Sterling's Champions League heroics symbolic of Manchester City's European growth

Late drama is nothing new to Manchester City fans. It has become a familiar, exhilarating and generous companion. Their recent history is littered with defining moments that have come in the dying embers of iconic matches they now regale.

The last-gasp strikes to force extra-time in the play-off final triumph over Gillingham in '99 began an ascent from the depths of despair in the second division (now League One), right through to their first Premier League title triumph when Sergio Aguero scored that goal against QPR to snatch the trophy from the very fingertips of neighbours Manchester United. Producing heroic, last act turnarounds seems to be woven into the very fabric of the club nowadays, and this season's Champions League campaign appears to be following that familiar theme.

The Citizens secured their place in the last-16 with a game to spare, thanks in no small part to stoppage-time winners away to Borussia Monchengladbach and at home to Sevilla. Without those killer blows Group D could have had a very different complexion, but City ended up topping it thanks to yet another late show in their 4-2 home win over Gladbach.

With 11 minutes to go the stadium was muted, small sections of empty seats dotting the perimeter, perhaps highlighting the lack of belief amongst some supporters. Their side trailed 2-1 to an impressive Monchengladbach side and remained in second place, behind Juventus. The looming spectre of being drawn to face yet another knockout tie with Barcelona was very much the elephant in the room otherwise known as the Etihad.

On the eve of the contest, Manuel Pellegrini had been keen to stress that reaching the knockout stage was the priority and a good achievement, pointing to the troubles of England's other representatives to emphasise his point. It was a valid one that he reiterated in his post-match press conference. Qualification should not be taken lightly, particularly when you look at how Premier League clubs have fared recently in the competition. City's neighbours Manchester United fell by the wayside in a group that on paper seemed routine enough to navigate. Louis van Gaal would no doubt have torn your arm off if you had offered him second place.

In some instances finishing as runner-up in a group can work in a team's favour, but it has not been kind to City. In the last two seasons they have been unceremoniously dumped out by Lionel Messi et al at the first hurdle in the knockout phase. Another close encounter with the MSN wasn't on any City fan's Christmas wish list, but it remained a real prospect until two goals in 112 seconds from birthday boy Raheem Sterling transformed their fortunes and the destiny of the group.

The former Liverpool winger had shown flashes of brilliance but was enduring moments of frustration in a central striking role, producing the type of tame efforts on goal from promising situations that have left many observers serving up some harsh criticism of his finishing. It was a feature of his game as a 15-year-old boy playing for Liverpool U18s and still remains an Achilles heel, but when an opportunity relies more on his instinct it is often a different outcome. At his best, and in moments like these, it is easy to see why Sterling is so highly rated. The youngster has an innate ability to decide games and is a torrid menace for a tiring defence. At City he will only benefit from playing alongside the likes of Sergio Aguero and David Silva, just like he did teaming up with Luis Suarez at Liverpool.

His rise over the past few seasons has surprised few who watched him closely when he was snapped up by the Reds' Academy. It is no coincidence that one of the biggest influences on Sterling's development in Kirkby was former Barcelona youth coach, Rodolfo Borrell, now City's Global Technical Director. Borrell worked with some exceptional talents during his time at La Masia, so it says much about Sterling's talent that he only placed Messi above the youngster when he was discussing the most naturally gifted kids that he has coached a few years ago. He wasn't suggesting Sterling will go on to reach the heights of a player regarded by many as the greatest ever, but having just turned 21, he remains one with huge potential.

Whether he can emerge as a regular hitman is still debatable, despite his two-goal salvo at the expense of the in-form Borussians. At present the central striking role is not his best position. For a £49 million price-tag Sterling still has much to prove but playing regularly on the Champions League stage, with the opportunity to test himself against top-class sides in the latter stages of the competition, will only benefit his growth. The England starlet has already had some highs and lows during his short time with City but these vital goals could yet be symbolic of his slow, but burgeoning influence on a Manchester City side, who are mirroring his improvement with tentative steps forward in the competition.

To achieve their ambitions City are likely to have to take on the superpowers of Barca, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid at some point, but in terms of breaking new ground by topping a group for the first time, this was an important landmark. If there's to be a symmetry to their gradual progress then City are due to at least reach the last eight this term. The Citizens have bowed out in the last-16 in the last two seasons and prior to that went out at the group stage in the previous two campaigns. A quarter-final berth seems a logical and achievable target.

There are clearly areas they need to improve if they want to realise their dreams of actually winning the trophy. A record of seven wins in 17 Champions League home matches since 2011 tells it own story of why they have yet to truly set the competition alight. Making the Etihad more of a fortress could be the bedrock for future success. Injuries to key men appears to be a recurring theme too, which at times has left them short in both attack and defence at big moments.

There's no doubt Aguero is vital but so is their captain and defensive lynchpin, Vincent Kompany. City look vulnerable defensively whenever he is absent and Pellegrini and co must make it a priority to help the Belgian make a New Year's resolution; to find fitness and his best form after a stop-start season thus far. The Citizens have managed to keep just one clean sheet in their last 21 matches in the competition, suggesting they will need him at the peak of his powers when away goals come into the equation during the straight knockout scenarios against stronger opposition.

It still remains to be seen just how far City can go in the Champions League this season, but the prospect of meeting a Benfica or a PSV Eindhoven next as opposed to the giants of European football certainly offers reason for optimism. Avoiding Paris Saint-Germain in Monday afternoon's draw in Nyon will be high on Pellegrini's agenda as the country faces up to the very real possibility that, unless Arsenal complete a dramatic recovery and Chelsea rediscover their spirit tonight, City could well be the only side left flying the flag for England in the continent's premier competition following the turn of the year.