Reigning
Champions in England, a Sergio Aguero named master-class in their attack, a
defense protected with Vincent Kompany at its helm with a Yaya Toure dominated
midfield, and this is a side many in the Premier League would die for. However,
the least Manchester City fans would have expected was to decide whether to
pray for a win or a defeat against a side which is their only good chance of
beating in this season’s Champions League.
So
when both of the Champions League minnows met each other on Wednesday, there
was a similar situation in Man City ranks, as happened with Everton last season
when they met Man City in the later stages of the season knowing, that if they
beat the blues, Liverpool will win the league.
Astonishingly, both
Liverpool and Tottenham qualified for the Champions League in a season in
which, they both weren’t taking part in EUROPA League.
Although
this factor cannot be attributed to that of Everton, still there was a tension
in Manchester City ranks when they met CSKA Moscow side which was written off
by many, only to a comeback against Manchester City which put life in a side
that has done very well to compete with money-bags in their league.
While
it was a horrid Man City team whom CSKA got the better off, still the Citizens
got a blessing in disguise as they are away from the UEFA Europa League pitfall
now. Now, either they will be going to the next round or coming back home as they have less chances of getting the third spot.
Liverpool finished
3rd in group stages in 2009-10 season. They went on to play in Europa
Semi-finals, however their League form suffered as the Reds finished 7th in the
League 7 points adrift of a Champions League spot.
After
hosting CSKA and undergoing a brutal defeat to CSKA Moscow, City will host the
Bavarians at the Etihad on the 25th of November before a trip to Roma awaits
Manuel Pellegrini men. However, inadvertently, Wednesday’s fixture has
inadvertently written off chances, if there were any, of the Premier League Champions being going through from the group of death.
Teams that have gone
far into the Europa League have struggled in the Premier League with Tottenham
and Liverpool as obvious examples.
While
EUROPA League has its own importance, history have shown teams who go far in
EUROPA deem to struggle in Premier League. Take Tottenham and Liverpool for
instance as the latter qualified for the Champions League when they weren’t in
Europa a season before.
Europa League has 32
teams in the knockout phase, while Champions League have 32 team in the group
stages. That means the 3rd place teams in Champions League, will have to play
one extra round.
So
even though City were undone by a side whose entire team probably cost less
than what Eliaquim Mangala cost to the Premier League Champions, looking at the
brighter side of the picture and City probably have been handed a boost in
their defense of Premier League title this season.
Also Read: Yaya Toure is the highest paid African!
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