When Manchester City’s title challenge faltered last season after the New Year, fingers were pointed at manager Roberto Mancini. Why was the Italian so cautious with his tactics? Did he not understand the difference between Serie A and the Premier League? Three defensive midfielders and one striker? Really?
It did not stop Mancini guiding Manchester City to FA Cup glory, their first major trophy in 35 years, but the questions still loomed. With the intense pressure from the club’s owners to deliver instant success, did the former Inter manager have what it takes to land the Premier League crown?
This season, Mancini has gone a long way towards answering his critics. Clearly, lessons were learnt during his first full campaign at the helm as fans were treated to a more free-flowing, stylish Manchester City team from the very start of the 2011/12 season. While Mancini has rarely thrown caution to the wind, he has embraced the need for quality in the final third to supplement a gritty work-rate and disciplined organisation. Though the Champions League adventure ended in a disappointing group stage exit, his approach and tactics for Premier League fixtures have been spot on.
Just look at the difference in the Italian’s approach to facing Manchester United. Back in November 2010, Mancini picked Gareth Barry, Nigel de Jong, James Milner and Yaya Toure as four of his front six (along with Carlos Tevez and David Silva) en route to a dull 0-0 draw that became Exhibit A for the over-cautious case against the Italian, but at Old Trafford in October 2011, he opted for Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero to spearhead the attack, with Silva pulling the strings. The result, of course, was an emphatic 6-1 demolition. Other comprehensive wins, including a 5-1 scoreline at White Hart Lane and a 3-0 victory against Liverpool, have also validated the more attacking mindset.
It is hard to argue with the Citizens’ improvement. Yes, they have been big spenders in the transfer market however, after finishing third last season, tallying 71 points and scoring 72 goals, Mancini’s men are on track to eclipse both marks this campaign, in large part because they no longer rely on Tevez to carry the scoring load burden. They have also already secured more wins than a year ago. For the majority of the season, Manchester City have led from the front, earning relentless praise and playing the most eye-catching football. Mancini has rotated his squad wisely while establishing a spine of Joe Hart, inspirational captain Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Silva, who has had the best season of his career.
That is not to say that he has kept everyone happy, of course. The Tevez saga has been a nightmare from start to finish while Mancini’s relationship with Balotelli has often appeared strained. The Manchester City manager’s brief fallout with Edin Dzeko during a Champions League game against Bayern Munich also seems to have left a mark – the Bosnian has rarely since rediscovered his golden early season form.
But, again, it is hard to argue with the title challenge that the Citizens have put together. With six weeks to go, their fate remains in their hands – just.
And so, ultimately, the games ahead will provide the most conclusive answer yet as to whether Mancini is capable of taking Manchester City to the Promised Land that their owners and fans crave. This is, after all, ‘squeaky bum time’, to borrow a phrase from Sir Alex Ferguson, when managers really earn their salaries, build their reputations and show whether or not they can handle the daily pressure that goes hand-in-hand with the quest for perfection. Improvement is one thing, silverware is another thing entirely.
The recent signs have not been encouraging for Manchester City supporters, with Mancini succumbing to Ferguson’s mind games and allowing his frustrations to take over after the 1-1 draw at Stoke – a game in which, it should be noted, he needed no second invitation to throw strikers onto the pitch in search of a winner. His players had the chance to crank up the pressure on Manchester United, particularly after the morale-boosting victory over Chelsea, but instead two points went astray. Manchester United, who for the second straight year are competing for a title despite some glaring weaknesses, cashed in at home to Fulham to extend their lead.
It is the Citizens’ away form that has let them down this season – and that is the problem for which Mancini must find a solution. Defeats at Chelsea, Sunderland, Everton and Swansea have marred an away record that is in stark contrast to their dominant home form. A trip to the Emirates to face a rejuvenated Arsenal on 8th April now looks daunting, especially with Manchester City desperate to stay within touching distance of Manchester United before the decisive Manchester derby on 30th April. Mancini’s players must steel themselves for critical game after critical game.
Despite a rocky few weeks and a slight hint that the club may be unravelling in the face of the pressure, Manchester City remain firmly in contention, meaning that Mancini still has time to deliver the ultimate statement to his doubters. However, anything less than the Premier League title will only add fuel to the fire surrounding his future at the Etihad Stadium. If Mancini is the man to usher in an era of dominance for the blue half of Manchester, the time has come for him to prove his worth once and for all by bringing home the title.
