Manchester City discovered how hard they will have to fight to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase after they were held to a draw by Roma at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Sergio Aguero’s penalty put City ahead in the opening minutes but veteran Francesco Totti set the Serie A runners-up on the way to a fully deserved point when he became the oldest player to score in the Champions League with a clever equaliser before half-time.
At 38 years and three days, he eclipsed Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs and left City still searching for their first win in Group E following their opening defeat by Bayern Munich in Germany.
City will still feel confident of qualification from the group but, with Bayern favourites after two wins, Roma have demonstrated they will pose a serious threat to their aspirations of moving out of this tough section as Manuel Pellegrini’s side still have to visit Italy.
Former Italy attacker Totti may be in the twilight of his marvellous career but he showed a guile and composure that often proved beyond City, who still seem to be searching for a self-belief in this competition that equates to the stature of the players in their squad.