The next challenge came quickly: AS Roma at the Etihad. It was the second group-stage match of the Champions League. After the thrilling dismantling of Bayern Munich, expectations were higher than ever.
On the evening of the match, the Etihad buzzed with energy. The stands filled early. Fans wore blue scarves and sang loud, their chants echoing through the stadium long before kickoff.
Martin Tyler's voice floated over the noise.
"Manchester City unbeaten so far in all competitions. Tonight, they face a strong Roma side. Confidence is flowing here, Alan."
Alan Smith, seated beside him, added, "And it'll be fascinating to see how City spread the workload. Pellegrini has spoken about it. He wants more from the supporting players, not just Adriano."
City lined up strong. Joe Hart was in goal. Kompany and Hummels formed the backbone of the defense. Kolarov and Zabaleta took the fullback roles, pushing high whenever possible.
In midfield, Silva and De Bruyne were tasked with controlling the game. Hazard and Salah provided the width. Adriano, a bit deeper tonight, played behind Harry Kane, who started up front as the main striker.
Roma came into the game with a plan. They dropped into a compact 4-4-1-1 formation, clogging the center of the pitch, trying to limit City's intricate passing. Their goal was clear: survive the first 20 minutes and frustrate the home crowd.
But City were ready.
From the opening whistle, they controlled the ball, probing Roma's shape. Every pass had purpose. Every run was timed to test the Italian side's discipline.
In the 19th minute, after a spell of patient possession, Silva found a pocket of space. He looked up and slipped a ball perfectly between two defenders. Adriano was there. His first touch was velvet, killing the ball instantly. A slight shift onto his right foot gave him just enough room to glance up and spot the opening.
He passed the ball neatly between the goalkeeper and the near post.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL! ADRIANO! Manchester City take the lead!"
The Etihad erupted. Adriano didn't sprint away. Instead, he jogged toward the corner flag, bowing slightly to the fans, before being swarmed by his teammates.
Martin Tyler spoke over the noise.
"Another moment of magic from Adriano. The composure, the touch—it's becoming routine."
Alan Smith added, "And that's exactly what City needed. Break Roma's plan early."
Roma weren't rattled, though. Ten minutes later, City's midfield got sloppy. A loose pass from Kolarov was intercepted. Pjanic pounced, threading a quick ball through to Iturbe, who burst into the box. Joe Hart rushed out, but Iturbe kept his cool, sliding the ball past him into the net.
Martin Tyler didn't hesitate.
"That's a reminder—this Roma side can punish mistakes. One lapse, one goal."
The away section, packed with Roma fans, roared to life, waving their flags and scarves.
City players regrouped quickly. Kompany clapped his hands, gathering the team in a small huddle. Pellegrini stood calmly on the touchline, urging his players to keep to the plan.
And they responded.
The ball moved faster now. De Bruyne and Silva rotated positions constantly, dragging Roma's midfielders out of shape. Hazard and Salah stayed wide, stretching the backline.
In the 37th minute, after a clever triangle between Kolarov, Silva, and Hazard, the Belgian winger received the ball near the edge of the box. With a flick of his left foot, Hazard directed it into Adriano's path.
Adriano, seeing a defender rushing toward him, sold him a dummy—a step over and a feint to the right—before cutting left instead. He created half a yard of space and curled a shot toward the far top corner.
Time seemed to slow.
The ball flew past the goalkeeper's outstretched hand and smashed into the net.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "ADRIANO AGAIN! Manchester City back in front!"
This time, Adriano didn't point to himself. He turned and pointed toward Hazard and De Bruyne, signaling the teamwork that created the chance. Silva joined them quickly, ruffling Adriano's hair with a big smile.
Martin Tyler sounded impressed.
"That's why he's so dangerous, Alan. Not just the finishing, but the movement before it."
Alan Smith nodded. "And City's movement off the ball is much better tonight. They've learned from QPR. This is how you support your star players."
Roma, stunned by the second goal, struggled to regain their composure. Their shape became looser. Their pressing less aggressive. City took full control.
The second half began with City dominating possession even more. Hummels and Kompany calmly recycled the ball at the back, while De Bruyne orchestrated from deep.
Kane, leading the line, ran tirelessly. He pulled Roma's center-backs wide, created lanes for Hazard and Salah to exploit.
In the 65th minute, Kane almost made it three. A whipped cross from Zabaleta found Kane at the back post, but his header flew just over the bar.
On the sideline, Pellegrini applauded. Even missed chances were good signs.
Roma, desperate, committed more players forward, leaving themselves exposed at the back.
In the 88th minute, City pounced again.
De Bruyne, who had been probing all game, finally found the killer pass. From deep, he split Roma's tired defense with a perfectly timed through ball. Kane, alert and determined, raced onto it.
One touch to control. One shot across goal. The ball nestled into the bottom corner.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "KANE! THREE–ONE MANCHESTER CITY!"
The Etihad roared again. Players swarmed Kane, while De Bruyne smiled and jogged back to his own half, satisfied.
Martin Tyler summed it up.
"City's patience and persistence paying off. And Harry Kane with a striker's finish to seal it."
Alan Smith added, "And look how much that goal means to him. That's a young man growing into his role here."
The final few minutes passed without drama. Roma had been broken. City toyed with possession, the fans chanting "Olé" with every completed pass.
When the final whistle blew, the whole stadium stood and applauded. Another European night. Another statement to the rest of Europe: Manchester City were a team to fear.
On the pitch, players hugged and clapped each other's backs. Adriano and Kane shared a brief handshake and a laugh. Silva and Hazard jogged toward the tunnel, deep in conversation. Hummels and Kompany exchanged a solid, respectful nod.
Pellegrini smiled, satisfied. This was the performance he had been asking for. Not just brilliance from Adriano, but strength and fluidity from the entire team.
In the dressing room, the mood was buoyant. Loud music played. Shirts were swapped for training tops. Ice packs strapped to legs.
Kane sat between Silva and De Bruyne, bouncing a ball lightly off the wall.
"Next time, Kev," he grinned at De Bruyne, "just make the pass a little slower. Give me a chance to breathe!"
De Bruyne laughed. "You're a machine, mate. No excuses."
Across the room, Hazard and Salah argued playfully about who had the better assist.
"I set up the second!" Hazard protested.
"But I dragged the defenders for your pass!" Salah countered, laughing.
Adriano leaned back in his seat, smiling at the scene.
This was the City he wanted to fight for. A team, not just a collection of stars. A group that played for each other.
As he unlaced his boots, Kompany clapped loudly, drawing attention.
"Enjoy this," he said, voice carrying through the room. "But remember, this is just group stage. Nothing is won yet."
Heads nodded around the room. The celebrations eased, replaced by a quiet focus.
Outside, the fans poured out into the night, singing songs of City and dreaming of more European nights like this.
Inside, the players rested, recovered, and prepared.
Because they all knew: bigger battles were still to come.
***
Next up for Manchester City was a return to Premier League action. Swansea City were the visitors to the Etihad. The mood around the club was buoyant after the strong showing against Roma, but Pellegrini knew better than anyone the dangers of complacency.
At the final training session before the match, he made a decision that raised a few eyebrows—Adriano would be rested. It wasn't injury. It wasn't form. It was preservation. The long season ahead meant smart management of key players was essential.
In the dressing room before kickoff, Pellegrini spoke quietly but firmly.
"We trust every one of you. No mistakes. No excuses. Play with focus."
De Bruyne was handed the free-roaming role, operating behind Sergio Aguero, who started as the lone striker. Hazard and Salah flanked them. Silva and Fernandinho formed the midfield base, while the back four stayed solid with Kompany, Hummels, Zabaleta, and Kolarov.
The atmosphere at the Etihad was lively but not frantic. Fans trusted this team now. Even with Adriano on the bench, there was belief.
As the teams emerged, Martin Tyler set the tone.
"Manchester City back on Premier League duty. They face a well-organized Swansea side today—and the eyes will be on how City cope without their Portuguese talisman."
Alan Smith chimed in, "A different test today. City will need to find creativity from other areas. De Bruyne, Silva... big responsibility on their shoulders."
From the kickoff, it was clear that Swansea had come to frustrate. They dropped into a deep, narrow defensive block, allowing City the ball but leaving no spaces between the lines.
City, for their part, controlled possession with patience. De Bruyne drifted everywhere—left, right, center—trying to drag defenders out of position. Silva, with his usual calmness, kept the ball ticking over.
But penetrating Swansea's defense proved tricky. Every pass into the final third was met by a wall of white shirts. Every cross was cleared. Every attempted dribble crowded out.
In the 29th minute, a corner offered an opportunity. Silva placed the ball carefully, giving a signal to the near post.
He whipped in a perfect delivery.
Mats Hummels, timing his run perfectly, leapt above his marker and powered a header into the top corner.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "HUMMELS! 1-0! Manchester City take the lead!"
The Etihad exploded into cheers. Hummels sprinted back toward midfield, pointing at Silva in appreciation. Silva responded with a small smile and a raised thumb.
Martin Tyler was impressed.
"A thumping header from Hummels. He's been immense at the back for City—but he reminds us here he's a threat at the other end too."
Alan Smith added, "That's what you need on days like this. Set pieces can make all the difference against stubborn sides."
City tried to build on their lead immediately. Hazard and Salah pushed higher. Aguero buzzed around the penalty area, looking for any gaps.
But Swansea stayed calm. They absorbed the pressure and waited for their moment.
It came just before halftime.
A rare misplaced pass from Fernandinho was intercepted. Swansea broke with lightning speed. Gylfi Sigurdsson received the ball just outside the area, feinted past Kolarov, and slotted a calm finish into the bottom corner.
Announcer: Swansea levels the game!
Martin Tyler called it instantly.
"Against the run of play—and Swansea are level!"
The small pocket of away fans erupted in noise. On the City bench, Adriano stood up, clapping encouragement toward his teammates.
As the players trudged back toward the center circle, Kompany called an impromptu meeting, pulling everyone into a quick huddle. His message was clear: calm heads.
The halftime whistle came with the scoreline 1–1. Pellegrini remained composed. In the dressing room, he didn't shout. Instead, he reminded his players of the plan.
"Stay patient. Trust the movement. Trust the ball. It will come."
The second half began with renewed urgency. City pinned Swansea back immediately, moving the ball with more tempo. Hazard found a few glimpses of space on the left. Salah darted into dangerous areas on the right.
Yet the breakthrough remained elusive.
De Bruyne, playing deeper now to influence the tempo, took control. His passes were sharp, always looking forward. Silva danced between defenders, looking for gaps.
In the 68th minute, after a long spell of pressure, the ball broke to De Bruyne at the edge of the box. He controlled it neatly, shuffled to his left to create half a yard, and bent a low shot through a crowd of players.
The ball sneaked into the bottom corner.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "DE BRUYNE! Manchester City back in front!"
The stadium erupted again. De Bruyne didn't celebrate wildly. He pumped a fist, then turned straight back toward his teammates, urging focus.
Martin Tyler's voice was full of admiration.
"Cool as you like from Kevin De Bruyne. A moment of quality when City needed it most."
Alan Smith added, "They've been patient, and now they've got their reward. De Bruyne has been everywhere today."
After the goal, City didn't sit back. They kept the ball, kept Swansea pinned deep, and suffocated any hope of another counter-attack.
Kompany and Hummels dominated everything in the air. Zabaleta flew into tackles. Fernandinho swept up loose balls tirelessly.
In the final minutes, Pellegrini brought on young midfielder Zuculini, giving the player some valuable minutes. Adriano stayed on the bench, smiling and chatting with Hazard, relaxed.
The final whistle blew with City victorious, 2–1.
There was no wild celebration. Just solid handshakes, high-fives, and a quiet satisfaction.
Martin Tyler summed it up.
"A professional, disciplined win from Manchester City. Without their star man, they still found a way."
Alan Smith nodded. "That'll please Pellegrini enormously. You can't win a title relying on one player. This was a team performance."
In the tunnel after the match, players joked and teased each other.
Salah laughed with Aguero, pretending to replay Aguero's miss in the first half.
"Next time, just close your eyes and pray!" Salah joked, mimicking a wild shot.
Aguero shoved him lightly, grinning.
"I save my goals for bigger games," he said, winking.
In the dressing room, Hummels received playful applause from the squad for his goal.
"You've scored more than me this month," Kompany joked, tossing a towel toward him.
Adriano clapped the loudest, standing up and giving Hummels a mock bow.
"Teach me your heading skills , maestro," he said, deadpan, drawing laughter.
Pellegrini entered the room, smiling.
"Good. Very good," he said simply. "But remember, every game matters. Every point counts."
Players nodded. They knew the drill. No getting carried away.
City were still top of the Premier League. Unbeaten in Europe. But bigger challenges loomed on the horizon.
As the players left the stadium that night, some with family, some with headphones in, walking into the cold Manchester air, the feeling was clear.
This was a team that could go the distance.
As long as they kept trusting each other.
***
After the hard-fought win against Swansea, Manchester City barely had time to breathe before they were back on the road again—this time heading east, deep into Russia, for their next Champions League fixture against CSKA Moskva.
The flight was long and quiet. The players rested, wrapped up in their jackets and tracksuits, headphones in, watching movies or quietly chatting. There was a seriousness about them now.
The weather in Moscow was harsh, cold enough that the breath from their mouths was visible even during warmups. Nights like these tested everything: focus, stamina, mentality.
In the final team meeting at the hotel, Pellegrini reminded them:
"Keep the ball. Be smart. And be patient. On nights like this, discipline wins matches."
Adriano sat forward in his chair, locked in, absorbing every word.
The lineup was strong again. Hart in goal. Kompany and Hummels in central defense. Kolarov and Zabaleta wide. De Bruyne and Silva anchoring midfield,. Hazard on the left. Salah on the right. Adriano operating between the lines, just behind Harry Kane, who led the line.
As they walked out onto the pitch, the cold hit them hard, slicing through their layers. Loftus Road a week ago had been tight and physical—but this was different. This was survival.
Martin Tyler's voice set the scene back home.
"Manchester City stepping into the unknown a little here, Alan. The temperatures freezing, the surface slick—and an aggressive CSKA side waiting for them."
Alan Smith responded, "You expect the unexpected on nights like this. One mistake, one lapse, and it can turn the game. Big night for City's leaders."
The match kicked off, and immediately CSKA came out flying. Their press was relentless, forcing City backward, snapping into challenges, using the energy from their home crowd to lift their tempo.
City struggled to build any rhythm early on. Simple passes were misplaced. Players slipped on the frozen patches of turf. Pellegrini stood on the sideline, arms folded, watching closely.
But City were patient. They absorbed the early pressure without panicking. Kompany barked orders at the back, pushing the defensive line higher. Fernandinho shielded the defense, mopping up loose balls.
Then, in the 22nd minute, City found their opening.
Swansea had frustrated them last weekend with their deep block, but CSKA left gaps when they attacked. Silva pounced on a loose touch in midfield and fed Salah, who immediately turned and sprinted into space.
Salah raced down the right, one touch ahead of his marker. Adriano spotted the run and peeled into the channel. Salah timed his pass perfectly, sliding it through two defenders.
Adriano took it in stride, cutting inside smoothly onto his left foot. He dropped his shoulder, wrong-footing the sliding defender, and then picked his spot—low and hard past the outstretched keeper.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "ADRIANO! 1-0! MANCHESTER CITY STRIKE FIRST!"
The small pocket of traveling City fans erupted in cheers, bundled in scarves and jackets. Adriano pointed at Salah, thanking him, before calmly jogging back to his half.
Martin Tyler said,
"Once again, it's the 18 year old superstar with the cool head and the killer instinct."
Alan Smith added,
"That's why he's world class. One chance, one goal. He's made that look easy, but it's anything but in these conditions."
The goal didn't quiet CSKA though. They responded, pushing even harder. Their midfielders flew into tackles, their wingers drove at Zabaleta and Kolarov at every opportunity. City were forced to defend deep.
Just before halftime, CSKA won a dangerous free-kick wide on the right.
The delivery was whipped in viciously, right into the corridor of uncertainty. Hart came for it, but bodies crowded his path. The ball bounced untouched through the mass of players and nestled into the far corner.
Announcer: Cska Moskva levels the game! 1-1!
Martin Tyler called it sharply.
"CSKA are LEVEL! A wicked ball in, nobody got a touch, and it's found its way into the net."
Alan Smith commented,
"That's frustrating for City. All that hard work undone by a set piece. They'll need to regroup now."
At halftime, the mood in the dressing room was calm. Pellegrini kept his voice low.
"Trust the plan. Stay compact. Move the ball faster. You'll get your chances." The players nodded and walked out to the field.
City came out after the break looking sharper. De Bruyne began to find more space between the lines. Silva ghosted into pockets. Hazard saw more of the ball on the left.
Adriano, even without scoring again yet, was crucial. His movement unsettled CSKA's backline constantly, dragging defenders out of position and opening space for his teammates.
The breakthrough came in the 71st minute.
Hummels broke up an attack and quickly fed Silva. Silva zipped a pass to De Bruyne, who was drifting into the right channel. De Bruyne looked up once and clipped a perfect ball over the defense.
Adriano was already on the move.
He timed his run perfectly, controlled the ball dead with his first touch, spun quickly to his left, and smashed a half-volley past the helpless keeper before the defenders could recover.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "ADRIANO AGAIN! CITY LEAD TWO–ONE!"
The away section exploded with noise again. Adriano turned toward them, beating his chest once, then raising two fingers to signal his brace. His teammates jumped and piled on top of him, celebrating .
Martin Tyler's voice was electric.
"Another World class display from Adriano! What a first touch—and what a finish!"
Alan Smith said,
"Just stunning. It's one thing to read the ball and make the run. It's another to kill it stone dead like that, spin, and finish in one motion. That's elite."
After taking the lead again, City managed the game brilliantly.
Hart barked orders, ensuring the backline stayed organized. Kompany and Hummels cleared everything that came their way. Silva and De Bruyne rotated possession smartly, slowing the tempo when needed.
Pellegrini made smart substitutions in the final ten minutes. Fernandinho came on to shore up the midfield. He replaced Silva to add more safety for defending set pieces.
In the final moments, CSKA threw everything forward. Their keeper even came up for a corner. But City were solid. Hart punched the ball clear. Zabaleta charged out to block a shot bravely.
The final whistle blew—and City had secured an important 2–1 win away from home.
On the pitch, the players hugged each other, clapping for the traveling fans.
Pellegrini came onto the field briefly to shake hands with every player. His smile was small but satisfied.
In the post-match interview, Adriano kept it simple.
"Itwas a Team effort. Everyone fought tonight. We stay humble and keep working."
Martin Tyler signed off the broadcast.
"Another big European night for Manchester City. And once again, Adriano delivers. Two goals. Three points. Job done in Russia."
The players flew back to Manchester tired but happy. The cold and the long journey were forgotten.
Back home, the headlines wrote themselves:
"Adriano Freezes Out CSKA!"
"Manchester City's Winter Warrior Strikes Again!"
Momentum was building. Confidence was growing.
And Manchester City were starting to believe that this could be a special season.
***
After their hard-earned Champions League victory in Russia, Manchester City had no time to rest on their achievements. The fixtures were relentless. Next up was the Capital One Cup, and Pellegrini, always a pragmatic manager, saw it as the perfect opportunity to rotate the squad without losing momentum.
Sheffield Wednesday were the visitors to the Etihad Stadium. A Championship side, organized and spirited, but one that Pellegrini expected City's depth to handle professionally.
At the pre-match press conference, Pellegrini was clear:
"We respect Sheffield Wednesday. But this is also a chance for players who train hard every day to show their quality."
Adriano, who had played almost every important minute so far, was given a full rest again. Although he was present at the stadium in Manchester City's viewing area.
Pellegrini fielded a heavily rotated team: Willy Caballero in goal; Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov as fullbacks; Mangala and Hummels at center-back. In midfield, Casemiro partnered Toure, with De Bruyne ahead of them. The front three featured Salah on the right, Silva drifting from the left, and Aguero through the center.
The stadium, though not completely full, still buzzed with energy. The fans understood it was a different kind of night—an opportunity to see City's squad depth in action.
Martin Tyler set the scene as the teams walked out.
"Manchester City, unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, and tonight it's the backup squad players' turn to step into the spotlight."
Alan Smith added,
"And what a squad it is. Even without Adriano, Hazard, Kompany, and Hart tonight, there's enough quality here to beat most teams."
The match started at a brisk pace. Sheffield Wednesday were clearly up for the fight, pressing high and snapping into early tackles, trying to unsettle City's rhythm.
For the first fifteen minutes, City struggled to carve out clear chances. Their passing was a little sloppy, the movement a little off. Pellegrini stood calmly on the touchline, hands in his pockets, trusting that the team would find their rhythm.
And they did.
In the 18th minute, De Bruyne found a pocket of space just outside the box. He slid a delicate ball into Silva, who danced past one defender with a clever feint before firing low into the bottom corner.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "DAVID SILVA! 1
-0. Manchester City take the lead!"
Silva simply smiled as he jogged back, high-fiving De Bruyne along the way.
Martin Tyler's voice rose.
"Silva, the magician, weaving his spells again for Manchester City!"
Alan Smith noted,
"Once City get that first goal, they tend to open teams up. This could be a long night for Sheffield Wednesday now."
City started to connect. The second goal came just six minutes later.
Casemiro, breaking up a rare Wednesday attack, quickly released Salah on the right wing. Salah burned past his marker, drove into the box, and lashed a shot across the keeper into the far corner.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "MOHAMED SALAH! Two–nil to City!"
The Egyptian winger smiled broadly as he was mobbed by teammates.
Sheffield Wednesday tried to respond, pushing more players forward. But that only left them more exposed at the back.
In the 35th minute, De Bruyne showed his class again. Picking up the ball 30 yards from goal, he ghosted past two midfielders, exchanged a quick one-two with Aguero, and slotted coolly into the corner.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "DE BRUYNE! THREE–NIL for City!"
Adriano, watching from the stands, stood and clapped enthusiastically, shaking his head with a smile. Even without him, City's attack was ruthless.
Martin Tyler remarked,
"Kevin De Bruyne—cool as you like. He's taken over the creative burden tonight."
Alan Smith added,
"And City's players know their roles so well. No Adriano, no problem."
The second half brought more of the same.
Within five minutes of the restart, Aguero got on the scoresheet. Kolarov whipped in a dangerous cross from the left, and Aguero rose between two defenders to nod it past the helpless goalkeeper.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "AGUERO! FOUR–NIL MANCHESTER CITY!"
The floodgates were truly open now. Sheffield Wednesday looked exhausted, chasing shadows.
City's fifth came in the 61st minute. Milner, industrious as ever, stole the ball high up the pitch, threaded a pass into Silva, who unselfishly squared for Aguero to tap in his second.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "AGUERO AGAIN! FIVE–NIL!"
Pellegrini used the chance to give minutes to some younger players, bringing on Bersant Celina and a teenage Tosin Adarabioyo.
But City weren't finished.
In the 74th minute, Casemiro capped a dominant personal display by blasting a half-volley into the net from the edge of the box after a corner was only half-cleared.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "CASEMIRO! SIX–NIL!"
The fans, already singing and enjoying the night, roared with laughter and chants of "One more!" every time City completed a pass.
In the 82nd minute, the final goal arrived.
Salah once again tormented the Wednesday defense, cutting inside and threading a clever ball through to De Bruyne. Rather than shooting, De Bruyne backheeled it into Silva's path. Silva kept his composure, rounded the keeper, and slotted home for his second of the night.
GOAL ANNOUNCER: "SILVA SEALS IT! SEVEN–NIL MANCHESTER CITY!"
Martin Tyler summed it up as the players walked back for the final time.
"An exhibition from Manchester City. Ruthless, relentless—and a reminder that this squad is built not just to compete, but to win everything."
Alan Smith agreed.
"And resting Adriano tonight looks smarter with every passing week. City are keeping their main man fresh, and yet performances like this show they can still blow teams away."
The final whistle came mercifully for Sheffield Wednesday.
City's players clapped the fans, who gave them a standing ovation. Adriano came down from the viewing area to joinhis teammates and congratulate them.
In the dressing room, the mood was buoyant.
Salah joked, throwing a towel at De Bruyne.
"Maybe I should rest more often. You're trying to steal my goals now!"
Aguero laughed, throwing an arm around Silva.
"Two goals, two assists—you're supposed to be the creator, not the poacher!"
De Bruyne, smiling, said simply,
"We're all poachers tonight."
Pellegrini entered the room, a small smile on his face.
"Enjoy it," he said. "Then back to work tomorrow."
The message was clear: no matter how easy it looked, nothing would be taken for granted.
City were flying—and with the big guns rested and ready, the serious battles of the season were just beginning.
***
Current Stats of Adriano
Premier League
Matches: 11
Goals: 12
Assists: 10
Current top scorer of Premier League and top Assists list.
Champions League
Matches: 3
Goals: 9
Assists: 1
Current top scorer.