Episode Summary
Hosts
Graham Dunn, Jamie Rooney, Matt Leigh
Matt Leigh
Guest(s)
Release Date
8 June 2023
Duration
77 min
In this episode of By Far The Greatest Team, hosts Graham Dunn and Jamie Rooney are joined by football fan Mat tLeigh to revisit one of the most unforgettable seasons in English football history — Manchester City’s 2011–2012 Premier League triumph under Roberto Mancini. Recorded as part of a double header alongside José Mourinho’s Inter Milan 2009–2010, this discussion focuses on the drama, strategy, and significance of City’s first league title in 44 years.
The conversation opens with the context of Manchester City’s rebirth — from mid-table instability to an era transformed by Sheikh Mansour’s takeover and Mancini’s discipline. The hosts dissect the pressure-cooker title race with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United, the cultural shift at the Etihad, and the tactical balance Mancini struck between attacking flair and defensive organisation.
Then comes “93:20” — the most iconic moment in Premier League history. City, trailing QPR on the final day, needed two goals in stoppage time. Edin Džeko’s equaliser set the stage for Sergio Agüero’s immortal winner, securing the title on goal difference in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
Beyond the euphoria, the episode reflects on Mancini’s legacy: restoring belief, instilling professionalism, and setting the blueprint for City’s modern dominance. It also examines how figures like Yaya Touré, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, and Joe Hart became symbols of the club’s new identity — a perfect storm of leadership, quality, and destiny.
Takeaways
The 2011–12 season marked the birth of modern Manchester City’s greatness.
Roberto Mancini combined Italian discipline with Premier League aggression.
Agüero’s 93:20 goal remains the single most iconic moment in league history.
The victory reshaped City’s identity — from underdogs to elite contenders.
It was a triumph of belief, resilience, and drama unmatched in the Premier League era.
Manchester City 2011–12: The 93:20 Champions
The 2011–12 season changed everything for Manchester City. After decades in the shadows of their cross-town rivals, City — under the meticulous guidance of Roberto Mancini — delivered one of the most dramatic title wins in football history.
Built on defensive discipline, technical quality, and a belief forged through setbacks, City’s campaign was defined by consistency and chaos in equal measure. They started the season in devastating form — winning 6–1 at Old Trafford to send shockwaves through English football — but stumbles in the spring left their title hopes hanging by a thread.
It all came down to the final day. Trailing QPR 2–1 deep into stoppage time, City needed a miracle. Edin Džeko equalised from a corner. Then, in the 94th minute, Sergio Agüero collected the ball, skipped past a defender, and smashed home the most famous goal in Premier League history. “Agüerooooo!” echoed around the Etihad — a moment that redefined an era.
This was more than a title win. It was the culmination of a transformation. Mancini’s team — anchored by Vincent Kompany, powered by Yaya Touré, and illuminated by David Silva’s artistry — turned ambition into achievement. Their 4-2-3-1 system mixed Italian discipline with English intensity, producing football that was both controlled and exhilarating.
City’s 44-year wait for a league crown ended in pure cinematic fashion, and with it came the birth of modern Manchester City — a club no longer defined by hope, but by expectation.
This episode of By Far The Greatest Team, paired with José Mourinho’s treble-winning Inter Milan, captures two modern milestones of football greatness — but it was City 2011–12 who delivered the most unforgettable ending of them all.
Main Topics
Iconic Moments
Manchester City’s transformation under Roberto Mancini
The 2011–12 Premier League title race vs Manchester United
Tactical balance: defensive solidity meets attacking expression
Sergio Agüero’s 93:20 goal — the defining Premier League moment
The emotional weight of City’s first title in 44 years
Legacy and evolution: from Mancini to Guardiola’s empire
Agüero’s 93:20 title-winning goal vs QPR
6–1 victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United
Mario Balotelli’s assist for the decisive goal
Yaya Touré’s goals in the final weeks to keep City alive
Roberto Mancini’s touchline “Calma!” during the title run-in
Notable Manager
Notable Players
Sergio Agüero, Yaya Touré, David Silva, Vincent Kompany, Joe Hart, Mario Balotelli, Edin Džeko, Samir Nasri, Gareth Barry, Pablo Zabaleta, Joleon Lescott
Style of Play
4-2-3-1 formation, possession control, compact defence, quick transitions, creative half-spaces, tactical discipline
Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City blended tactical control with explosive moments of creativity. Structured around a 4-2-3-1 formation, City’s play balanced defensive discipline — led by Kompany and Hart — with fluid attacking rotations between Silva, Nasri, and Agüero.
Mancini’s approach reflected his Italian heritage: compact defensive lines, disciplined pressing triggers, and an emphasis on shape retention. Yet his team carried the attacking DNA of the Premier League’s new era — quick transitions, overlapping full-backs, and midfield dominance through Yaya Touré’s power and Barry’s composure.
The attacking trident behind Agüero combined precision with unpredictability. Silva operated as the creative hub, drifting into half-spaces to orchestrate attacks, while Balotelli and Džeko offered physical and tactical contrasts when deployed. The team’s rhythm relied on controlled tempo — building patiently, then striking decisively.
Despite their attacking flair, City’s title win was rooted in defensive solidity: only 29 goals conceded all season, the fewest in the league. Mancini instilled mentality and balance — a blend of continental patience and English intensity. The final-day drama may define their season, but the consistency across 38 matches built the foundation of a dynasty.
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