Roberto Mancini`s manic celebrations said it all. The epitaph was being written for the death of Manchester City’s European adventure before Aguero`s 93rd minute winner against Villarreal saved City’s bacon had kept them alive in Europe by the skin of their teeth. If ever there was a goal to act as a catalyst and spark a team back into life, this was surely it.
City may be top in the premiership (and impressively so) but their performances in Europe have thus far ranged from mediocre to poor. Against Napoli they played well in spells but there was no doubt the Italians were full value for their point. Against Bayern they were subjected to a football master class, even before the antics of Tevez and Dzeko. Against Villarreal they were flat once again although Dzeko did miss a host of chances.
However all of this must be consigned to memory and City must think with the mindset that their Champions league campaign has just started with that Aguero goal. They still need six points from their remaining three group games, a stern test to say the least. Especially when you consider two of those trips are away (Villarreal, Napoli) and the only remaining home fixture is against one of the strongest teams in the competition (Bayern Munich). Vincent Kompany was correct when he described Man City’s group as `by far the hardest` but that can be no excuse for failure to qualify when you have spent as much as City and possess the quality they do.
City have not done themselves justices in the competition so far and many of us have been disappointed in their sub par performances but not entirely surprised. After all the Champions league is the yardstick to measure how good a team truly is, and City’s struggles have made a mockery of those who would have you believe the premiership provides the meaner test. A year ago Gareth Bale`s hatrick against Inter Milan was the spark which Spurs needed to kick start their European campaign, City will hope Aguero`s winner has the same effect.
Aguero`s goal was just as important for Mancini as City. He has been derided in some quarters as a Champions League flop for his inability to guide Inter past the QF of the Champions League despite winning the league three years running. Those criticisms will not vanish overnight but at this moment in time he will have a sense of vindication. His decision to take off Adam Johnson was brave and demonstrated the Italians resolve and willingness to rectify his own mistakes. His decision to bring Aguero on was perhaps obvious but Mancini`s faith was still rewarded and the goal will have strengthened his belief that he is the right man to bring glory to the blue half of Manchester.
City’s win gives them that oh so precious intangible commodity going into the Manchester derby: momentum. Had city failed to win a negative feeling would have pervaded the club for the next few days and the period of introspection would have raised doubts about the ability to go to Old Trafford and get a result. Mancini would have had an almost irresistible urge to deploy negative tactics against their rivals and hope to leave with a point and preserve their position at the top of the table. The manner of City`s victory: a last gasp winner following a drab performance was reminiscent of all those victories United have conjured up at Old Trafford. With the win under their belts, City can put their full energies into the derby with the knowledge they can play so much better than they did yesterday.
City have been tipped by many (including this writer) to go far in the champions league this season. They have provided very little evidence thus far to justify this prediction but they have given themselves a chance to improve and carry on their European adventure. Their lack of experience in the competition always meant they would find it difficult to find their feet but their initial settling period is over and now is the time for them to push on. Seldom (if ever) has a Champions league debutant possessed a squad of such depth and quality and it is only right we expect big things of City this season. We may look back in later years on Aguero`s goal as the defining moment in City’s season, but only time will tell.
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