MAN CITY v Dynamo Kyiv – PREVIEW: Make This a Day to Remember!
16 Mar
Thursday 16th, April 2009. A day that will live long in the memory for anyone privileged enough to be at the City of Manchester Stadium. It was the second leg of the Hamburg tie and despite the Blues not progressing from that match to the next round, that day has set the benchmark for what a true MCFC atmosphere is. Players refer to it in interviews, Roberto Mancini is certainly aware of it and the fans reminisce about it. I urge my fellow Blues: let’s recreate that atmosphere on Thursday night!
We are 2-0 down from the first leg against Dynamo Kyiv. Down but most definitely not out. We have seen combacks happen in the past and they will happen again in the future. Why can’t we be a part of that future? And in my humble opinion, the City players will need the crowd to be at our vociferous best, complete with inflatables, flags and anything else to liven the atmosphere. Treat this as a rallying cry. Together, as one, we can do this.
It won’t be easy, as Dynamo displayed their quality in the first leg and should they score an away goal, it would make our task doubly difficult. But we must retain hope. A quick start is imperative and any goal in the first half would make for a nailbiting finish, but we should be there for the team throughout.
Mancini will have to earn his money in this fixture, faced as he is with a tricky tactical dilemma. Does he commit men forward in the search for early goals and yet risk a Dynamo counter attack, or does he start more steadily, biding his time as we wait to score? I’d imagine he will opt for the latter, with Patrick Vieira and Gareth Barry forming a defensive shield in midfield, allowing the likes of Yaya Touré, David Silva, Mario Balotelli and Edin Džeko to create havoc further forward. Carlos Tévez is expected to be rested, whilst Nigel de Jong may not play after feeling the effects of his ankle injury against Reading. Pablo Zabaleta is still bby his father’s side in Buenos Aries whilst Jérome Boateng was injured in training yesterday.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
We are further boosted by the news that Dynamo striker Artem Milevskiy, who caused our defence numerous problems in the first leg, is out after suffering an injury in the Ukrainians’ most recent match. However, despite his absence, they are an impressive technical unit who moved the ball at pace last week. They will no doubt defend narrowly, limiting the space for Silva to operate and they will hope to catch us on the counter.
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır – He is a Turkish referee, born in Istanbul, who is an insurance agent by day. 34 years old, Çakır officiated in Fulham’s victory in the Europa League last season over Hamburg and took charge of Chelsea in the Champions league just a few months ago.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 - 1 Dynamo Kyiv – I can see this game being a high-scoring thriller. We are likely to push forward and create chances, but I think Dynamo are dangerous on the counter attack. Goals to be scored by Balotelli, Tévez, Yaya Touré and Shevchenko.
Not sure I share the same enthusiasm for a come-back in tomorrow’s game esp with a line-up that may cost us Chelsea’s game. I do think that exiting the Europa League could actually increase our chances of winning some silverware. The prospect of another year without champion’s league would leave quite a few players restless and eager to leave and not to mention a big hindrance to enhance City by signing one or tow world class players. The benefits of Champion’s league by far exceeds the winning of FA and Europa league. I do believe Mancini should go for a passage to the next round as no club should have the give-up mentality but he should try to achieve this by including the following city youth in the line-up:
Boyata – Wabara – Razak – John Guidetti
And Yaya should definitely not play esp due to his recent slacking or tiredness [whichever way suits you]
Mario Balotelli is a total disgrace and frankly, he’s taking the p*ss out of everyone associated with City, including the loyal supporters. Get rid now!!
Disagree – not a sending off for me
Well said, Craig
Ive been a City supporter since Bert Trautmann broke
his neck in 1956, when I was listening on the radio.
After watching Balotelli play, I can only say that he might have the skills to play the game well but he has no interest in using them. His performance in the Dynamo Kiev game was a disgrace.
1. He misses an open goal that any school boy could have converted.
2. Makes no effort to avoid blocking a goal bound effort from a team-mate.
3. Commits a foul that is certain to be red carded and
give his team mates a body blow when they needed everyone with hands to the pump.
I don’t think he should be allowed to kick another ball for City.
There might be a lot of money available to support the club, and as a fan I am grateful for that.
But…. When are they going to appoint someone who can spend it wisely ??
The Moscow Dynamo wishes you a victory!! We with all the heart! Forward to victories!!!
He was trying to charge down the ball and despite his sitter he was uch more heavily involved in the game, showing his utter brilliance at times