City EDS 1 – 0 FC Schalke – Report and Analysis

In the rather unglamorous surroundings of Ewen Fields, Patrick Vieira’s youngsters hinted at the positive future that lies beneath the surface with a decent enough display to brush past FC Schalke 04.

As he made his debut as a manager last season, Vieira drew widespread praise for the way in which guided his side to success whilst playing attractive football. The battle for him now is to replicate that with a much-changed squad. From those who impressed to such an extent during the last campaign, a hefty number had embarked on loan moves, viewing the challenge of featuring in meaningful competitive action a greater lure than playing in front of a thousand fans at Hyde.

Three quarters of the preferred back four had departed: Jason Denayer and Adam Drury travelled north of the border to Celtic and St. Mirren respectively and Greg Leigh made the shorter journey to Crewe. Further forward it was a similar story. Emyr Huws, who spent the second half of the previous campaign aiding Birmingham’s push to avoid relegation, made the temporary switch to Wigan, Marcos Lopes, arguably the star of the side, went abroad to link up with Lille for the season while Devante Cole headed to Barnsley for six months.

Those moves are testament to the excellent work Vieira has done at U21 level, and whilst the departures lead to opportunities for more upcoming players, it does make it tough for the Frenchman to repeat the success he enjoyed last time around.

Nevertheless, what he has instilled in his players, and should stand them in good stead, are many of the qualities that characterise Manuel Pellegrini’s stars in the first team.

In the initial stages against Schalke, as City looked to stamp their authority on the game, there was collective high pressing, led by the three-pronged strikeforce and supported by the eager Jack Byrne and George Glendon in midfield. That intensity and endeavour to regain control high up the pitch was let down somewhat in the opening half hour by sloppy passing, but as City, and Seko Fofana in particular, grew into the game there were pleasing signs for the supporters who made the trip to Hyde.

This is a side, and squad, who are perfectly comfortable on the ball. As with the consistency of the closing down, the composure in possession and desire to play their way out from the back was reminiscent of the first team. Glendon was adept at dropping deep to fill the space between the centre-backs, Mathias Bossaerts performed a blond-haired tribute to Pablo Zabaleta with his willingness to overlap down the right, and despite some scrappy periods, Vieira’s charges always looked to play the ball on the ground and pass their way through their German opponents.

That was how they opened up the visitors for the best chance of the first half. Jose Pozo drifted infield from the right, fed Sinan Bytyqi out wide and he in turn released Ash Smith-Brown. A neat check back in the box from the City man was stopped by a German hand, the referee pointed to the spot and Bytyqi was granted a golden opportunity to grab the first goal. He couldn’t take it, however, as Timon Wellenreuther dived to his right to superbly tip the penalty onto the post.

Jordy Hiwula had previously seen one effort cleared off the line and Bytyqi had fired narrowly wide after a delicious Byrne throughball, but half-time came and went with the scores level. 

It didn’t take too long after the break, though, for the deadlock to be broken. Neat interplay on the right hand side between Pozo and Bossaerts found Hiwula in the box and there was only one outcome from there. After scoring 20 goals last season, the striker opened his account for the season to give City the lead. It was the type of intricate move fans have seen countless times in recent years from the likes of Silva, Zabaleta and Aguero. Promising signs, indeed.

As befitting the friendly status of this encounter, Vieira made a string of changes in the second half. Seko Fofana was one of those replaced after the hour mark, but not before standing out and impressing all with powerful display. He’s physically bigger than most at this level and uses his strength well to shield the ball, but rather than pure brawn, it’s his dribbling ability and boundless energy to get up and down the pitch that catch the eye. The Frenchman was one of the EDS’s best players last season, but Vieira has spoken in the recent past about his need to adopt a better attitude and realise that talent alone does not make a player. Fofana looks to be heeding his manager’s advice. There is a leadership quality about him, a figurehead in the middle who carries his teammates forward and initiates so many of City’s most promising attacks. He is one on whom to keep a close eye.

A combination of a raft of changes from both sides and City’s control of midfield took the sting from proceedings and the game largely petered out without incident. Lawlor made one comfortable save from a rare Schalke attack, but it was City who looked the likelier to double their advantage. They couldn’t quite manage to do so, but Hiwula’s clinically-taken strike was enough for the victory and it sent fans home in the knowledge that the future of the club is in good hands.

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