Schalke 0 City 2
- I don't think this win should be underestimated - and not just for securing qualification. For a side not very experienced in European competition, it was a big statement win (with some key players) against a side who are expected to reach the latter stages and should bode well further down the line.
- Although the desire will be there to win the group, it will at least allow Mark Hughes the option or resting certain players or giving others some meaningful action as we head toward the congested Christmas and New Year period.
- A slightly interesting decision by Hughes to overlook both Ben Haim and Onouha (with stories of his impending departure maybe not far off the mark) and break up the Richards-Dunne partnership with Kompany featuring at centre-half and Richards on the right. Kompany certainly was impressive and it presents a potential dilemna for Hughes. With a potential signing of Lassana Diarra in January it would allow this, but I do worry that Hamman or Gelson would weaken this area if they featured on a permanent basis.
- Interestingly - as Jack points out, it is our first win scoring this season scoring less than three goals, and there are signs that we maybe mixing a degree of pragmatism along with the flair and attacking threat.
The fact that victory was earned without the talismanic presence of Robinho underlined City's achievement in becoming the first English team to defeat Schalke on their own turf. >>telegraph.co.uk
Manchester City’s new owners want their club to be playing in the Champions League as soon as possible and there were signs last night that they will get their wish ahead of schedule. >>times online.
ENGLAND’S recent superiority over Germany on the football field was emphatically reinforced by the buoyant Blues last night. >>MEN.
Manchester City, who already have a notable chunk of history in these parts, created a little more with an admirable — if at times fragile — win against the side Mark Hughes had rated the strongest in a group his team now controls with six invaluable points. >>guardian.co.uk
1 comment:
spot on this was a brilliant win absolutely. I was really not a fan of the way hughes has been setting the team up there was many many occasion already this year when i said why not drop kompany back he finally did it and it worked a right treat, hughes tactic were spot on we set up to feel them out in the first 20 and then after that i thought it was about doing everything not to concede and to take our chances when they come which is exactly what happened. A little mention on stephen ireland i was sceptical on him i must admit i think nearer the start of the season people were jumping on professionals peoples comments that hewas playing well where as i was stills eeing an ireland that gave you 1 good pass for every bad one or 1 good tackle for no tackle atall and so on but i have to say he has absolutely blown me away the last few weeks there is not a player on the planet including kaka, ronaldo, messi that i would swap him for and i mean that 100% he is outstanding.
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