Rudi Garcia's expanding Roman empire were always going to test the credentials and character of Champions League Group E's two titans. Bayern Munich are yet to acquaint themselves with the dauntless Italian outfit who currently boast a 100% record in Serie A; but on Tuesday evening, Manchester City quivered before the intimidating pace and energy of AS Roma.
Sergio Agüero's fourth minute penalty suggested a rare, and relatively unequivocal, European triumph was on the menu at the Etihad Stadium, but David Silva's seductive chipped through ball into the Argentine provided the only real creativity displayed by Manchester City throughout the 90 minutes.
Roma, martialled by the elegance and imagination of Italian legend Francesco Totti, responded vehemently, disorienting and teasing their hosts with intricate one touch passing and a succession of dangerous through balls. It was the 38-year-old who levelled the tie with a sumptuous chip over Joe Hart after 23 minutes.
Manuel Pellegrini's side now face a dispiriting uphill trudge toward qualification. They are expected to collect six points from their two games against CSKA Moscow, but a trip to the Stadio Olimpico and a visit from Bayern Munich pose significant obstacles in the way of their bid to progress from Group E.
City lacked imagination on Tuesday night, but they also lacked the confidence we often see from them in the Premier League.
Why leave early?
(Rio Ferdinand showed his true colours with a series of ignorant tweets regarding Manchester City's attendance)
City's fans were wrongly criticised for their supposed lack of support on Tuesday evening, but in truth, the Etihad faithful orchestrated an audible Mancunian chorus of 'When the Blues go marching in' that resounded around the stadium throughout the first 45 minutes of the game.
But there's no excuse for leaving the stadium early, especially when your team are pushing for a goal. A considerable portion of the 38,000 attendance vacated their seats well before the final whistle blew, and City could have done with a 'twelfth man' in those five additional minutes. Ticket prices are ridiculous and do not accommodate for the average working class fan, but beating the traffic is an embarrassing excuse for abandoning your team as they desperately push for a winner.
No pressure.
(Image via AS Roma Youtube)
Roma are a fast, creative team with plenty of attacking intent, and Manchester City facilitated the momentum of the Italian's attacking play by standing off their opponents. In the image above, Touré presents Roma's most influential playmaker, Miralem Pjanić, with at least 10 yards of space to drive into. The space available to Roma's midfielders forced David Silva into a more central position in an attempt to plug the gaps leaving Gaël Clichy isolated against the pace of Gervinho and Maicon.
City are notoriously vulnerable to a counter attack, but Manuel Pellegrini's decision to employ a deep-lying midfield back fired and presented the Giallorossi with too much room to exhibit their brilliant one-touch attacking football.
Is Sergio OK?
Sergio Agüero has scored five goals in eight appearances so far this season - but his impressive tally doesn't narrate the full story of the Argentine's start to the 2013/2014 campaign. He's lost the ball and reacted with only a disappointed grimace, he's been outmuscled by the opposition on numerous occassions, and he's faded out of every game he's started. By no means am I questioning Sergio's commitment, but there are concerns over his fitness levels.
Agüero has certainly performed better alongside a partner this term. Last season, Álvaro Negredo's strength and physicality brought out the best in the 26-year-old who netted 28 goals in all competitions, and so far this season, Edin Džeko's muscular presence has expedited Agüero's tendency to buzz around the 18-yard-box and run at defenders.
There have been flickers of brilliance from the Argentine, but his performance levels have indubitably dropped in the latter stages of the games he has featured in. We need him back to full fitness, and soon.
Why leave early?
(Rio Ferdinand showed his true colours with a series of ignorant tweets regarding Manchester City's attendance)
City's fans were wrongly criticised for their supposed lack of support on Tuesday evening, but in truth, the Etihad faithful orchestrated an audible Mancunian chorus of 'When the Blues go marching in' that resounded around the stadium throughout the first 45 minutes of the game.
But there's no excuse for leaving the stadium early, especially when your team are pushing for a goal. A considerable portion of the 38,000 attendance vacated their seats well before the final whistle blew, and City could have done with a 'twelfth man' in those five additional minutes. Ticket prices are ridiculous and do not accommodate for the average working class fan, but beating the traffic is an embarrassing excuse for abandoning your team as they desperately push for a winner.
No pressure.
(Image via AS Roma Youtube)
Roma are a fast, creative team with plenty of attacking intent, and Manchester City facilitated the momentum of the Italian's attacking play by standing off their opponents. In the image above, Touré presents Roma's most influential playmaker, Miralem Pjanić, with at least 10 yards of space to drive into. The space available to Roma's midfielders forced David Silva into a more central position in an attempt to plug the gaps leaving Gaël Clichy isolated against the pace of Gervinho and Maicon.
City are notoriously vulnerable to a counter attack, but Manuel Pellegrini's decision to employ a deep-lying midfield back fired and presented the Giallorossi with too much room to exhibit their brilliant one-touch attacking football.
Is Sergio OK?
Sergio Agüero has scored five goals in eight appearances so far this season - but his impressive tally doesn't narrate the full story of the Argentine's start to the 2013/2014 campaign. He's lost the ball and reacted with only a disappointed grimace, he's been outmuscled by the opposition on numerous occassions, and he's faded out of every game he's started. By no means am I questioning Sergio's commitment, but there are concerns over his fitness levels.
Agüero has certainly performed better alongside a partner this term. Last season, Álvaro Negredo's strength and physicality brought out the best in the 26-year-old who netted 28 goals in all competitions, and so far this season, Edin Džeko's muscular presence has expedited Agüero's tendency to buzz around the 18-yard-box and run at defenders.
There have been flickers of brilliance from the Argentine, but his performance levels have indubitably dropped in the latter stages of the games he has featured in. We need him back to full fitness, and soon.
