Villarreal v MAN CITY: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
1 Nov
It’s Champions League time again and another must-win game. Sergio Aguero’s last gasp strike against Villarreal a couple of weeks ago has given us hope that we can progress to the next round, although that victory would be rendered almost null if we weren’t to secure a win away in Spain tomorrow night.
We head into this game full of confidence, having won our past six matches in all competitions and scored 24 goals in the process. The players should have the belief that we can return to Manchester victorious and without wishing to be melodramatic, if we are to seriously challenge in the upper echelons of European competitions, these are the types of games we have to win. Three points against Villarreal and our chances of advancing look ever more promising.
With regards to team selection, Roberto Mancini has plenty of decisions to make. He rested James Milner, Nigel De Jong and Mario Balotelli against Wolves at the weekend, so it’s likely that trio will start. In defence, both fullbacks positions are up for grabs, though I’d expect Pablo Zabaleta and Gael Clichy to get the nod, having sat out the most recent fixture.
Further forward, Yaya Touré and Gareth Barry face competition for their places from De Jong and Milner, although it would be incredibly harsh to leave out Barry on current form, whilst we know what a big game player Yaya is. David Silva is nailed on to start, as is Sergio Aguero, so the manager faces a tough choice as to whether he can accommodate Samir Nasri, Edin Dzeko and Adam Johnson.
Here is the side Mancini could select:
Villarreal have been decimated by injuries since they visited the Etihad Stadium a couple of weeks ago and that, combined with their struggles in domestic action, mean that we enter this game as favourites. The Spaniards are devoid of the services of Giuseppe Rossi, whose movement caused our defence problems, and their goalscorer from the last game, Cani. They defended resolutely against us but it will be tougher this time around with no potent attacking threat to worry us.
Referee: Pedro Proenca Oliveira Alves Garcia – He’s a 42 year old financial manager from Lisbon, whose hobbies include skiing, reading and writing. He turns 43 the day after the game.
Prediction: Villarreal 0 – 2 MAN CITY – It may be a touch frustrating at times as Villarreal look to defend in numbers and limit our attacking space, but should we have enough patience and desire, we’ll be fine. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli.
I think you might have nailed the team. Not an easy thing to do with City these days! Imagine what it was like in ’70. Oh I think Lee, Summerbee and Bell might start but then again…
For my money James Milner has been the pick of the bunch over the past month. His pace, ferocity and distribution skills bring a unique dimension to the team – which is quite a remarkable statement when you think about it. In my ultimate starting XI he’d be one of the two defensive midfielders alongside De Jong with Yaya ahead of them. In that role Milner can sit tight when required and show off his vertical passing skills all day long, and also add a lethal attacking threat when least expected. That’s something that Barry no longer seems to have in his repertoire although I remember him as a swaggering left side midfielder years ago at Villa.
Still, the role you have picked out for Milner is similar to where he played against United and he was extremely effective then both in defense – working in tandem with Micah – and attack, popping up on both flanks in support of, and as a release to, Silva.
I’m just delighted to see the lad doing so well. And there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that as with Yaya, Silva, Balotelli, Kompany, Micah and Barry, that it’s Mancini who is bringing the very very best out of him. This is a team with Italian steel at its core. It’s time to turn it on Europe.
I would also prefer Yaya to be pushed forward in a more advanced role and Milner to be played along side of De Jong. Barry has recently been outstanding but somehow I do not think he can play two games per week at his best.