1 History Boys
It might have been a forgettable game, but the goalless draw against Kyiv guaranteed another slice of history for City; a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. With every passing year, our experience in Europe’s elite competition grows and progress is being made.
People have criticised the Ukrainian side’s performance on Tuesday night, but with hindsight, a thoroughly professional display at the Olimpiyskiy National was decisive in the tie. A 3-1 aggregate win is an impressive performance overall.
2 Toure force
City’s big Ivorian took the armband after Vincent Kompany’s unfortunate exit and produced a true captain’s performance. His surging runs through the midfield sent sparks of electricity around the Etihad Stadium on a generally low-key night, and proved yet again what a powerhouse he is.
3 Kompany man
The overriding emotion when skipper Vincent Kompany limped off was sympathy. You only have to read and watch his views to understand just what this Club and football means to him, yet he is being denied the chance to help achieve the big goals.
He has been imperious since his February return but now he, and the squad, must show great mental strength to tackle the rest of the season successfully.
4 Goal-den touch
The stalemate was City’s first ever goalless draw in the Champions League and followed on from a blank against Norwich at Carrow Road.
With a team packed full of as many attacking talents as City, you would hope a third successive blank will be avoided against United. City have scored more home goals in the Premier League than any other team (39) – what better time to rediscover our touch in front of goal than Sunday?
5 What a difference a draw makes
The importance of topping your group has been laid bare as we near the end of the last 16. For the last two seasons City had the misfortune to draw Barcelona out of the hat after a second-placed group stage and both times went out.
This year a table-topping performance in the first phase has given City a crack at the last eight. To win the Champions League you need to beat the best teams, but there can be no doubt fortune plays its part. Will Lady Luck favour the Blues on Friday? Find out right here then.
6 Derby deliberations
Although the mantra is ‘one game at a time’ it was difficult to stop thoughts straying to Sunday’s derby as the Kyiv tie meandered towards its conclusion.
If there was a silver lining to the dark clouds of Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi’s injuries, it is that both went off early, giving Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis valuable game time. There is encouraging news about Otamendi’s knock, while the Tuesday kick-off should give the squad an important extra day’s rest ahead of the United game.
C’mon City!
