After failing to progress further than the last sixteen in their four attempts at Champions League football, the citizens will be determined to finally turn domestic glory into success on the continent.
With the criteria for the group stage draw seeding changing to reflect domestic standings instead of previous achievement in the competition, City may feel they are unlucky once again with this season’s draw. But they shouldn’t.
The current Premier League leaders will face tough competition from last season’s runners up Juventus, successive Europa league champions Sevilla and Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.
This aside, they have many reasons to be confident they can finally break into the quarter finals and beyond, particularly now they’ve had four seasons to clock up European miles competing against the best.
Ahead of their opening Group D match up with Juve, we look at how the blues can improve in Europe and where they may still struggle.
With the criteria for the group stage draw seeding changing to reflect domestic standings instead of previous achievement in the competition, City may feel they are unlucky once again with this season’s draw. But they shouldn’t.
The current Premier League leaders will face tough competition from last season’s runners up Juventus, successive Europa league champions Sevilla and Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.
This aside, they have many reasons to be confident they can finally break into the quarter finals and beyond, particularly now they’ve had four seasons to clock up European miles competing against the best.
Ahead of their opening Group D match up with Juve, we look at how the blues can improve in Europe and where they may still struggle.
Strength of defence
Judging from the opening five games of the season, City look unflappable at the back - not conceding a single goal. That’s without the addition of proven world class defender Nicolas Otamendi.
Kompany has looked back to his solid best and his centre-back partner, Mangala has given no reason to suggest he should surrender his place to the new £32m Argentine.
Even more impressively, somewhat second-choice fullbacks Sagna and Kolarov have stepped up to the mark this season, showing they are equally capable of defending and providing attacking support.
Being spoilt for choice at the back can only benefit the Citizens in Europe and when Pellegrini has a full roster fit to select from, he will feel he has one of the best defences in the competition.
Kompany has looked back to his solid best and his centre-back partner, Mangala has given no reason to suggest he should surrender his place to the new £32m Argentine.
Even more impressively, somewhat second-choice fullbacks Sagna and Kolarov have stepped up to the mark this season, showing they are equally capable of defending and providing attacking support.
Being spoilt for choice at the back can only benefit the Citizens in Europe and when Pellegrini has a full roster fit to select from, he will feel he has one of the best defences in the competition.
Drop the 4-4-2
During his time as Manchester City manager, Manuel Pellegrini has been heavily criticised for his persistence with a 4-4-2 formation in Europe. The Chilean’s team have looked second best in midfield when lining up this way and didn’t make clearing the group stage look easy last season.
Although the team have strengthened this summer, if they revert to this set up they should expect to find similar frustration. We have seen from their impressive start so far that something akin to a 4-2-3-1 is where they look the most the dangerous, and should be the chosen Champions League line-up.
With depth to cover all of those positions in that formation, there's no reason why City can’t persevere with the system and progress.
Although the team have strengthened this summer, if they revert to this set up they should expect to find similar frustration. We have seen from their impressive start so far that something akin to a 4-2-3-1 is where they look the most the dangerous, and should be the chosen Champions League line-up.
With depth to cover all of those positions in that formation, there's no reason why City can’t persevere with the system and progress.
Crucial counter attacking
An area where Etihad faithful have fallen down in the past is their failure to counter attack clinically with pace, particularly when they have found themselves under the cosh for 80 minutes.
But this is where new additions Sterling and De Bruyne will provide some relief - in the games where City find themselves chasing for large periods against arguably better teams.
This injection of pace on the counter attack should prove to be invaluable so they can soak up pressure and still have an outlet to win or rescue games.
But this is where new additions Sterling and De Bruyne will provide some relief - in the games where City find themselves chasing for large periods against arguably better teams.
This injection of pace on the counter attack should prove to be invaluable so they can soak up pressure and still have an outlet to win or rescue games.
Top the group
In the past two seasons, while City finally reached the knockout stages, it’s been as the group runner-up - with a reward of Barcelona as last-16 opposition.
While they should feel able to stand toe-to-toe with such teams, for a better chance at overcoming the last-16 woes they have to come top of another tricky group stage. But as tough a group as it may be, if current domestic form is anything to go by, Pellegrini’s men have a right to feel confident.
The Citizens have enjoyed a 100% winning start, while all of their group opposition are yet to register a league win in their opening games. Juventus (2 points), Sevilla (2 points) and Borussia Monchengladbach (0 points) currently sit 16th, 18th and 20th in their respective leagues.
But even with less than perfect domestic starts, Juventus and Sevilla’s European credentials are undoubted, so there can be no room for complacency. City must take maximum points from games at the Etihad is a must in order to win the group.
While they should feel able to stand toe-to-toe with such teams, for a better chance at overcoming the last-16 woes they have to come top of another tricky group stage. But as tough a group as it may be, if current domestic form is anything to go by, Pellegrini’s men have a right to feel confident.
The Citizens have enjoyed a 100% winning start, while all of their group opposition are yet to register a league win in their opening games. Juventus (2 points), Sevilla (2 points) and Borussia Monchengladbach (0 points) currently sit 16th, 18th and 20th in their respective leagues.
But even with less than perfect domestic starts, Juventus and Sevilla’s European credentials are undoubted, so there can be no room for complacency. City must take maximum points from games at the Etihad is a must in order to win the group.
Keep Sergio fit
A knee injury from a cynical tackle against Crystal Palace means Aguero looks set to miss the opening group game; but the blues will need their goal scoring talisman fit and on form throughout the competition if they want to stand any chance.
The exit of Dzeko and Jovetic has severely reduced the choice of strikers with a Champions League goal scoring record, as Bony and youngster Iheanacho are lacking in experience at the highest level.
Even though the club aren’t short of dangerous attacking players, the burden will fall to Aguero to provide goals when the team are most up against it.
As we’ve seen many times before, it’s not something he’s afraid to do, but keeping him from out of the medical room could be the biggest challenge.
With these factors and the start we’ve seen, you can expect Manchester City to finally take another step forward in the competition this season and begin to repeat the past successes of other English clubs.
The squad certainly look hungry for success and will mount their Champions League challenge at home to Juventus at 19:45pm, Tuesday 15th September.
*My post was originally written for VAVEL
The exit of Dzeko and Jovetic has severely reduced the choice of strikers with a Champions League goal scoring record, as Bony and youngster Iheanacho are lacking in experience at the highest level.
Even though the club aren’t short of dangerous attacking players, the burden will fall to Aguero to provide goals when the team are most up against it.
As we’ve seen many times before, it’s not something he’s afraid to do, but keeping him from out of the medical room could be the biggest challenge.
With these factors and the start we’ve seen, you can expect Manchester City to finally take another step forward in the competition this season and begin to repeat the past successes of other English clubs.
The squad certainly look hungry for success and will mount their Champions League challenge at home to Juventus at 19:45pm, Tuesday 15th September.
*My post was originally written for VAVEL