Wednesday 14 May 2014

Manchester City's next target

High up in the sky, looking down at the rest, the Sky Blues have just conquered the mountain that is the Barclay's Premier League. Although feeling on top of the world with the majestic view from the top of their domestic Mountain, towering above them to their side and rising above the heavens, is a mountain rivaling Olympus, looking down at all of Europe. City have attempted three expeditions up this mountain, falling off the edge all times. Now though, as they prepare to hike up it again, they can have no excuses to fear this mountain that has never been conquered successively by the one club, the UEFA Champions League.

Having won the Barclay's Premier League twice in three years, the Citizens have had a run at the UEFA Champions League three times over the last three years. Out of those three occasions the furthest they have managed is the round of last sixteen. Having just led a domestic crusade by winning the Premier League on the final day of the season, City need to consider conquering Europe their main target next season. To make a successful impact on Europe, the Sky Blues should consider the quarter finals the minimum, with the semi-finals being a success. Although dominating domestic opponents with a world class squad, they still have a few steps forward to take to take Europe by storm; the Citizens need to act in the transfer market and buy a world class center back partner for Vincent Kompany, they cannot fear teams with holding more European experience and the Etihad should be a fortress feared throughout Europe.

A part of City's demise in their last European campaign was caused by Martin Demechilis. The Argentine was a grenade, with Barcelona pulling the pin. He slid tackled Lionel Messi when last man at the edge of the box, giving away a needless penalty, and resulting in an early shower in the change rooms. To make it in Europe against the best opposition in the world, the Citizen's need to look at options available in the Summer to partner Vincent Kompany in defence. Three realistic world-class center backs the Sky Blues should chase after include Porto star Eliaquim Mangala, Benfica's Argentine Ezquel Garay and Morocco's monster Medhi Benatia. Highly rated versatile Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala, capable of playing center back and Left back, has received praise because of his pace, strength and aforementioned versatility. With his pace and strength, the Frenchman is able to recover quickly for himself and teammates. The Porto man would also easily fit in with Manuel Pellegrini's style as he is good and confident with the ball at his feet, all this at the tender age of twenty three.The second Primeira Liga center half is Argentina's Ezquiel Garay, twenty eight years old, who has been a cornerstone in Benfica's hopeful domestic treble and Europa League campaign. The Argentine has strong pace but is praised for his defensive attributes, reading the game like a book. He is strong and able to out muscle attackers, and good in the air. The last of the the three center backs City should target is Medhi Benatia, the rock of AS Roma's rise this season. The Moroccan has been exceptional at the back for Roma, the warden of the Jail that applies lock-down to attackers. He is praised along with the other two for his turn of pace, strength off set pieces and puts his all into every challenge. The defender is always a threat off set pieces, and commands his area with ease. With either of these three center backs paired with Vincent Kompany, Manchester City's defence would be unbreakable with two of the world's best center backs.

Although Demichelis played a part in the fall of City, they ultimately shot themselves in the foot when they hosted Barcelona at the Etihad. City were not the almighty Kings hosting unworthy servants at their Etihad feast, instead they were the royal court Jesters entertaining Barcelona. They allowed Barcelona to hold the ball and play with it, a style City have adopted in their domestic league. This resulted in a 0-2 home loss to the Catalans, showing the inexperience of the English Champions. To leave a mark in Europe, City have to be the bully, get in the face of the opposition and show their quality, not be the one giving up the lunch money. They can not allow teams that have more experience to have a walk in the park. When City traveled to the Camp Nou though, they played like they should have played at home. They pressed Barcelona, showed they weren't scared, and created solid goal scoring opportunities. Although leaving Europe last season with glimpses of what they can do when they were the hungry, wild jungle cats, City's last campaign will be remembered for rolling over like the humbled lion, a trap they cannot fall into again.

When a team walked down the tunnel of the Etihad in the Premier League and saw the 'Pride In Battle' motto before the tunnel exit, they knew they were going to war. In the 19 battles that took place at the Etihad, City walked out victor's seventeen times. They won a total of fifty two points points out of a possible fifty seven. This stadium will be an important aspect in Manchester City's European challenge. The Sky Blues have to make examples out of teams. They have to turn the stadium into a European Gladiator Pit. It should strike fear into the unlucky opponents, make them afraid to step out into the barbaric atmosphere. Though to succeed in creating a fearful destination for opponents, the fans and players alike have to work together. If the fans are always behind the home team and create an electric atmosphere, the opposition will get zapped. Together, they can make it a destination that strikes fear into any opposition; whether they be a Bayern Munich, Barcelona or a Real Madrid.

With a special spot sitting in the Etihad trophy cabinet waiting for the Champions League trophy, City need to win that trophy before the dust settles. To win the famous trophy, the Citizens just have to take a few steps forward, and if they do, they have a real chance of impacting Europe, and prove that Manchester is now blue.



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