Sky Sports football expert believes City can go on to conquer Europe should they qualify
Wednesday 10 December 2014 19:27, UK
This season's Champions League group stage will grace the Sky Sports screens for the final time on Wednesday night, as Europe's elite club competition approaches its midway interval. Graeme Souness assesses Manchester City's must-win clash in Rome, and Sporting's trip to the Bridge...
Roma v Manchester City - 6pm, Wednesday, Sky Sports 5HD
Their main man this season has got an injury at the wrong time. For City to win the league, Sergio Aguero would have to play in the vast majority of their games so that’s not going to happen.
They could be nine or 10 points behind Chelsea come the end of the festive period because he’s not fit and he’s been the difference in recent games.
So for them to go to Rome and have to win there without their number-one striker, with David Silva out and Vincent Kompany not there, it's a hell of an ask. They’ve got injuries at the wrong times to their big men.
Pellegrini has got a team of fabulous players at his disposal but it just happens that three out of their four main men are out at the same time. You can’t legislate for that.
I wouldn’t rule City out to go over there and get a result but it’s now become very difficult because they’ve lost their main threat. City will go there, I would imagine, and think they can win, as that has to be the attitude.
My attitude to the game is that you don’t have to win it in the first half. City can start with one up front, be solid throughout, with the extra man in midfield and just see how the game develops - you can always go for it in the last half hour. You don’t need to hand any initiative to the home team otherwise they’re going to dominate the midfield like they did the Etihad.
For City to go to Rome, and have to win in Rome, without their number one striker, with David Silva out and Vincent Kompany not there is a hell of an ask. They’ve got injuries at the wrong times to their big men.
If I was Pellegrini, I would load up the midfield, play one striker and, if necessary, make the positive changes going forward after I’ve seen how the game goes. You don’t want to have to make changes because you’re chasing the game.
It’s going to be very tough for City, but they can go far in the competition when Aguero is back, as February is a long time off. So this is a big game. They’re not where they want to be in their progression and this wasn't how they saw it panning out, but they’re up against it now to get out of the group stages.
If they finish second in this group, could they beat Real Madrid or Barcelona over two games? Yes they could. If they get out of this group and draw anyone other than Real or Barca, you would fancy them. Actually take Barca and Real out of it. You would fancy them to get past anyone over two legs, if they can get out of the group and have everybody fit.
Chelsea v Sporting Lisbon - 7:30pm, Wednesday, Sky Sports 1HD
Chelsea did all the hard work early on and they can just focus on the league game at the weekend. This is nothing for them.
Again, this game will be decided on what team Mourinho picks because Lisbon are not a bad team.
They’re a Portuguese team who will be great on the front foot and if you’re not bang at it, they could beat you - they are full of flair and imagination. But no-one wants to lose at home, particularly Mourinho, so you'd expect him to field a side capable of getting a result.
Watch Manchester City's trip to Rome and Chelsea's clash with Sporting Lisbon live and exclusive on Sky Sports this Wednesday. Keep up with all the action in the Champions League as Alan McInally takes charge of the Goal Zone on Sky Sports News HQ.
