Facing acid test: Man City have no margin for errors against CSKA

Manchester City's Vincent Kompany (top) challenges AS Roma's Francesco Totti during their Champions League soccer match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England September 30, 2014. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

Everyone at Manchester City is flying high after the 1-0 derby win over Manchester United at the weekend but they could all come crashing back to earth after today’s meeting with CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

The English top-flight champions, with striker Sergio Aguero in outstanding form, should in theory be too strong for their Russian counterparts at the Etihad Stadium, a year to the day since City won the corresponding fixture 5-2.

The omens are on the side of the home team too. CSKA have never won in England in five appearances while Aguero has scored seven goals against Russian clubs in four outings for City and previous club Atletico Madrid.

However, City’s performances in Europe this season have produced two draws and a defeat from three Group E matches and they are now battling to stay in the competition.

The second of those draws came in Moscow two weeks ago when they let a 2-0 lead slip in the closing stages, allowing CSKA to recover for a 2-2 draw, but they have no margin for errors now.

Bayern Munich lead the way with nine points followed by AS Roma on four, City on two and CSKA on one. Anything less than a home win will put a huge dent in the home team’s hopes of advancing to the last 16.

A CSKA victory would put the Russians back in the hunt if Bayern, who handed City a lifeline when they thrashed Roma 7-1 two weeks ago, beat the Italian outfit again on Wednesday.

Despite a surprise recent defeat by West Ham United, City are third in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Chelsea, and their form domestically is far superior to their results in Europe.

Midfielders David Silva and Frank Lampard are sidelined against CSKA through injury while Aleksandar Kolarov is a doubt after being hurt in the warm-up against United on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are making short work of the Champions League group stage, the German giants aware that a home victory over Roma on Wednesday will advance them to the knockout round with two games to spare.

The Bavarians, who recorded their biggest away win in the competition when they crushed Roma 7-1 in the Italian capital last month, are in scintillating form and top Group E on a maximum nine points from three games.

The German champions have won 12 of 15 games in the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League this season, drawing the other three matches to remain unbeaten in all competitions.

They received a further boost to their confidence on Saturday when they came from a goal down to edge past fellow Champions League club and main domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund 2-1.

More pleasing for Bayern coach Pep Guardiola was the performances of Arjen Robben, back from a minor knock, and fellow winger Franck Ribery, who is gradually returning to his best form after a long injury break. -Reuters