City Turn Up The Heat
Make no mistake, this was a huge result for Manchester City, especially in the context of their season. With three huge defeats in three huge games, their title challenge hanging on by a thread and their dismal demise in the FA Cup at the hands of Chelsea, this game, and Sunday's game against us are all that is left of their season, which once again is falling apart at the seams in February. Two defeats this week had the potential to destroy the remnants of City's crumbling campaign before the second month of 2016 is out.
Of course, defeat on Sunday would still be devastating for City, and leave almost all of their hopes on the Champions League, but nevertheless, this result, a 3-1 win away at Kiev was absolutely massive. Yes, Manchester City will probably not win the Champions League and yes, this game is one that they really should have expected to win anyway, but that is in truth, neither here nor there. City needed to show tangible progress in this competition, where they have slipped up time and again, especially in potentially tricky fixtures away from home. But it was City who prevailed today, with an early goal from Aguero and then a slick move finished by Silva making sure that the game was effectively over by half time. And from there, with City's big guns purring, it looked like a formality that they would kill the tie before full time. But Kiev tested them, and Buyalsky's goal just before the hour mark could have had the same effect that Dybala's goal had the previous night for Juve. Indeed, Kiev certainly didn't lie down after pulling one back, and the nerves would have been jangling in the City defence. Nevertheless, 2-1 away from home would have been a terrific result for City.
But it didn't end 2-1, as Yaya Toure stepped up with a trademark Toure curling shot to put the game to bed very late on, making it 3-1 and effectively sealing Kiev's fate. You cannot possibly see this Kiev side scoring a minimum of three goals at the Etihad and City have secured safe passage to the last eight. And from there, if they get a kind draw (and there will be some beatable sides left in this competition, right now I'd wager that on their day, this City side can take anyone except Barca and Bayern) then the semi-finals certainly aren't out of reach.
Whilst a good Champions League run would hardly make up for what has been so far a very disappointing league campaign, and it's arguable that the only way to restore any muster to City's Premier League ambitions would be a swift exit from the Champions League, this result will certainly give them a lot of heart as they go into the cup final against Liverpool on Sunday fresh off the back of a positive result. I'll be interested to see how seriously they take that game.
Europa League Crunch
And speaking of Liverpool, we're in action tonight, with an almost full strength side taking on Augsburg needing a win at Anfield tonight (or a 0-0 draw and penalties but eff that). The likes of Sturridge, Firmino and Coutinho should have more than enough firepower to see of the Germans on our own turf tonight, but there's no guarantees and with our league campaign disappointingly null and void at this point, a good cup run is essential, which is why Klopp appears to be going at it hammer and tongs. Simply put, a strong performance is a necessity tonight.
Do I think we'll win? It's a difficult question. I certainly think that we have sufficient strength to win on the night, especially at Anfield, and certainly we should be winning, but whether we will or not is an entirely different question. I have faith in this side, but I also could see us struggling tonight and a victory on the night is what is needed.
Either way, I'm hopeful that tonight we will see Klopp lead his side to a comfortable victory, and we can make progress in another cup competition ahead of Sunday's huge game. Much like City, we have a season defining few days ahead of us.
Elsewhere in the Europa League, Spurs host a Fiorentina side who need to score at White Hart Lane if they want to make any further progress in the competition. Unlike Liverpool and United, Spurs haven't got much pinned on the Europa League, as they are looking increasingly likely by the week to be guaranteed Champions League football next season, and can even make a solid league title challenge if they are able to keep their side fit. As such, they will more than likely rest players tonight, but I can still see them having enough to secure either a narrow win on the night, or a goalless draw that would see them through to the last 16, following an excellent result in Italy.
And as for Manchester United. Well they're missing another key player as Chris Smalling is injured but to be quite frank, it would be as embarrassing, if not more for them not to qualify tonight as it would be for us, or as it was when they lost to Wolfsburg. And much like Liverpool, their season hopes seem to hinge on the Europa League, since their faltering league campaign is looking very likely not to produce a top 4 finish. Expect United to send out a strong side tonight and, with the home advantage, they should win by a couple of clear goals and knock out Midtjylland, even without Smalling, De Gea and Rooney.
So in summation, all three English clubs should win tonight, both on the night and hence their respective ties. And Spurs are the only ones who shouldn't be embarrassed if they fail to make it through to the next round, depending on how weak the side that they send out tonight is.
The Hard and Fast Section
- Varsity. 7:15. Be there.
- There's plenty of other big sides in action tonight.
- Itoje has been handed his first England start.
- Warwick's footballers prepped for Varsity by beating Cov 6-1.
- Right, I have some punditry to get to.
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