Of course, they didn't, and the 2-2 draw marked a disappointing end to a comparatively prosperous year for the club.
The Blues claimed their second Premier League title in three years in May, coming out on top in a gripping tussle with Chelsea and Liverpool. Two months earlier, Vincent Kompany had his hands on the Capital One cup - it was a year of domestic dominance for City and their new manager, Manuel Pellegrini.
But the club's conduct in Europe still raised questions. City were shrugged off by Spanish giants Barcelona in the last 16 of the 2013/2014 Champions League - the demeaning 4-1 aggregate score illustrating the Blues' technical and experiential weaknesses in the competition. A total of £52m was spent in the summer in a bid to better prepare the side for the rigors of European football, but Pellegrini's acquisitions have come in for some severe criticism so far this season.
This term, the club have taken a monumental step in etching their name into elite of world football. Early in December, City unveiled their new £200m state-of-the-art CFA training complex to the media. Jamie Jackson of the Guardian described the facility as 'unbelievable' and said 'You go in there and you know the club are serious.'
(City's new football academy has been described as 'phenomenal' by journalists)
The hierarchy at Eastlands expect to produce first team players in the next two to three years that will feature in the starting eleven every single week. It's a bold statement from a club that have only ever welcomed one truly successful academy graduate into the first team in the last decade in Micah Richards, but it's one Manchester City fans should believe.
And City's conduct on the field has been as impressive. Sitting three points behind Chelsea in the league, awaiting a third round FA Cup clash with Sheffield Wednesday and salivating over yet another Champions League knockout round meeting with Barcelona, more trophies are most definitely on the horizon.
There may be room for improvement, but Manchester City fans have a lot to look forward to in 2015.
League position
It's difficult to conclude whether the standard of the league is getting stronger, or whether it's actually becoming weaker.
Chelsea failed to beat a struggling Sunderland side, Manchester United conceded five goals against bottom club Leicester, and Manchester City collected just a point from home ties against Stoke and Burnley. Of course, results like this happen often in the Premier League, but the fact that the likes of Liverpool and Everton, (teams that performed so well last term), have slumped so drastically raises questions.
Second place is a fair representation of the football we've played so far this season. We've been efficient more than we have been brilliant, and Chelsea have been the only team to play better than us.
Style of play
Pellegrini introduced a ferocious brand of attacking football last term that engulfed the league. Unfortunately, City fans will always compare the club's style of play to the 2013/2014 season because it was so brilliant to watch.
However, this season has seen our approach acquire more patience. Our midfield isn't particularly quick and Pellegrini has begun to rely on Jesus Navas for that injection of pace. Navas is definitely fast, but his delivery often disappoints and he's a very dispensable member of the team. Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov gave us most of our width last season, but Pellegrini's rotation system has meant that there is an extra focus on the centre of midfield for creativity and penetration.
(Jesus Navas has been relied on for width this term)
Obviously, Sergio Agüero has been magnificent and Yaya Touré has started showing the class he exhibited earlier in the year, but David Silva is still our best player. Everything comes through him and I feel he'd benefit from having a couple of wingers either side of him.
New signings
Our new signings have generally disappointed.
Eliaquim Mangala has given an assortment of sweet and sour performances since his £32m move in the summer, and only one of those performances has warranted that fee. That was his debut against Chelsea where he kept Diego Costa at bay in a commanding performance.
There are signs that he can become brilliant - which is the main thing. He's impressive in the air and lightning fast on the ground, but he's too impulsive and often commits unneccessary fouls in dangerous areas. He'll benefit from Kompany's experience, but he needs to improve soon.
(Fernando (left) and Eliaquim Mangala (right) have endured a frustrating start to life in Manchester)
Fernando is a Nigel De Jong type player in that he loves to put himself about. The Brazilian is quicker and more agile than the Dutchman and is often in the right place at the right time. I like him, but I don't see him as a starter. Technically, he's not great and Fernandinho offers much more all over the pitch than the former FC Porto man. He's a good squad player, but not someone that has particularly improved the side.
Bacary Sagna is a proven Premier League right back and I liked the fact we signed him on a free in the summer. The transfer was shrewd and has afforded the ever-present Pablo Zabaleta with a much deserved rest. Sagna is versatile and great in one-on-one situations, but there's no comparison between him and his Argentinian teammate.
As for Willy Caballero, it pleasures me to say that Joe Hart has batted away his threat with ease.
Champions League
I was one of many fans who gave up on City after their home defeat to CSKA Moscow. It was an atrocious display, but one I'd come to expect of us in Europe. Unfortunately, the club have a poor relationship with the competition and fans feel hard done by when we lose.
(Pablo Zabaleta celebrates his goal against AS Roma)
The players don't have the same attitude, and finally (finally!) they showed the resilience they've displayed in the Premier League for so long with two spectacular results against Bayern Munich and AS Roma. Sergio Agüero's enchanting rescue-act against the Germans definitely injected some much needed confidence into the side and the performance at the Stadio Olimpico was possible the most professional display we've offered in Europe in our history. How we got through, I'll never know, but you can never put these types of results past City.
Barcelona have an incredible amount of experience in Europe and I'd expect them to beat us again. I just hope we show more fight that we did last time around.
Star performers
- Sergio Agüero - absolutely unplayable and still the league's top scorer despite injury. We're a much more intimidating force with him in the side and we have a lot to thank him for with regards to our progress in Europe and our emergence from a torrid run of form two months ago.
(Sergio Agüero has netted 19 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions for the Blues this season)
- James Milner - a man that will give absolutely everything on a consistent basis. The most versatile and hard-working member of the squad, but also an extremely talented player. Makes assists, creates chances and has become a big game player for the club. Has to sign that new contract soon.
- David Silva - a magician. The Spaniard is much better in the hole behind the striker and possesses a touch and composure unseen elsewhere in the league. Messi-like on his day and one of the team's most consistent performers. The best player to ever grace the sky blue shirt? Definitely.
- Joe Hart - earned himself a new contract with a vital array of saves. Distribution still poor, but the 27-year-old is beginning to show what a good goalkeeper he is.
Under performers
- Eliaquim Mangala - there's definitely hope, but the Frenchman has not shown £32m form in a City shirt as of yet. Suffers when his left-back struggles, but often lunges into tackles and can be out of position on occasion.
- Edin Džeko - hasn't got going. The Bosnian has a tidy injury record but has struggled with them so far this season, meaning he has only been able to make 11 appearances for the side. With just two goals this season, Džeko has fallen way behind his Argentinian partner in the pecking order.
(The Bosnian has struggled with injury)
- Aleksandar Kolarov - began to show form last term but seems to have become even worse in a defensive sense this season. Yet to give Pellegrini a reason to start him ahead of Gaël Clichy.
