I’m going to address this right at the beginning, there may not be a conclusion at the end of this article. I don’t think I know the answer to the problem that I’m addressing. But I take heart from the fact that nobody seems to have the answer. In this article, I address why Manchester City can’t seem to play in the Champions League.
No one doubts City as a club, they’re a huge club now. And, much more importantly, they have amassed a phenomenal playing squad. On paper City are good enough to get out of their Champions League group. It’s not easy of course, no European game is. But when City are at their best you would back them against anybody. However, just two games into their European campaign they find themselves with a huge task left in front of them to get out of the group.
City have managed a 1-0 loss away at Bayern Munich and a 1-1 draw at home to Roma. They have catching up to do. There are a number of theories about Man City and their Champions League failings, here are just a few.
Lack of Experience
The Champions League is probably the premier club competition in the world. When City first entered it in 2011 they were entering the unknown. It was a tough, sink or swim situation that found City out as novices on the European stage. Or at least that was the perception at the time. I must admit that it doesn’t quite wash with me though. Manchester City got themselves into Europe on merit and had spent a lot of money on route.
Big name players were brought in, players who have played at the very highest level. Players who have won titles, played in World Cups, and played in the Champions League before. Essentially players who had no reason to be daunted by even the biggest of big stages. There were still some who argued that all of this was irrelevant because City were still inexperienced as a unit, they hadn’t played as a team on this big stage.
Still, even if you do believe that was the case in 2011, there can’t be any argument for it being the case now. City have been mainstays in the top four since their first Champions League qualification and should be accustomed to it by now. So I don’t feel as though this is a matter of inexperience.
Overestimating Our Own League
It has been suggested that we simply think too much of ourselves and our football. Just because City win our league we expect no one in Europe to be able to come close to them. But then Chelsea won the Champions League while finishing 5th in the Prem, so no dice. Arsenal, United, Chelsea, they all rarely (if at all) fail to get past the group stage at least. Even Spurs got as far as the quarter final. If you come from the Premier League then you are already used to fierce competition the like of what Europe offers.
Lack of Atmosphere
Paul Scholes was the first to criticise the atmosphere at the Etihad on Tuesday night for City’s draw with Roma. While usually the opinion of a United legend should be taken with a pinch of salt when it comes to City, he does have a point. The crowd were flat on Tuesday night. Well, those that actually turned up anyway. Just 37,509 fans were there for a glamorous Champions League tie with Roma.
Tuesday’s attendance is a legitimate concern for City, that is nearly 8,000 empty seats after all. They sold an impressive 98.5% of their home tickets for league games last season and plans to increase the stadium to a 60,000 all-seater are gathering pace.
So why the paltry attendance? Perhaps City fans don’t value the Champions League? The cost of tickets has also been cited as a reason. Or maybe they have been disillusioned by their teams disappointing performances in the competition? The lack of atmosphere certainly didn’t help matters, but it can’t be solely to blame for the performance.
Either way the atmosphere was fine in 2011 when the Champions League was new and exciting. And City have had just as many disappointing results on the road. So we’re no closer to an answer.
Mentality
Maybe this is a situation for a sports psychologist or Glenn Hoddle’s famed faith healer Eileen Drewery. City might have a mental block that makes them freeze in these games. The league? Domestic cups? No problem. But going into a Champions League game knowing that your side has always underperformed in this competition and this one alone is bound to be on the minds of the players. And it could be a mental block that is handed down to new players as they enter the club, already knowing the struggles that their new side have faced before.
So, here we are, we arrived at the part of the piece where I would normally try and draw a conclusion. Umm, I’ve got nothing. To be fair, if I had the answer to this conundrum then I would probably be earning a little more money than I do. If I do think of an answer to this problem I’ll be sure to get in touch with City’s owners. The solution to their Champions League problem paired with my impeccable Football Manager 2012 record should see me into the managerial hot seat at the Etihad in no time.