Ouch. Another disaster in Europe which left more questions than answers.
It’s difficult to know whether the tactics of Manchester City coach Manuel Pellegrini are to blame for the results in Europe or whether the players heads have gone after so many reverses in the biggest club competition in the world.
The rather annoying truth is that it’s probably a bit of both.
We always remember Manchester United taking some serious spankings when English clubs returned to Europe after the Heysel Ban.
But the most crucial thing was that United learned from every defeat.
But, after 5 seasons in The Champions Legaue and no obvious progress, one wonders whether Manchester City are evolving as a European animal.
Most frustratingly, you can expect them to be absolutely devastating again at the weekend.
This league is in danger of being turned into a procession before the autumn is out with Manchester City’s nearest challengers, Manchester United, facing a touch test away at Southampton and Arsenal travelling to a wounded Chelsea this weekend.
But all Manchester City can do is concentrate on their own form and the return of Sergio Aguero will further their cause.
Wilfried Bony played fairly well against Juve but he will drop back to the bench, as will Samir Nasri, in our strongest XI for the weekend visit of West Ham.
This game will surely see a start for Kevin de Bruyne, who may be about to form a formidable front line with Sterling and Aguero.
It’s certainly one of the salient elements to look out for this weekend.
So here is our strongest Manchester City XI for the weekend.
City fans: thoughts please.
