As all
football enthusiasts eagerly await the start of a new season, we, the team of 18 Yard Box
preview the title challengers and analyse their chances of winning silverware this
season. Its the turn for the defending champions to take centre stage.
2013-14 Season Review
 |
| The Double:A Blue Moon rising |
The 2013-14
season was an eventful one for Manchester City as manager Manuel Pellegrini led
his side to Premier League glory for the second time in three years in his
maiden venture in English football. However, this time it was Liverpool who gave them a run for their money and took them till the last day. Based on solid and consistent
performances from their host of world-class players, Manchester City turned the
Premier League title race on its head after a topsy-turvy season which saw the
title move from The Emirates to Anfield and finally end at The Etihad. Earlier
in the season, City had ensured they don’t end the season trophyless by winning
the Carling cup with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Giant Killers, Sunderland.
What defined City’s season was their goal scoring prowess which saw them score
the 2nd highest number of goals in a Premier League season with a
whopping 102 goals.
The likes of Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero all managed to score more than 15 goals each during the course of their campaign. Even on the European front, City managed to break the jinx of not qualifying beyond the group stages and even managed to beat German giants Bayern Munich 3-2 at the Allianz Arena. However, their outstanding season on the pitch was tarnished by the Financial Fair Play sanction levied on the club leading to a 50m pound fine by UEFA. All in all, winning 2 trophies out of a possible 4 reminded some of the City loyalists of their glory days in the 1959-60 season.
The likes of Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero all managed to score more than 15 goals each during the course of their campaign. Even on the European front, City managed to break the jinx of not qualifying beyond the group stages and even managed to beat German giants Bayern Munich 3-2 at the Allianz Arena. However, their outstanding season on the pitch was tarnished by the Financial Fair Play sanction levied on the club leading to a 50m pound fine by UEFA. All in all, winning 2 trophies out of a possible 4 reminded some of the City loyalists of their glory days in the 1959-60 season.
What can we expect?
Manchester
City will start the new campaign as firm favourites to retain the Premier League
crown. The transfer window till now has seen the arrival of experienced
Goalkeeper Willy Caballero from Malaga, Bacary Sagna from Arsenal and
midfielder Fernando from F.C Porto at the Etihad. A self sufficient side with
plenty of choices for different positions on the pitch, Manchester City do not
need too many more signing to bolster the squad. Manuel Pellegrini’s attacking approach and an
array of attacking options has always seen Manchester City score plenty of goals. Some adjustments at the back would make City an unstoppable force
this season. Nothing short of a top 4 finish, if not winning the League, will
please the Abu Dhabi based owners. Having
conquered the Premier League crown twice, City would like to focus on their Champion’s
League record. They have the resources and the experience of a manager who has
previously worked with European giants Real Madrid and also had been instrumental in bringing out the best out of a depleted Malaga side.
Style of play
 |
| Attack is the best form of defence |
Citizens have undergone a change in their style of play ever since the Manuel
Pellegrini has taken charge from Roberto Mancini last year. Their attacking
style of play is based around ball retention in
the centre of the park with Yaya Toure and Fernandinho anchoring midfield for
the Sky Blues. Playing a 4-2-3-1, City have extremely quick widemen who can break in the blink of
an eye in the likes of Jesus Navas and fullbacks like Gael Clichy, Aleksander
Kolarov and Pablo Zabaleta who terrorise opposition with lethal balls from wide
positions from both sides of the pitch. With a forward line that boasts of
players like Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Stefan Jovetic & Alvaro Negredo, City are spoilt for choice in their selection of frontmen. With David Silva and Samir Nasri operating as the playmaker and the inverted winger respectively, City have the vision to cut open defences. City are not only
dangerous from open play but also from set pieces with players like Silva
and Kolarov who are known to pack a punch in their set piece
delivery. One more option is that of Yaya Toure, who has done quite well with the deadballs.
If there are any chinks in the armoury it is the absence of a suitable central defensive partner for Vincent Kompany. Having lost Joleon Lescott to West Bromwich Albion on free, City are in dire need of a defender who could provide competition for places to Nastasic and Kompany. A player who has been heavily linked with City is the French defender Mangala. Should City snap him, they would have with them a sturdy backline.
Key players to watch out for
If there are any chinks in the armoury it is the absence of a suitable central defensive partner for Vincent Kompany. Having lost Joleon Lescott to West Bromwich Albion on free, City are in dire need of a defender who could provide competition for places to Nastasic and Kompany. A player who has been heavily linked with City is the French defender Mangala. Should City snap him, they would have with them a sturdy backline.
Key players to watch out for
1. Yaya Toure
 |
| The Pulse of the team |
Ever since
his arrival at the Etihad from the Nou Camp, Yaya Toure has stamped his
authority on the English game. Playing in centre midfield, the man from Ivory
Coast is an invaluable asset to his side by scoring goals at vital junctures in
the game or literally bulldozing the opposition midfield with his pacy and
powerful bursts up the field. A former African Football of the year, Yaya Toure
has grown from strength to strength and exerted his influence on the team. He
has added the ability to take free kicks to his already long list of attributes.
Despite recent speculation over his future he remains a fan favourite who might
single-handedly power his team to a 3rd Premier League title in 4
Years.
2. Sergio Aguero
 |
| Lean Mean Scoring Machine |
Argentine centre
forward Sergio Aguero arrived at The Etihad from Athletico Madrid in 2011 and
has never looked back. Be it under Mancini or Pellegrini, he has been a regular source of goals for City. Blessed with speed, power, ball control and deadly
accuracy, he has been able to wreak havoc in defences not just in the Premier League
but also world over. His goal against QPR on the final day which handed City a
3-2 win and the Premier League trophy has already made him part of Etihad
folklore.
3. Vincent Kompany
 |
| Kaptain Kourageous: Kompany |
Belgian
Centerback and captain of the team, Vincent Kompany, has been the key to Manchester
City’s fortunes with his calming presence in defence, aerial threat from set
pieces and his leadership on the field of play. His ability to read situations
and make vital interception at the back has been instrumental in keeping the
City defence almost impenetrable. Having struggled with a few injuries last
year Kompany would hope to have another successful campaign under his belt.
Written by,
Pranav Shenoy
Pranav is a writer/ contributor at 18 Yard Box
No comments:
Post a Comment