Manchester City 2-1 Hoffenheim: 5 Talking Points

#1 City get the win but short of their best

Guardiola still needs to iron out a few flaws

City edged out Hoffenheim by the odd goal in three at the Etihad on Wednesday night. The home side deserved the win after creating several chances in the second half. However, those watching the game felt that City had another unused gear to their play.

Guardiola’s men were uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal. Sane, Sterling and Bernardo Silva were all guilty of missing gilt-edged chances. On one occasion, the aforementioned trio found the penalty box to themselves yet contrived to not convert their opportunity. Through the course of this campaign, City have been anything but profligate in front of goal. With the knock-out stages being their next European assignment, the City faithful would hope that they can rediscover their shooting boots quickly.

While their wastefulness is bound to create a furrowed brow or two, it was their susceptibility to the counter attack that raised many more eyebrows.

With Fernandinho not on the pitch, City looked hopelessly exposed on the break. On a number of occasions, Hoffenheim players swarmed forward without any resistance from the City midfield. The German side couldn’t punish City but as the Round of 16 approaches, the latter surely need to seek a remedy.

Games in the knock-out phases are often decided by small margins. Today, City just had too much in the tank for Hoffenheim but they might not be so lucky against the likes of Juventus, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona.

Though they emerged from a tricky group as toppers, there is still a bit of work Pep needs to do to create his Champions League winning team.