Round 1 To The Engineer, Dynamo Kyiv 1 vs. 3 City

“We played a serious game because we had to win this”

, Sergio Aguero - 24/02/2016

Goals; Buyalskyy (59'); Aguero (15'), Silva (40'), Toure (90')
Line Up (4-4-2);Hart, Clichy, Otamendi, Kompany, Sagna, Fernando, Yaya, Fernandihno, Sterling, Silva, Aguero (Iheanacho 90')
Stats;Possession, 49%/51%; Shots, 11(3)/12(5); Fouls, 4/10

Following the toughest few weeks in terms of results for Pellegrini’s men, and having suffered successive home defeats for the first time in the Chillean's tenure as City boss, the important games are now coming thick and fast. This away trip to the Ukraine, in City’s first knockout Champions League bout away from the Nou Camp, marked City's first real chance of putting their stamp on the competition in our short history in the ECL. Questions were asked by us fans, as to whether it would be Kyiv's lack of match sharpness, or City's poor form that would have the biggest say in Kyiv; as the home side played their first game after a three week winter break. The British media, however, were still selling web clicks on Pellegrini’s decision to rest the first team in the FA cup against Chelsea for this "prioritised" game. On the night it would seem that whatever Alan Shearer and co. thought about the decision, it mattered not a hoot to the team and the fans on a freezing evening at the NSC Olimpiyskiy.

It was a cagey start with no team really holding onto possession or making use of the ball. Kyiv with the first effort of the game tentatively tipped on to the bar from the England number one. After ten minutes, City managed a string of corners and one eventually found Yaya who nodded it down into the path of Aguero to rifle the ball with his right boot into the bottom left of the 41 year old Shovkovsky’s goal. Gifting City's crack player that much space in the box will always mean paying the price and City were 1-0 inside 15’, a great start.

Following the opener, City were initially unable to keep hold of the ball with Kyiv enjoying more possession in front of their home fans. The deeper positioning of City's formation coped well with this, and despite the possession there was no real danger. The Kompany and Otamendi partnership, also looked more solid, something City fans have been hoping for all season. Also the double act of Fernandinho playing right and Fernando to the left of what was ostensibly a three man midfield, was doing an excellent job screening the defence, and harrowing the opposition for the ball. Sterling, completing another confident European performance, continued to look menacing down the left hand side, both in controlled possession and on the break. This more direct approach down the wing is something City could have benefited from in recent matches, his pace and directness in getting to the bi-line, and terrorize his opposite full-back a joy to watch when in full flow. 

Following some great pressing play City began to look much more comfortable in possession, really looking dominant and forging chances without letting Kyiv get a look in. On 35', Fernando again showed great tenacity to fight to win the ball back, creating a chance which eventually fell to Yaya who forced a save from the keeper. On 40', City's new found confidence and dominance paid off, Clichy sent the ball long for Aguero who effortlessly brought the ball out of the air and played a reverse pass into the path of a marauding Sterling. The winger hit the bi-line and cut the ball across expertly for Silva to knock the ball in at the back post! From defence to attack with such intensity! 2-0 city! Aguero then almost immediately ended the tie as a contest before half time as he found himself bearing down on goal, but unfortunately pulled his shot wide of the right post.

Still City had ended the half looking hot in the freezing Ukrainian weather. Pellegrini’s tactics of pressing from the ‘Ferna’s’ was the anchor for allowing Yaya the breathing room to dictate neatly with Silva. The players dynamically adapting to their movement and even allowing Fernandhino to appear as right midfield on a number of attacks. Also, having the dynamism of Clichy and Sagna down the flanks allowed the midfield breathing room not having to recover from a failed Kolorov overlap that hasn’t gone to plan, as they bust a nut to get back. Hart's quickness in distribution also helped in keeping Kyiv turning and running back towards goal, City always looking for an opening and not giving the Ukranian's any breathing room when in possession.

City, being City did get slightly complacent for periods at the start of the second half as Kyiv do show that this game isn’t over yet, forcing chances through Yarmolenko who was easily their most dangerous player on the night. Also it wouldn’t be a @PatrickElano blog post without the mention of some form of penalty shout. Last night there were at least three. The first for Sterling who was brought down just before the Kyiv goal, having weaved his way into the box from the left flank, was I believe correctly judged to have gone down too easily.Then out of nowhere, Kyiv had a nothing, hopeful cross into the box, which although headed out by Otamendi, had no pressure on the second ball, and Buyalskyy hit it first time with the ball deflecting off the bearded Argentinian and past Hart. After being in control, the Ukrainians were back in it. 2-1 with still half an hour to play.

City, were not however knocked off their stride by this setback and instantly looked to bounce back on the attack. The second penalty shout came and went, with Silva having his heels clipped in the box, to add to the many penalty’s not given for City so far this season. This was almost immediately followed by a third shout, Fernandinho, who looked to be enjoying his new right sided central midfield role, was sandwiched by two Kyiv defenders as he cut into the box. Not as clear cut as the Silva foul, but we've all seen them given to the usual suspects away from the Etihad :/.

As the half wore on, the game continued to ebb and flow, but City continued to look the more likely. On 76' Fernandinho and Silva linked well, with the Brazilian playing a sumptuous the ball across to Aguero, only to see the keeper claims well at the feet of the striker. On 80' Yaya ventured forward using Sterling on the left who stood the ball up perfectly for the big Ivorian, only for him to put his header wide. This should have restored city’s two goal lead, and was a huge opportunity, which may have been playing on Yaya’s mind as he looked to make up for the miss. Make up for it he did however; "OH MY GOD YAYA STOP THAT IMMEDIATELY", was my actual quote at the time of goal (heard apparently in the flat below). On 90' Yaya played the ball around the corner to Fernandinho on the right, before barging his way past the defence to receive the ball on his ‘weaker’ left foot and sumptuously stroking the ball into the left corner around the the helpless Kyiv keeper. A truly Yaya-esque finish of sheer beauty. The game finished 1-3 City!

Pellegrini the engineer, had passed the first test in proving his sacrifice of the FA cup was the correct decision. City comfortable in both halves with welcome tenacity by the midfield to cover ground and harass Kyiv into making mistakes and not allowing the home side to use their possession to any affect. There was also a refreshing tempo to using the ball once City turned over possession, looking to instantly break forward and give an edge to the usual slow passing game we have been used to recently. Kyiv showed glimpses of why they deserved to be in this stage of the competition, but overall City deserved the fantastic victory. Special mentions to Fernando and Fernandinho who probably covered the distance from Manchester to Ukraine over the 90 minutes. Also to City's own Merlin who looked closer to the tempo setting magician that we know him to be.

Three away goals and a two goal cushion heading to the Etihad making things that much more relaxed. But even more crucial is the confidence boost this will hopefully give for Wembley! Can we start dreaming of Milan yet, blues? No, probably not, but not a bad step forward!

@PatrickElano