Champions League: City Tamed By Lyon

It wasn't the result many expected from Manchester City in their opening fixture in this seasons Champions League. Defeat at the Etihad has been very rare for the Blues over the last few seasons, yet from the first whistle it never felt quite right in the stadium.

It was not so much the defeat, although not great, but the manner in which the Blues started their European campaign which would be most disappointing for City fans. Pep Guardiola was, of course, a spectator for the opening fixture. A ban carried over from last season for his particular seat for this game.

A few supporters have come down very hard on their side, but is that justified? Certainly Lyon deserved to get points from the game with City very lethargic for large portions of the game. Even the referee, who booked Aguero for arguing a decision, then agreeing with him by reversing the decision, cannot shoulder much blame. It was just one of those nights and it will tell us much of the side with how they respond in Wales at the weekend.

So what points did I take away from the game? Positive or negative everything will be analyzed by Pep and I am sure magnets will be moved around a white board a unbelievable pace. For me there wasn't too much positive about the performance and so this may be much more negative than previous analysis. I try to be honest with my opinion, and that's no different with this game.

1) Jason Denayer- Why?

On the books for Manchester City for a number of years the Belgium International never really made that break through in the Blues first team. This pre-season though I really thought he might get a look in, all be it in fifth position behind Vinny, the General, Stones and Laporte. In the end though, he moved to Lyon on a permanent deal and. for the player, I am glad he got his move.

Certainly I rated him above Eliaquim Mangala, and last night he was massive for his new side. He was wherever he was needed to cut out the Aeriel balls into the box. Going forward he was also composed. Always looking to move forward, he played good balls to the wide players.

Now it could be that he felt he had something to prove to his old side, only time will tell. Result aside, I am happy for the player who still has another four or five years until he reaches his prime.

2) Too Slow In The Build Up:

As I said earlier, there was just something that felt off from the opening whistle. Watching the game it was frustrating as we seemed to kick back to the City side from Pep's first season. There was no real sense of pace in attack from the Blues who seemed to prefer to play sideways and back.

There were no real decisive balls forward from the blues play makers. High balls into the area were easily picked off, and it was hardly surprising. Denayer is a little over 6ft and co were always favorites over a shorter attacking line.

3) We Miss Pep On The Sidelines: 

Up high in the stadium, Pep was helplessly watching on. On the sidelines, in the dugout, was a much less energetic Mikel Arteta. That's not necessarily a critique of the ex Arsenal man though. Everyone has their own style, and it was probably tough for the 36 year old apprentice to step into the masters shoes.

We suffered in a similar way last season when Pep initially was sent to the stands. I think that speaks volumes for the guys in game management, with his ability to identify problems and tweak stuff as the game is progressing. For Arteta, viewing the game as a whole, and from the sidelines, is still new and a whole new world.

4) Mistakes Punished:

The most frustrating part of the game would be the chances we had compared to the opposition. 70% possession with 22 shots in the game and we still lost 2-1. In the end, as I eluded to earlier, our chances were not used to their full potential. Balls high into the box are rarely going to trouble the defensive unit of Lyon.

When we used the pace of Leroy Sane driving into the box, and a ball across the floor, we scored our goal. Meanwhile Lyon took advantage of their good fortune and limited chances. The opening goal came from a Fabian Delph mistake while the second came after an uncharacteristically weak Fernandinho was nudged off the ball.

5) Progression Not Lost:

No, the result was not great. Would we still expect Manchester City to qualify to the knockout stage? Absolutely. I would even go as far as to expect the Blues to still finish top of the Group, such is my confidence this was a one off.

Five more games with fifteen points on offer, and only one point adrift of the qualification spot, there is plenty of time and points available. Last season Liverpool tied their first two games against Sevilla and Spartak Moscow before a double header against Maribor saw them get two easy wins. They would qualify top of their group and make it all the way to the Final.