The week that was: European Adventure

4. Manchester City 1-3 Bayern Munich:

Barca resorted to route 1… Where did I go wrong????

The Bayern Munich of this season is a different beast to that of last season, or so it had seemed, until they displayed the same pin point potency and chilling German efficiency as they completely eclipsed the blue moon in its own backyard.

Completely outmatched, tactically and physically, it was embarrassing at times to watch as England’s most expensively assembled team looked bewildered, out of depth and frankly lacking quality. Yaya Toure was ineffectual and Fernandinho was run ragged as the Bayern team, led by the European player of the year Ribery, ripped into them. The final scoreline flattering City no end.

But honorable mentions must go to Joe Hart and Gael Clichy. For all of Munich’s domination, were it nor for those two we might have seen another result. While Hart continued to join the legions of of goal keepers who have failed to keep a clean sheet against Munich (Only Fabianksi has kept a clean sheet against them in the last 73 matches), Clichy came up with some kind of hitherto unknown defending technique as he first played a Munich player on-side and then proceeded to stand still and catch the best view of the goal that would be eventually scored. Hat doffed to Clichy.

There was enough time for some late drama as Negredo curled in absolute beauty to make it 3-1 and Munich went down to 10 men, but the game petered out.

City are just a few billion $$$ away from progressing to the knock stage me thinks. The highlights are worth watching just for Negredo’s amazing finish.

Highlights