Three Things Manchester City Learnt From Lyon

On Tuesday Manchester City earnt their passage to the knock out stages of the Champions League with a hard fought draw away to Lyon

Raheem Sterling is not a Central Midfielder

Sterling is a fantastic talent. Tearing apart defences and scoring goals. But he is not a Central Midfielder. Pep Guardiola is the greatest manager I have ever seen but if he has one foible we can forgive him for, it is a tendency to over complicate his planning in the Champions League.

It’s as though this trophy is so special to him he goes to meticulous x 11 and over thinks things. That sees us playing people out of position, to try and catch out the opposition, and how it ends is with us getting over run in midfield.

Sterling can play on the left wing, on the right wing and through the middle but we learnt the hard way he is not a Central Midfielder.

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Aymeric Laporte is Getting better every game

There is something about Laporte. He can read the game. He can move at pace. He can pass on a sixpence. He is becoming immense for us, giving us both balance and reliability in our defence.

Against Lyon he defended resolutely and scored another trademark header. Every game is further cementing his reputation and right now he is looking like an absolute bargain at £57 million.

City are into the Knockout Games with a match to spare

So we advance to the draw on 17 December and wonder whether we will be the ball in the fridge or whether we get a real draw. This is the 6th time we have advanced out of the group in the last 6 seasons.

Despite the booing. Despite the controversy we are establishing ourselves in the competition. Whether we make the final stages or not is so dependent on the draw but we have a game left.

How to play against Hoffenheim will be a conundrum for Guardiola. Does finishing top really give you an advantage? Should we rest our team? How many fans will turn up for a dead rubber game?

Whatever happens I suspect the Champions League will continue to be a stick to beat us with in the weeks to come! Roll on the draw!