MAN CITY v Bayern Munich: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
6 Dec
It’s come down to this. Our first experience of Champions League football and as we head into the final group game, our fate has been taken out of our hands. We require a victory at home to Bayern Munich, not exactly the easiest task in the world, whilst desperately hoping that Villarreal can salvage at least a point from their fixture against Napoli. The odds are stacked very much against us, but whilst there is still a possibility, we have to remain hopeful.
This has undoubtedly been a learning experience and one from which we can only improve, so, should we end up with Europa League football come the end of Wednesday, it ought not to be classed as a failure. Our group is widely recognised as the most challenging and it’s worth noting that Villarreal, ranked as the second best side out of the four, have failed to win a single point. Should we progress, it will be a fantastic achievement, but if we don’t, I urge City fans not to become too despondent.
With regards to team selection, Roberto Mancini will select his side in the full knowledge that only a win will provide us with any hope of advancing to the knockout stage. However, that won’t mean he goes all-out attack and neglects defensive duties. I imagine he’ll pick Nigel De Jong, James Milner and Yaya Touré as a central three in order to control the midfield, then allowing David Silva, plus two from Dzeko, Aguero and Balotelli to have a creative licence further forward.
Micah Richards and Pablo Zabaleta are both carrying slight knocks, so it’s anyone’s guess who will play, but with Aleks Kolarov sidelined for at least three weeks with a groin strain, Gael Clichy will certainly start on the left of defence. After a bizarre interview he gave to a French magazine (although he denies this happening) Kolo Touré will surely make way for Joleon Lescott.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Whilst we may glance more than once at the score in Spain between Villarreal and Napoli, it’s not exactly a foregone conclusion that we’ll defeat Bayern. They taught us a footballing lesson at the Allianz Arena with a display so full of confidence and European knowhow. They’re top of the German League, already qualified in this competition and our hope is that they mest rest on their laurels and take it easy.
However, that wouldn’t be the way of the Germans who seem intent on sending a message to the other teams in the competition. They would dearly love to knock us out and in Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Mario Gomez, to name but three, they have the quality of player to do just that. Gomez is the join top goalscorer so far in the Champions League whilst Ribery tore Micah Richards to pieces in the first tie. Fortunately for City, Robben has remained in Germany along with Toni Kroos as they are both suffering from flu, but we’ll see the return to Manchester of Jerome ‘J-Bo’ Boateng.
Referee: Stéphane Lannoy – He’s 42, French, married with three children and is also a video distributer. He referereed two group games during the most recent World Cup, so should have the experience to officiate this fixture.
Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 2 Bayern Munich – I think there will be an electric atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium with City fans desperate to get behind the players. However, I just don’t think we have enough to defeat Bayern, so although I’m confident we’ll create chances, we may leak some at the back, too. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Mario Gomez and Franck Ribéry.
We will win 2-0. Not sure I would pick Micah for this game, would save him for Chelski and pick Zaba at RB. Stop Ribery and we win.
Thank god Kolarov is out! Have faith VFAB, get behind the team, urge a win, support the team, be fully behind them and lets win this game and heave the pressure on Napoli to get a result against Villarreal.
i think we will win.. it will all come down to napoli v villareal in my opinion
Kolo is a joke.
personally i am far from despondant at the thought we may not qualify, we have come so far in such a short space of time and have been treated to some great football this season. This is by far the greatest time being a city fan in my lifetime and i hope our fans therefore dont suffer from short memory syndrome if we fail to go through
Considering that qualification is not in our hands anymore and the probability of it happening. Mancini should rest key players for Chelsea game. We are doing very well in EPL and that should be our focus, esp the next game.
i from ukraine
Thanks for telling us that Vladyslav Lyskovets. Im from England, but thats besides the point of this blog.
I Billion spent and cant even qualify from the group stage, YOU CANT BUY CLASS!
Blue Moon Sinking
Dzeko: two assist-respect,
He’s a team player!