Proud of the effort

Everything seemed set for the fairytale City winning and Villarreal holding Napoli.  Indeed City did finish up beating Bayern Munich 2-0 though sadly the score was mirrored in Spain as two second half goals put Napoli through.  Speaking to a few fans I got the impression people knew it was a tough ask but IF we were to go out then at least do it with pride and that's exactly what happened thanks to a lovely strike by David "Merlin" Silva and a coolly finished Yaya Toure goal

It has been a learning experience for Roberto Mancini and the squad one which no doubt they will learn from .  There is little doubt mistakes were made in earlier games but just like City's rise from the ashes no journey is ever smooth.  For me the defensive tinkering did play a big part in the reasons we now are in the last 32 of the Europa League but surely it won't be too long before the Champions League music again blasts out of the Etihad PA system.  That said I can't see any reason why we don't push to win the Europa League.

Ironically all week I'd read United fans goading about us facing "Thursday nights on channel 5" well it appears lady luck wasn't smiling on them either as despite them needing to simply draw they lost and crash out with a worse record than City.  It would appear the players have caught the fan bug of simply believing turning up was enough or were they too busy looking at us as appears to be their life at the moment (yet we are the obsessed ones don't you know)  They are a good side but no where near as strong as they once were there simply isn't the strength in the squad they once had.

City meanwhile can take pride in their first ever Champions League becoming the first English side to win in Villarreal and even reaching the 10 points which if you believe the pundits is good enough to qualify.   Roberto Mancini learnt a lot during his first 6 months and used that too guide City to a record Premier League finish and a first major trophy in 35 years.  No doubt he will have learned much from this Champions League campaign and be eager to guide City further next season.

"Mad Mario" Derby Day star

Unless you've been living under a rock for the last 24 hours it's obvious you will be aware of City thrashing United 6-1 at Old Trafford yesterday.  A results which Sir Alex described as his worst defeat ever as a Manager or a player.

In the build up to the game City fans had to endure most of the pundits and ex pro's predicting a close game but United's "big game experience" seeing them to a victory.  Now to be brutally honest as the game kicked off had you offered me a draw I would have took it.  Much like the FA Cup Semi Final United did start the brighter City soaked up the pressure though Joe Hart was rarely troubled.  And you just knew after all the silly press his firework display from his bathroom generated Mario Balotelli would be involved his delicious pass into the net for the first goal was then followed by him revealing a T-Shirt with the words "WHY ALWAYS ME?"...Pass Mario but you weren't finished there.

 2 minutes into the second half he burst through and was pulled back by Jonny Evans who was rightly sent off by Referee Mark Clattenburg.  15 Minutes later City fans were in dream land when Balotelli tapped in at the far post after brilliant work by Silva and Milner laid it on a plate.  When it was 3-0 Roberto Mancini decided to give Balotelli well earned rest subbing him for Edin Dzeko who would go on to get a brace of goals as well.

Many people were upset by Balotelli's stupid red card against Kiev which killed any hope of City progressing in last seasons Europa League.  That appears to have been a watershed moment as since then Balotelli has turned in stunning performances in a lot of key games including being man of the match in the FA Cup final having already played a key role in the Semi Final against United.  Yes there has been the odd "Mad Mario" moment including the back flick against La Galaxy which caused a lot of grief (honestly I believe he thought he was offside he stopped then span round)

 BUT when it's mattered he has been a key player scoring goals and even celebrating some which I think surprised many of us who saw his run to hug Mancini.  There can be little doubt the man has talent it appears bar some moments of pure madness (like the fireworks or the darts incident)  City do have a player capable of doing anything he cares to try.  City fans have come up with a comical song for their flawed genius which was heard loudly being sang by 3,000 blues at Old Trafford  and has been aired a fair few times at The Etihad Stadium as well as on route to games.  Long may he be a striker and I hope Roberto Mancini continues to get the very best out of Mario.