Remembering City’s first Champions League away win | OneFootball

Tuesday night sees City return to the site of our very first away win in the UEFA Champions League.

We face Villarreal in a 20:00 (UK) kick-off and fans will take with them memories of a trip that set off the great European journey we’ve since been on.

Having drawn with Napoli in our opener and then lost at Bayern Munich, Roberto Mancini’s 2011/12 team earned three points against the side nicknamed the Yellow Submarines due to their striking kits at the Etihad.

An own goal and late, late Sergio Aguero strike brought us back from behind that night after conceding early against Juan Carlos Garrido’s side.

Given we were in our first season at the very top table in European football since 1968/69, it was a major moment in our history.

So there was tempered optimism when City took to the pitch on a balmy Spanish night just two weeks later.

The away fans tucked away high up above the pitch at El Madrigal had toured the length of Spain’s east coast to get to the tiny city, with hotels in Barcelona, Valencia and holiday hotspot Benidorm all utilised.

With a population of just around 50,000, Villarreal is transformed on matchdays and on this occasion, it would be Mancunians aplenty filling the few bars seeking to make use of this influx.

The Blues were riding high, having enjoyed the historic 6-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford just 10 days prior.

But continental competition was a different beast, with a young squad learning about its demands together.

There needn’t have been any worries that night, with Yaya Toure in particular putting in a sparkling performance that saw us dominate our hosts.

Villarreal, who were in the midst of an awful run of form that incredibly saw them relegated from La Liga that season, had no match for the quick thinking of our midfield that night.

The opener came from David Silva’s speed of thought, stepping in to intercept a pass before supplying Yaya, who sent his customary curling effort into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Silva came inches away from a second assist soon after, pulling the ball back just behind Mario Balotelli.

Balotelli then won a penalty for a trip as he sprinted into the box before dusting himself off and sending future Real Madrid and AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez the wrong way.

David Silva had been at his brilliant best in almost every game at the start of that season, but did have to come off when he took a knock to his lower back.

That was the only negative, with Yaya again breezing into the box before giving the goalkeeper the eyes and pointing up to the travelling supporters behind that goal.

Almost 14 years later, that remains the last time the two sides have faced each other.

However, that will all change with this upcoming league phase meeting.

Now officially known as Estadio de la Ceramica, owing to the region’s ceramics industry, City fans returning for this clash may remember those early days on our Champions League journey as soon as they see a flash of Villarreal’s famous yellow.

We’ve since gone on to lift the trophy and have played in the competition in every campaign since that night, so while it’s all change, there will be plenty to reflect upon too.

Pep Guardiola faced Villarreal on eight occasions as Barcelona manager, beating them five times and drawing the other games.

Meanwhile, Rodri will have fond memories of his own having started his professional career there.