Europe’s elite will have had one eye on Manchester City’s first appearance in the Champions League against Napoli.
After another summer of spending the blue side of Manchester are gearing up for their first meal at Europe’s top table.
So how does City measure up against the rest of the Premier League clubs in the competition?
Although its City’s first time in Europe’s top club competition they have a squad that most sides would envy. City’s ranks boast some of the competitions best players and with Sergio Aguero in top form the Argentine looks set to set the completion alight.
Although there will be some players making their CL debuts the team still has a wealth of European pedigree and experience. Also it’s worth noting those players making CL debuts (Joe Hart, Micah Richards etc) have international and Europa League experience that will leave them in good stead. Players like Silva, Tevez, Dzeko and Nasri bring City a cutting edge going forward and will strike fear into any opposition they will face.
The main thing that sets City apart from the rest of the Premier League teams in the competition is this is all new to them. Like Spurs last year who had a very good campaign they will cherish every little experience and enjoy every moment.
What this means is City will have no fear. Unlike Chelsea who are riddled with ghost of previous tournaments and professional choke artists in the CL City have no past experiences to haunt them.
Arsenal have come close in previous seasons but have always been let down by a sloppy defending or just outclassed and out battled by the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona. Not only do City have an attacking line up that would walk into most teams in Europe they have a defence that is solid and organised.
Mancini is often criticised for having too much of a defensive setup however this will surely mean City will be well prepared for those tricky away games where a clean sheet and an away goal are crucial.
Then there’s Manchester United. The second best team in Europe last year will no doubt be setting their sights on making it to the final for the fourth time in five years. The only thing standing in their way is Barcelona and Manchester City. United will no doubt have a fear factor with Barcelona. The Catalan giants dismantled the Man United machine at Wembley in May and in Rome in 2009. This again gives City the advantage they have no fear over Barcelona. City would relish the chance to take on the European Champions and it would be interesting to see this tie happen over two legs.
Like City’s historic FA Cup final win May their debut in the CL will be another key moment in their rise through the game as only 12 years ago they beat Gillingham in the second division playoff final.
Whether they will admit it or not eyes from Manchester, Madrid, Milan and Barcelona will be on the Etihad Stadium.
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Man City will inevitably become a dominant force in the Champions League and with the vast European experience within the squad it will not take them long to settle. With a widening gap between the top European clubs and the rest, cemented by a disparity in prize money and exacerbated by UEFA’s new fair play rules, it won’t be long before City are completely dominant on the European stage. Read more about the negative impact of UEFA’s new legislation on my blog – http://alex-keble.blogspot.com/