1. Manchester City need to play with three central midfielders in Europe
Manuel Pellegrini was fully aware of what was at stake in this home game and he tried to go for an early lead by starting with two strikers. Given that Roma had a second-choice keeper and deputising central defenders, it made a lot of sense in the final-third but the Citizens suffered in midfield.
Pellegrini may have been successful in the Premier League with this system in which he leaves only Fernandinho and Yaya Toure in central midfield then starts with two strikers, but in Europe they get outnumbered, usually by three technically proficient central midfielders.
In this game, Roma dominated the midfield, moved the ball better and stifled their hosts until City introduced Frank Lampard to balance the numbers. In hindsight, the Chilean boss may wish he had started with two holding midfielders and a central attacking midfielder to control the game first.
2. It’s advantage Roma in the qualification race
Roma were actually slightly better than their hosts in general and will possibly feel they could have squeezed more out of the game, but this was a good away point for them.
Bayern Munich are unsurprisingly on six points and unless the Germans suffer a serious dip in form, they should top this group. City and Roma expected this from the start of the group games so their clashes were always going to determine the side that will qualify with the Bavarian giants. There are still four games to play for each side but Roma will be a much happier side than Manchester City at the moment.
3. Pellegrini has to find a way to deal with Toure
Toure was probably the best player for Manchester City last season but he has not been the same this campaign and certainly not in this game. He was not very crisp in possession, he sometimes lost the ball when he tried his powerful runs and the most disappointing aspect was his reluctance to press.
Pellegrini cannot really afford to drop him entirely considering his immense ability but the City boss will have to find a way to reignite the desire that is lacking in his prized midfielder.
4. Totti’s unique abilities will be key to Roma’s success in Europe
Aged 38, Totti understandably cannot run in behind defences as frequently as he used to do a decade ago. But he is leveraging his experience to great effect as he showed in this game. With the pace of Alessandro Florenzi and Gervinho surrounding him in their 4-3-3 attacking formation, Totti tends to drop in between the lines and use his vision to create chances for those players.
Since most sides push their full-backs into the offensive-half when attacking, that gives Roma a unique advantage in that Totti can drop from central defenders marking him tightly then release the wide forwards, who can easily spin in behind full-backs during quick attacks. The Italians are going to face technically superior sides should they qualify and their front three will be key to their success.
5. This was a good game for the veterans
In addition to aforementioned Totti scoring the equaliser, there was plenty of experience on display last night.
Pellegrini must have considered 33-year-old Ashley Cole’s age when starting with speedy Jesus Navas instead of James Milner on the right, but the former Chelsea full-back contained the threats from Navas very well.
Similarly Maicon, aged 33, may have made an error that led to City’s opener but the Brazilian full-back caused a lot of problems going forward.
In central midfield, 34-year-old Seydou Keita also covered a lot of ground and he was part of the central midfield that edged the Citizens in the opening hour. Even Manchester City needed Lampard, aged 36, to turn the control the game and apply real pressure on Roma.
