FC Energy Drink 0 - 2 City: Match Report and Player Ratings

 

City's Thursday evening introduction to the group stages of the Europa League was one of those games that could have delighted the circling press:  huge excitement in Austria, a fairly low key team yet the only team to win every game in the group stages last season, an allegedly difficult playing surface.  The ingredients were there, but it turned out to be a fairly routine victory in the end.

It was a good night for the players striving to cement a place in the first eleven.  David Silva, subject to a lot of praise over the past week, got his first goal for the club, is beginning to look up to pace, and should now be ready to join the Premier League campaign in earnest.  

Jo made his first start for City since 2008 and capped it with a goal and an assist - and helped free Tevez to play his favourite role.  If he is to play more football for City, then the goal will do him good - and he looked visibly exhausted by the end of the match, such is the rarity of him completing ninety minutes of football.  

The other player hoping to retain his place was Wayne Bridge, who, to the suprise of the statistic compilers, completed a cross in the build up to Silva's goal in the eighth minute.  He wasn't unduly tested defensively but his adventurous style of play hinted at how Mancini will eventually hope to use Kolarov and Boateng - a tight midfield with attackingly effective full-backs. 

It was the first we have seen of the diamond formation that we saw a lot of in pre-season and you can't help but feel we will see a lot more of it once everyone is up to speed - perhaps with Silva, Tevez and Balotelli as the top three. 

Kolo Toure and Vincent Kompany's partnership continues to grow, and both were impressive again when called upon.  

Milner talked about one of the positives of the quantity of games being that we will be able to rectify disappointments almost instantly, whilst building up some momentum and togetherness in the process.  The trick now will be to take this into the game against Wigan.

Player ratings:

Hart 6,  Zabaleta 6, Kolo Toure 8, Kompany 7, Bridge 7 (Boyata 6), De Jong 7, Barry 7, Yaya Toure 6, Silva 7 (Wright-Phillips N/A), Tevez 7 (Vieira N/A), Jo 7.

Man of the match: Kolo Toure