Last 16 offers cold comfort

Manchester City’s roving reporter writes every week for Chron Sport

SO, Manchester City drew Dynamo Kiev in the last-16 of the Champions League — that’s going to be a tough one.

I was hoping for Benfica or PSV or the like: somewhere a bit closer. But at least they didn’t draw PSG.

It will be absolutely freezing over there in February. I was in Ukraine with City a few seasons ago in the Europa Leagu,e when Roberto Mancini was the manager. It was bitterly cold, and it’s not an ideal journey either. It’s a long way!

But in terms of strength of opposition, City fans won’t be too disappointed. The squad boss Manuel Pellegrini has at his disposal ought to be strong enough to get through over the two legs.

Kiev is a lovely city; it’s the playing conditions the team won’t like.

I never actually played in low temperatures like that; the only real international tournament I experienced was the Anglo-Italian Cup against the likes of Sampdoria and Bologna when I was with Huddersfield Town.

The coldest place I played was probably Sweden, during a pre-season friendly tournament.

City didn’t put in a great performance against Swansea at the weekend, but they took three points in the end and that’s all that counts.

The most pleasing thing for me was seeing Yaya Toure looking back to his best. Some of his surges from midfield were a joy to watch. I love watching him in action when he’s in that kind of mood.

City will need Yaya at his best over Christmas.

A really top game is in prospect at Arsenal on Monday, and there’s a trip to Leicester beckoning too.