Since losing two Premier league games on the trot to West Ham and Tottenham a couple of weeks back, City were on the bounce-back. An important win at Monchengladbach during the week followed by a 6-1 trouncing against Newcastle certainly lifted spirits around the City camp and we were on a roll (sort of). That was, until, we were hit with another untimely International break. But, anyway, here’s everything from the good, the bad and the ugly that happened during your Premier League week off.
The Good
Firstly, let’s start off with the good. In England, where Roy Hodgson’s men were 2 wins from being only the 6th team in history to complete a Euro qualifier group with a 100% record – Joe Hart and Sterling the players who represented City for the ‘Three Lions’ this week.
Hart earned another international clean sheet on his 55th England cap against Estonia on Friday night. I say earned, but it was a very quiet game for England’s number 1 since the visitors posed no real threat to Hart’s goal. This clean sheet rounded off Hart’s Euro qualifiers which saw him concede only three goals in the nine games he featured in.
However, a much more lively night for Raheem Sterling as the youngster had an industrious time on the left flank. Always demanding the ball from his teammates, Sterling found plenty of joy from his opposing Estonian right-back for a full 90 minutes. This was highlighted when he nearly capped off an impressive night with a stunning solo goal in the 77th minute – a 1-2 with Barkley on the half way mark followed by a mazy run cutting in from the left gave Sterling the space to curl one just wide of the post.
Although, the 20 year-old didn’t have to wait much longer after this to double his international tally as he scored just 10 minutes later, sliding in Jamie Vardy’s across-the-box ball at the back post. Days later, both Raheem and Hart would be rested in the game England made it a perfect ten for their European qualifiers.
Onto a very eventful and positive week in Belgium for Marc Wilmot’s side now, who seen his side climb to the top of the FIFA world rankings on Tuesday night courtesy of the surprise defeats Germany and Argentina suffered.
Without the injured Vincent Kompany and with Jason Denayer named on the bench, Kevin was the sole City representative in the Belgian XI during their first match but he made his presence felt throughout this crucial qualifier. After Nainggolan put Belgium 1-0 up, Kevin was knocking on the door again and again, and it was only a matter of time before the ‘ginger Pele’ found the net; After Hazard was fouled 25 yards from goal, Kevin took responsibility and delivered a stunning free-kick which he brought up and down over the wall and into the goal via the inside of the near post.
With their ticket to France already booked, Belgium fielded a strong team for their Tuesday night fixture against Israel, which included Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, in hopes to reach the top FIFA ranking. After his previous injury, City fans were dreading the thought of captain Kompany being risked for Belgium this week – but not to worry as the big man survived a 57 minute solid run out.
De Bruyne carried his club form into the qualifiers it seems, who had his covering defenders tying themselves in knots to try and prevent him from getting past them. It was his ball from left that assisted Dries Mertens’ opener shortly after the hour mark. It’s apparent now that De Bruyne scores in almost every single game and Kevin’s all round performance deserved another goal that night, and he finally got on the score-sheet after 78 minutes with a free kick that sailed over the wall and beat the keeper at the near post. It was his 11th goal in 36 international appearances and his third strike in four consecutive international appearances.
The bad
Now, we all know that we haven’t been at all fortunate in regards to player injuries in recent times and there to prove that was the injuries of our most influential players David Silva and Sergio Aguero.
Just a week after his Champions League heroics and record-breaking five-goal haul and Sergio Aguero’s form is forced to a halt after suffering another hamstring injury.
Starting for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Peru, the striker lasted 24 minutes before being stretchered off, holding his hamstring, and replaced by former-blue Carlos Tevez. Argentina boss, Martino, told the press;
“He had been carrying a knock with his club, during the week we took good care of him. He was moving around the pitch well, but unfortunately he felt some discomfort and we are going to lose him. I haven’t spoken to the doctor but I can confirm the injury is not the same as the one he had been carrying with his club”.
24 hours on from the Aguero set-back and Silva limps off just 9 minutes in and is replaced by Manchester United’s Juan Mata. It looks as though he was taken off on his own accord after signalling to the bench that he would be unable to continue after the apparent impact injury he suffered. According to the Spanish publication AS, Silva suffered a strong sprain (Grade II) lateral internal ligament, right ankle and could be forced out for up to 2-3 weeks.
David Silva has been, yet again, incredible this season – leading the assists charts so far, the Spanish magician has been up to his usual tricks and is still proving to be almost ‘unmarkable’. However, we are all accustomed to an annual injury to the play-maker, but, now couldn’t be a worse time I don’t think. Just weeks before the Manchester derby and a crucial Champions League grudge match against Sevilla is not a time to be without your most important players.
The Ugly
From hero to zero, City left back Aleksander Kolarov turned goal-provider, was forced-off injured and then sent off from the bench in a heated second half as Serbia suffered defeat at the hands of Portugal in Belgrade.
Firstly, Kolarov was replaced for Obradovic late in the second-half in what seemed to be a changed forced by injury before Joao Moutinho’s 20-yard strike restored Portugal’s lead. With Serbian players and staff livid that the play wasn’t stopped for a previous foul before the goal, Kolarov from his position on the touchline, led the protests from the bench and was sent off for dissent later on.
The full-back has joined Silva and Aguero on the casualty list after a bruising few days for City players on international duty and is set to miss the Bournemouth game this weekend.
