreshing to see.
The second half slightly dimmed in comparison but with a 2-0 lead it is understandable that some of the urgency departed. Overall I think our first half performance against Aris was enough to show that we really can win this competition.
No comments:
Post a Comment