I might be being a bit harsh on City here, they are playing high quality oppo after all, but on all the occasions I have watched them over the last year or so it's struck me that they really are a team that is dependent on a handful of individuals (as an Arsenal supporter I obviously can't really bag on them too much for this but...). Apart from Yaya, Aguero and Silva their entire team is basically made up of players that are serviceable but do not really have any x-factor, if you'll pardon that rather trite expression. I like Zabaleta a lot too tbf, but Nasri is just the ultimate Cinderella player, Clichy is absolutely terrible (anyone just see that cross he just attempted?), Kompany is seriously suspect, Dzeko is nothing special, Fernando is crap, everyone knows what Milner is about etc... Every time I watch them their tactics basically seem to be either 1) give the ball to Aguero/Yaya and they will do something good; or 2) give the ball to Silva and he will do something amazing/give it to Aguero/Yaya.
The narrative that is trotted out frequently is that City don't have the CL experience to get the job done at this level, but I just don't buy it. To me it seems a more plausible explanation is that their team is primarily made up of players who aren't crap, but are pretty middle of the road for the most part, and just aren't good enough to get it done against top oppo. Arsenal in disguise, in other words.
Always rely on Arsenal for a laugh in Europe.
