As Luis Suarez’s first goal went in, Manuel Pellegrini sank back in his seat. It was hard to tell whether the look was one of exasperation or resignation.
Pellegrini had, after all, had a year to prepare for this, a year to solve the problems that characterised his team’s defeat against Barcelona one year ago. It took just quarter of an hour for him to realise that he hadn’t managed it.
For all that Manchester City found a way back in to this game in the second-half, the decisive period of this evening was the opening half an hour. That was the period that told us that City to continue to chase their tail when it comes to finding the right template in the Champions League.
City grabbed something from this game by chasing it hard. Their energy and their will found them a way and Joe Hart’s penalty save at the death means that the Barclays Premier League champions head to Spain next month in better spirits than they otherwise might.
The truth is, though, that teams don’t make significant headway in this tournament by chasing games, especially at home. Success – dominance - comes from solid foundations of possession. It comes from control and from method.
Sadly, Pellegrini’s team seem no further forward from that perspective than they were a year ago. That is surprising. City continue to invest in their squad but nights like this raise valid questions about whether it is actually moving forwards at all.
source: daily mail
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