Five reasons why Manchester City can win the Champions League
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | September 15, 2016
Reasons why Man City can win Champions League
Manchester City continued their 100 per cent record across all competitions this term with a 4-0 thumping of Borussia Monchengladbach in their belated Champions League opener.
Not even a delay of 24 hours caused by heavy rain in the city could check the momentum of the Etihad outfit, who have now been guided to seven successive wins by Pep Guardiola.
Although cut into 10/1 by Coral to lift the European Cup, City remain at hugely attractive odds in the outright betting.
In light of that, our football experts got their heads together and here put forward five reasons why Man City can win Champions League glory for themselves. After all, it’s been the aim of their wealthy owners from the outset…
Sergio Aguero
Including the play-off first leg, Argentina and City star striker Aguero has scored six goals in two Champions League appearances this term.
Should he stay fit, then Guardiola has one of the most lethal finishers in world football spearheading his attack. Aguero is a 9/2 chance to be top goalscorer in the Champions League this term.
Mobile and just one strike away from double figures in all competitions, Aguero has previously pledged to stay at the Etihad until the Champions League trophy is in his grasp.
Pep Guardiola
Here’s an incredible stat for you; Catalan coach Guardiola has always reached the semi-finals minimum of Europe’s elite club competition in his managerial career.
A two-time Champions League winner as Barcelona boss, to go with his 1992 European Cup medal as a player, Guardiola was brought to Man City to lift more of this silverware.
While his spell with Bayern Munich was a so-nearly story with a hat-trick of penultimate hurdle defeats, there is no doubting the Champions League pedigree of Pep. It is why City’s wealthy owners installed him in the Etihad hotseat.
No tactical remedy found
Try as they might, no opposition in whatever competition Man City have been playing in can say they managed to stop them yet.
What does Coral football ambassador Alan Shearer think about Man City and the other English clubs in the Champions League? Hear his views below:
Although there is always the possibility that momentum could change, City have already impressed in Premier League and Champions League action. Their first-half display in the Manchester derby, in particular, stands out as breathtaking.
Guardiola has his players mixing it up, playing the possession game but also allowing for a more direct style when there is opportunities to exploit. At Man City, he may just go from the prophet of tiki taka to a new tag of master tactician.
Rejuvenated players
While Guardiola has been ruthless when it comes to the likes of Wilfried Bony, Joe Hart, Samir Nasri and Yaya Toure, his first couple of months as City coach haven’t entirely surrounded wielding the axe.
Serbia wing back Aleksandar Kolarov and England attacker Raheem Sterling (above) have looked back to their best under new management. Both are naturally happiest going forward, and Guardiola has allowed this.
The fruit of such labour is obvious; a magnificent seven out of seven victories that have established Man City as serious contenders for silverware at home and abroad.
Keeping it clean
For all the attacking exploits of Aguero, Sterling, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and others, City are also yet to concede a goal in the Champions League.
Cynics will point to Monchengladach and Steaua Bucharest and stress the level of competition they’ve faced means you can’t read too much into this, but it’s notable to contrast with their Premier League defensive record.
Guardiola has seen Man City concede one goal in each of their four English top-flight fixtures so far, yet the tightening up in Europe is a fact. All of this and more points to City being very credible Champions League contenders indeed.
Related
You’ll find more Champions League features like this one throughout the season on Coral news’ dedicated page.
