Gael admits he found it difficult to find just one favourite match from the 136 appearances he’s made for City to date with the 2014 5-1 win at Tottenham and the 6-1 victory over Manchester United both strong contenders.
But whereas a striker would undoubtedly go for a goal-fest, Clichy had to have a clean sheet in his selection. Few would have argued if he’d chosen the stunning 3-0 win at Southampton last November - notable for the excellent goal Gael scored that day to round off a terrific team move - his only goal in City colours
...My Favourite Game...
Instead he’s gone for a backs-to-the-wall away win that few gave the Blues any chance of winning...
The game: Roma 0 City 2, 10 December 2014
Having seemed set to finish bottom of the Champions League qualifying group with four games played, it was a minor miracle that City travelled to the Olympic Stadium in Rome with even the merest glimmer of hope that progression to the Round of 16 was still possible.
Even more so considering City had been 2-1 down at home to Bayern Munich with just five minutes of normal time remaining in the fifth group game. Two late Sergio Aguero goals had given the Blues a lifeline and, if Bayern beat CSKA in their final game, a win over Roma would be enough to make the knock-out stages.
City were under pressure for much of the opening period with Gervinho causing numerous problems for the Blues’ defence, but it was still 0-0 at the break. Then, on the hour, a moment of magic from Samir Nasri who cut inside of a defender before firing in a spectacular goal from 20 yards out.
A late second from Pablo Zabaleta settled the game and with Bayern also winning, City were into the next round.
Now watch and enjoy..
Gael’s thoughts: “It’s not easy to pick just one game – the victory against Roma from the season just gone was a vital game for us to win but I’d also say the 5-1 win away to Tottenham in 2013/14 was also an amazing performance by the team.
“Winning at White Hart Lane is always difficult but that day, everything went right for us and everything we tried came off so it was an amazing performance by the team and one of my personal favourite games.
“That said, as a defender, the way we stood firm and defended as a team against Roma just edges it.”
Media reaction: “Clichy struggled to track Gervinho just as much as Zabaleta had but put in some wicked crosses from the left that certainly fall into ‘Sergio Aguero territory’.
“Produced one magnificent touch under pressure late on in the second half that underlined his confidence and capped off a steady showing for the French full-back.” David Lynch, Manchester Evening News
