City versus Bayern Munich: A Night To Forget

City succumbed to a 2-0 defeat away to Bayern Munich last night in their second Champions League group game. A first half brace from Mario Gomez was enough to seal City’s fate on the night. In truth, Munich were far superior and deserved the victory. The German’s blistering form this season continued as City’s equally positive progress this season faltered somewhat. Munich are undefeated this season, without conceding, and they were clearly intent on continuing their unbelievable form last night. With one point from their opening two group games, City face a tough challenge to progress to the knock-out stages of the Champions League. Though, all is not lost as four games remain.

Unfortunately, the game will not be remembered for events on the pitch. The refusal of Carlos Tevez to come on as a second half substitute has, rather unsurprisingly, stolen the headlines. In a second half where Munich continued to control the game, Roberto Mancini ordered Tevez to warm up and replace Gareth Barry. Tevez did not move from the bench meaning Aleks Kolarov went onto the pitch instead, much to the anger of Mancini, the City staff and of course the fans.

Carlos Tevez refuses to play against Munich

Exactly who does Carlos Tevez think he is? For someone who portrays himself as an exemplary professional, last night showed a simply unacceptable side of the want-away Argentine. Tevez reportedly earns in the region of £250,000 a week and cannot be bothered to run around a football pitch for 30 minutes. That is just offensive, offensive to Mancini, his colleagues, the club and to his profession. Not only has Tevez incurred the wrath of Mancini and the City faithful he has also attracted deserved criticism from the wider footballing community. Mancini stated ‘If I have my way he will be out. He’s finished with me.’ I think you will be hard pressed to find someone who disagrees with the sentiment.

During the summer, I was of the opinion that if Tevez leaves City, great because he clearly doesn’t want to be there. Then again, I also thought that if Tevez stays, great because he will give it his all when on the pitch. Sadly, I have been proven wrong. His refusal to even take to the field of play is just a step too far. The sooner Tevez leaves City the better.

On what should have been a night to remember for City, playing one of the great European teams in arguably the best football competition in the world, the Champions League, it will be a night most City fans and players alike will want to forget sooner rather than later.  Even though City lost the game, the occasion should have been remembered for marking City’s arrival at the summit of European football. In reality, it will be remembered for the moment Carlos Tevez over stepped the mark and perhaps epitomised all that is wrong with modern football. The sooner City put this rather ugly episode behind them the better.

Words by Rob Toole

Stats For Sore Eyes

For those of you that cannot quite believe how brilliant City’s start to the season has been, Inoculated City has compiled some rather compelling statistics from throughout the season which prove that City’s blistering start is not an illusion.

General Play

75% – City have won 75% of headers in their own penalty area this season, more than any other team in the division. 26/09/2011

18 – David Silva has created more goalscoring chances from open play (18) than any other player in the Premier League so far in 2011/12. 24/09/2011

1394 – Barcelona (768) & Man City (626) produced the most passes in the Champions League this week yet neither side managed a win. 14/09/2011

26 – City had 26 attempts on goal against Wigan on Saturday, more than any other side in Game week 4. 12/09/2011

133 – Man City players have made 133 touches in the opposition box so far this season, no other side has reached 100 yet. 26/08/2011

92% – Manchester City have played a higher proportion of short passes than any other Premier League side this season. 25/08/2011

90% – David Silva has completed 101 of his 112 passes this season in the Premier League. 21/08/2011

31 – City had 31 attempts on goal versus Swansea. Almost 4 times as many as the visitors. 16/08/2011

It's looking good for City

Form

11 – City have now scored in 11 consecutive Premier League games. The longest current run in the division. 19/09/2011

4 – Man City have joined Chelsea (1997), Man Utd (2001) & Arsenal (2004) as the only Premier League away teams to score 5+ at Spurs. 28/08/2011

36 – It has been 36 matches since City last dropped out of the top 4 in the Premier League. 22/08/2011

And Finally….

One for the cynics who still think City are boring….

18 – It has been 18 Premier League games since City last registered a no score draw. 28/08/2011

Thank you to Opta City for the stats.

Words by Rob Toole

City versus Everton: The Italian Job

City earned a deserved and hard fought victory over Everton yesterday lunch time. City ran out two-nil winners in Manchester courtesy of strikes from Mario Balotelli and James Milner to finally overcome the stranglehold which Everton have had over City in recent seasons. Everton, going into this game, have won the last four Premier League encounters with City.

The game offered a different spectacle to what we have become accustomed to this season and this was mainly down to the negative tactics employed by Everton’s manager David Moyes. City had to work hard and be patient as Everton put all their players behind the ball in an attempt to stifle City’s attacking flair. This seemed to be working until the hour mark when Roberto Mancini introduced Mario Balotelli in place of Edin Dzeko.

The Italian youngster seemed to change the game in as much that he scored a goal to put City into the lead but he also added a different dimension to City’s attack. His pace, quick feet and directness was something that Everton could not cope with. Balotelli put in a fine performance against Birmingham earlier in the week and Mancini had clearly taken note.

After Balotelli scored it was notable to see him run straight towards Mancini and embrace him before acknowledging the delight of his team mates. Not that one can read too much into it, perhaps this demonstrates that Mancini has taken Balotelli under his wing and has been working closely with the, on occasion, fiery Italian so that he can fulfil his massive potential. After the game, Mancini praised Balotelli’s patience and work ethic this season as he has had to wait on the sidelines for his chance to shine. Perhaps his celebration was merely a thank you to his manager.

Balotelli embraces Mancini after putting City into the lead against Everton

As the game wore on, Everton did not adjust their tactics in response to the goal and seemed to be happy to resort to damage limitation. However, in the dying embers of the game David Silva took advantage of some sloppy midfield play from Everton substitute, Drenthe, to gain possession. The little Spaniard superbly held up the ball before feeding a sublime through ball for James Milner to tuck the ball home.

All in all, the victory was deserved and notable for the different approach that City had to take to secure the points. It may well be something City will have to get used to as the season wares on as few teams will try and take the game to City. It is comforting to see that City have the guile and temperament to overcome the sternest of defences, like Everton’s, as well the flair and swagger to tear apart teams, like Tottenham.

Words by Rob Toole