The groans of disapproval that greeted one over-hit pass from
Yaya Toure in the second half summed up the current mood surrounding the
player who was the powerhouse behind Manchester City's Premier League
win last season.
Toure is currently a shadow of the figure whose goals
and influence drove City to the Premier League, and the sooner he
rediscovers his old authority the better.
He was overshadowed in midfield on Tuesday, despite
Roma being without their own two outstanding midfield players in the
injured Kevin Strootman and Daniele De Rossi. Radja Nainggolan and
Miralem Pjanic were both highly impressive and came out on top against
City's midfield.
Toure was bypassed with ease as Roma fashioned
Francesco Totti's wonderfully finished equaliser and there was barely a
hint of the surging runs that have been his trademark. He is struggling
badly.
He is too good a player to be dismissed lightly or prematurely, and
Pellegrini clearly has great faith that Toure's powers will be restored.
For the sake of City's Champions League campaign, not to mention the Premier League, it cannot come soon enough.
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