Dynamo Kyiv v MAN CITY: THE PREVIEW – Teamnews and Prediction
8 Mar
The time has arrived for Man City to continue their European adventure. It’s the round of the last sixteen and a tricky tie with distinguished Ukranian side Dynamo Kyiv awaits. Despite a hectic fixture schedule, this match remains as important as any, so thoughts of FA Cup progression of or Champions League qualification must be put to the back of our minds. As the natives say, Настав момент.
The Ukrainians demolished Besitkas 8-1 on aggregate in the previous round, and despite being only second in their domestic league, they are one of the favourites for this competition. With a hostile home atmosphere, combined with below freezing temperatures, the Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium is a challenging place to go, and I’m sure City would be delighted with a draw. As a player, Roberto Mancini faced the Ukrainians twice, recording wins on both occasions, so perhaps, clutching at straws, that’s a lucky omen!
With regards to team selection, Roberto Mancini must balance the need to attain a result here with the fatigue that the players are suffering. Nigel de Jong is unlikely to be deemed fit enough to start, but should be on the bench, so Patrick Vieira can expect to continue in midfield. Unfortunately, James Milner is not yet fit enough to travel, whilst Jérome Boateng’s wife is set to give birth any day now so he may not play, but Edin Džeko hasn’t played much recently so is in line to start.
Here is the side which Mancini could select:
Did you hear the one about seven Ukrainians, two Brazilians, a Finn, a Morrocan and a Crotatian? Because that could well be how Dynamo line up tomorrow, in terms of the nationalities of their players. Their most well known player is former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko, although we must watch out for the creative talents of Roman Eremenko. He’s not a household name yet, but in a manner very similar to David Silva for us, he makes Dynamo tick and provides many of the assists for their goals.
Referee: Florian Meyer – The 42 year old German official lists jogging, reading and tennis as his hobbies, whilst he was the fourth official for the infamous ‘Liverpool v AC Milan’ Champions League final in 2007.
Prediction: Dynamo Kyiv 2 - 1 MAN CITY – It’s not often that I predict a City defeat, so I hope I’m wrong for this match. But with Dynamo’s sparkling form, combined with other mitigating factors, I can see them just edging this match. Although if we were to score an away goal, that would prove incredibly useful for the return leg. Goals to be scored by Andriy Shevchenko, Ognjen Vukojević and Edin Džeko.
I am disappointed…why is Hart lining up in the same kit as everyone else?
Team wise think you have got it spot on….my prediction…I cannot decide between 1-0 (my head) or 1-1 (my heart!)
I’d be perfectly content with 1-1.
when there was a potential trip to kiev on the cards i thought that we couldnt beat them. but why the heck not. we are a great team, when, if they turn up, can beat anyone. i reckon we get ourselves an away goal and shut up shop like everyone does to us.
I think maybe yaya will be rested? Played alot of consecutive games all 90 mins?
City has to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge following the second leg of this fixture, I think it makes sense to play the strongest line up to be in a position to be able to rest key players in the second leg.
If they are paid £250,000 a week why cant they be fit and play week in week out?
Last time I checked “week in week out” does not mean every 3 days. The truth is players are human like rest of us and are not immune to fatigue, injury when they play a game every 3 days for some extended period of time. Even if you pay them £250,000 a day, they are going to get injured, tired and … and you are not going to make super-man out of them. I wish we could as the club can afford a couple!
“John Gudetti Is My Hero” has got an agenda against Yaya Toure and does not even notice when he actually plays well. I realised this after the game against Villa when not only did he score the first but also played a world class ball in to Balotelli for the second. Now in my opinion that is quite a contribution for anybody and pretty much sealed the game for us. However, this was hardly enough for him and he listed those two points as his only input into the whole game, and that says it all really.
The fact of the matter is I don’t think he can be objective about the player as he has been berating him for that long he wouldn’t know where to start. Time to wake up and realise that he is an important player in our team who not only came fourth in our player of the month vote, but has also scored more goals than Silva and created more than any other central midfielders in our team. This man’s blinkered view of Yaya’s play has me actually wondering if he has played much football in his time. I think not.
By the way, 1-1 tomorrow.
Well said. This is called blind prejudice to the extend that even an implicit reference is made to him through his salary in a topic that is geared to team and not to him per se to single him out as a culprit. Such person does not have even a morsel of logic to pass any judgments as The brain’s response is conditioned to one immutable view when the name Yaya mentioned. And in some extreme cases, no matter what happens it is Yaya’s fault.
I am not condining wages but at least Tevez gives it his all for 90 minutes and gets the wage packet…Yaya runs and then falls on the floor and complains someone wasnt ina better position when there was an easy ball to the left? He’s a slacker and not worth anything near the sum he is on.
Yaya blames everyone else for not doing his work and its about time someone stood up and complained about the lack of work he does, and that person is me on this blog, but also plenty in the ground where I sit, including the scouts who I sit next to.
I DONT AT ALL?!
Thatsall he did against Villa…a tap in from five yards and one world class ball??!? How can we ask someone just to do that and get £250,000 a week?! Thats a joke? he wasnt out best input either, Silva was?
He is not an important player and we could easily play without him. His work ethic is a disgrace and Milner would do more for the team than he does and Silva can play better balls than he does. Came fourth in our player of the month…whoop de woo…what a great month it was too….NOT?
Have I played much football? If we are getting personal, then yes I have and I continue to captain a manage a team every sunday and captain a side every tuesday and thursday as it is a welcome break from heavy days involved as a barrister. City should give up on time wasters like Yaya and employ fitter people. Okay he scored more because he gets the taps ins bar one against Fulham away. How many has he created and how many has he missed? Have you got your blinkers on as all you look at is positives and dont give him enough stick when he underperforms week in week out. I spoke with a City coach recently as I played golf with him and he confirmed Yaya is not fit enough as a player.
If anyone says Yaya played well then they are 100% blind….agree with me now? I agree others didnt do anything either, but he was so ineffective? WHY AN EARTH DID HE GO BACKWARDS IN THE LAST MINUTE WHEN ALL HE NEEDED TO DO WAS HOOF IT IN THE BOX????
Mr Guidetti has it on the nose.
Yaya does not deserve his wages. The likes of Silva, Tevez, Zaba, Kompany ect. all work their backsides off for the entire 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) of every single game that we play. Yes, their performances may not be brilliant but they TRY. Yaya walks about a bit, gives the ball away, falls on his arse, gets up (eventually) and moans at someone.
The moaning was in full view this evening. After his shot in the first half, the first thing he did was to have a go at Silva.
City Since 77
“John Gudetti Is My Hero” has got an agenda against Yaya Toure and does not even notice when he actually plays well. I realised this after the game against Villa when not only did he score the first but also played a world class ball in to Balotelli for the second. Now in my opinion that is quite a contribution for anybody and pretty much sealed the game for us. However, this was hardly enough for him and he listed those two points as his only input into the whole game, and that says it all really.
>>> JGIMH!!! is a seasoned football fan and, I know, will appreciate good football. In a conversation that he and myself had over a round of golf the day after the Villa game, he appreciated that he did 2 things well. However, and I do think this was an appropriate time for the comment, does a goal and a good cross in an ENTIRE game, justify such a large wage? I think not.
So, Mr CS77, during that Villa game, or even any game since he arrived, what else has he done? Has he been a rock in the centre of the midfield? No. Has he put in 100% effort into every game (despite any poor games which, I accept, every player has)? No.
Siamac
>>> Blind predudice? I do feel that you are being very harsh. Surely, by even mentioning the phrase, you are committing the same crime. By hurling such an accusation at an individual such as Mr JGIMH, surely you are being predudicial against his own opinions.
This is a website through which one person posts articles which are designed to promote a healthy debate. Just cool off and be nice to each other.
p.s. Yaya really is a poor excuse for a footballer
Case closed – the jury has come to it’s verdict.