Manchester City still on rise

Posted Thursday, December 08, 2011 by Dailystar.co.uk

Manchester City still on rise
Above: David Silva celebrates after scoring Manchester City’s spectacular opener

Manchester City are learning fast. How long before they win the Champions League?

Money can’t buy experience and this was a controlled, measured performance. The Blue Moon is rising.

They more than matched one of the masters of the Champions League on a night that meant so much to them.

Manager Roberto Mancini said before the game that the big clubs in Europe know one day City will be the best in the world.

This was a test of that boast and their passing, movement and refusal to panic was such a good omen.

David Silva’s first-half goal settled any nerves and a wonderful move, finished by Yaya Toure after 52 minutes, confirmed the difference in the team’s attitude.

Who would have thought City’s Champions League dream would come down to this? Beat Bayern and hope.

They did more than hope. They controlled the game with a performance that will delight Mancini.

It had nothing of the pace and power of the Premier League. In so many ways it was a ‘European’ display.

City first had to play cat and mouse with Bayern until Sergio Aguero had a clear chance from Samir Nasri’s cross but he headed over.

It was surprising that the atmosphere at kick-off wasn’t electric. It was the Bayern fans who made the most noise. City supporters, like the team, took time to warm up.

It needed a special moment to break the deadlock and who better to provide the magic than Silva?

The sweetest left foot in the Premier League drilled in the goal from 15 yards and City were alive and kicking.

The Spanish international had just been clobbered from behind by Luiz Gustavo, who was booked. Silva had only returned to the pitch seconds before when he made it 1-0.

Then Aguero had a shot cleared off the line by Jerome Boateng and suddenly City were in control. Aguero’s movement is superb and he continually lost his markers.

A lot has happened to Mancini’s team since they lost for the first time this season in Munich, back on September 27. The Tevez affair is nearing its climax with his January loan move to AC Milan.

City have gone five points clear at the top of the Premier League and beaten rivals United 6-1 at Old Trafford. The confidence is sky high.

Europe, however, is where they want to be. Not the Europa League, but with the best. The fact City’s only two defeats this season have come in this competition hurts Mancini.

He meant it when he said that his team are destined to be the best in the world. The City boss left out Mario Balotelli and went instead with Edin Dzeko. If you win after big decisions like this, they add a tick to your CV.

Ask Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, who dropped Frank Lampard on Tuesday and sailed into the last 16.
Bayern have won this trophy four times and want to be in another final, at their home, next May.

They could even afford to leave out their biggest star, French international Franck Ribery. It was clear by half-time how much they need him.

The Germans, already through to the knockout stages, were disappointing.

City had won 12 Premier League matches in succession going into the game, conceding only seven goals in their last 18 at home. No wonder they were confident.

They were even happier after Silva’s goal and Toure’s second put them in complete control.

The big Blue Moon was smiling. Yes, City really are learning fast.