MAN CITY v Napoli: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
13 Sep
Fancy a flutter? Edin Dzeko to score the first goal and City to win 3-1 is great value at 35/1 whilst City to miss a penalty, as Carlos Tévez did on Saturday, is a very tempting 13/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.
The Champions League adventure starts here! All the efforts of the past three years have been centred on reaching this stage. The hard work that has gone on, both on the pitch and off it, have been with the single desire to see City competing in this competition. And now it’s time!
Our first match sees Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, who, just like City, have never competed in the Champions League in its current format, visit the Etihad Stadium for what is sure to be an unforgettable night. The atmosphere will be electric, complete with flags, bananas and no doubt a variety of other inflatables. The pre-match music, the now infamous Champions League theme tune, will send shivers down the spine and with a full house expected, few would bet against the decibel count being high.
And with the squad we have, I’d expect us to progress from the group stage. It will be a tough ask, make no mistake about that, but such is the quality we possess, we should advance. A key point, in this being our debut season, is the amount of Champions League experience we have. The likes of Nasri, Silva, Dzeko and Aguero are just some of the names who have played in the competition, whilst the trio of Balotelli, Tévez and Yaya Touré have each won a winner’s medal. That experience will be invaluable.
With regards to team selection, Mario Balotelli is suspended for the first three group games after his red card against Dynamo Kyiv last season, whilst Nigel De Jong remains sidelined with injury. James Milner and Gareth were rated as doubtful but both trained fully today and I’d expect Barry to be given the nod. Edin Dzeko and Samir Nasri will return, replacing Carlos Tévez and Adam Johnson.
Here is the side I expect Mancini to select:
Napoli are an unknown quantity as far as the Champions League is concerned, but they are a high quality outfit. With a forward three of Marek Hamsik, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi, all of whom were rumoured to be City transfer targets over the summer, they will cause any defence problems. They normally play just three at the back, so tend to leave space out wide, meaning Gael Clichy and Micah Richards should have a big impact, but having finished 3rd in Seria A last year, they should not be underestimated.
Referee: Jonas Eriksson – A 37 year old, Swedish multi-millionaire who made his fortune after the TV company in which he had a 15% stake was sold for big money.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 1 Napoli – The atmosphere should be fantastic, City’s football will be mesmerising and I’m backing us to win. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri and Edinson Cavani.
Fancy a flutter? Edin Dzeko to score the first goal and City to win 3-1 is great value at 35/1 whilst City to miss a penalty, as Carlos Tévez did on Saturday, is a very tempting 13/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.
Bold I know but I am fairly certain mr Aleks Kolarov will start tonight, purely due to hsi appearance in the press conference and also his knowledge of the Italian side.
I hope not! I think he only appeared in the pre-match press conference because he’s the member of the squad (except Balo, who doesn’t count) who speaks Italian.
I’d go with Aleks too but I can’t fault your call. That is one ‘eck of a team, I was slavering just reading it off the page
Aha!
We crossed in the ether VFAB!
Don’t tell me you’ve written Aleks off please don’t, he took time to settle sure, but he gives us something different and in his last appearance was excellent.
Gael is a better defender and I’d always pick him ahead of Aleks when we are up against tricky, pacey wingers, but in Kolarov we do have a goodun, honest
I wouldn’t say I’ve written him off fully, but I’m up to ‘Kolar’!! I hope he comes good, but not holding out too much hope – very slow, poor defensively, but he can kick the ball hard.
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