Just as we get into the swing of things in the Premier League, we’re hit with the ever-unwelcome international break. With 7 different countries around the world being represented by blues, fans have been tuning into all sorts of international fixtures in order to get our weekly fix of football. I had a look at all 13 Manchester City players who represented their Countries this period, and here’s a run down on how they did:
A slow start in the league didn’t stop Sergio Aguero firing for Argentina this week. Kun put three in the net and made four goals in just 98 minutes of play over the two fixtures against Bolivia and Mexico. In a 7-0 hammering against Bolivia, Aguero ran riot, making up a hat-trick of assists and cleverly lofting the ball over the keeper twice in clinical fashion. (Sergio Aguero goal against Bolivia)
The second fixture for Argentina, which saw both Otamendi and Demichelis feature this time, was set up to be a disappointing result against Mexico – that was until Aguero lead his side to a late two-goal comeback after being subbed on in the 75th minute. After scoring from close range in the 85th minute, Sergio turned provider and played a magnificent, ‘David Silva-esque’ pass for captain Lionel Messi, who then undoubtedly made it 2-2. Yet to play under Pellegrini at City, Nicolas Otamendi was given a full 90 minute run-out in the Argentine defence, whilst Martin Demichelis made a late appearance on the 80th minute.
Moving over to some important Euro 2016 qualifying games and, an inspirational Kevin De Bruyne joined captain of club and country, Vincent Kompany, in leading Belgium to two wins out of two. In a fantastic comeback against Bosnia, ‘KDB’ took control of many set pieces and showcased his crossing talents by grabbing an assist from a wonderful corner; do City finally have a quality corner taker? Showing fans around the world his worthiness of the £54million price tag; De Bruyne picked up the ball from around 25-30 yards out, spun and smashed the ball right past Asmir Begovic and into the bottom right corner.
Despite not getting on the score-sheet in the second game at Cyprus, Sky Sports would still report that new boy Kevin De Bruyne displayed a ‘masterclass’. Studio guest and Stoke assistant manager Mark Bowen, who watched the game that night, was more than impressed with his performance. The link to De Bruyne’s individual highlights and quotes from Bowen can be found HERE:
Questionably August’s Premier League player of the month, David Silva maintained his great form under Del Bosque for Spain. Nowadays, Manchester’s magician looks pivotal to the Spanish national team – playing 90 minutes in both victories against Slovakia and Macedonia. 5 minutes into the first match against Slovakia and ‘Merlin’ produced one of the passes of the week – a delightful chip over the defense and onto the head of scorer Jordi Alba. There was a moment in this game where David picked the ball up on the edge of the box and somehow managed to jinx it pass countless defenders – it was a true piece of wizardry.
Joe Hart, Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph all joined the England team this week in achieving qualification for next years Euros. Sterling, left out of the team as unused substitute in San Marino, played the full 90 at Wembley against Switzerland. Watching the game on Tuesday night, Raheem was pretty much average; showing his usual great movement, combined with skill and pace when on the ball, his performance was dampened with some loose first touches and lack of concentration by giving the ball away a few too many times. However, Raheem did manage to win his side a penalty in the closing minutes, which ultimately set up Wayne Rooney’s 50th, and record-breaking, England goal.
Adding another 2 clean sheets to his tally, Joe Hart enjoyed more time in the nets for England and made his 54th international cap on Tuesday night – surpassing former City keeper, David James’ record. In the 540 minutes Hart has played this season, he is yet to concede a goal for club or country. In fact, the last time Hart did concede in a competitive match was at last season’s away fixture to Swansea.
Fabian Delph was subbed on just under the hour mark in the 6-0 thrashing against San Marino and just 10 minutes later set up Theo Walcott for England’s 4th goal of the night, which impressed his boss Roy Hodgson. His performance that night deservedly earned him a start at Wembley against much tougher opponents, but it wouldn’t be the game he’d have wanted. Just 9 seconds in and what seemed to be another hamstring problem ruled him out the rest of the match and he was subbed off for Ross Barkley. England and City are still waiting for his injury report.
The only other injury concern Pellegrini may have going back into the premier league next weekend may be Bacary Sagna. Automatically qualifying for the Euros, France traveled to Portugal before hosting Serbia during friendlies this week – in which the Man City right-back made appearances in both games. After assisting Matuidi’s first goal of the night against Serbia, Sagna was cautionary subbed off at half-time, following an injury he apparently suffered 10 minutes previous. Sagna’s in great form at the moment and it would be a shame if he was to be out of action due to an injury, although there’s a chance he will be available on the weekend considering he did play for 10 minutes with this supposed injury. Also featuring in the friendly match against Serbia was centre-back Eliaquim Mangala.
Elsewhere around the world, left-back Aleksander Kolarov and midfielder Fernandinho made appearances for Serbia and Brazil respectively. Kolarov played the full 90 minutes, keeping a clean sheet, in their only Euro qualifier against Armenia last Friday but was an unused sub in the friendly against France. Fernandinho started in a 1-0 win at Costa Rica and was also subbed on in the 4-1 thrashing against the USA.
The imminent return of Fernando Reges has come at a good time, the Brazilian will be considered to replace Delph on the bench in the coming games. Should Sagna also be out injured, then manager Manuel Pellegrini is prepared to use Nicolas Otamendi as a right-back in place of the Frenchman – also, it’s not that long now until the return of Pablo Zabaleta. All in all, I wouldn’t expect this international break to throw City off their form – if anything, like Pellegrini said, I would expect them to come back stronger with the introduction of Kevin De Bruyne and Nicolas Otamendi. Here’s looking forward to the return of the Premier League.
