City go into the 12th game of our Europa League campaign knowing it will be the last unless a two goal deficit to Dynamo Kiev is overturned. Unbeaten in 11 games and dangerous on the break there is also the fear that a goal for the Ukrainians will leave City needing four.
Whether we can cope with another five games in the Europa League, or whether we would be better off out of it, is a question currently dividing City fans.
Continue Reading →City booked their first appearance at the new Wembley, and their first FA Cup semi-final since 1981 courtesy of a Micah Richards header from a David Silva corner. Reading provided spirited opposition but the return of Nigel de Jong helped ease City through.
Signs of fatigue were inevitable in a City side who had only returned from the Ukraine at 5am on Friday morning. Mancini sought to refresh his side intelligently with four changes in the shape of Vieira, de Jong, Wright-Phillips and Tevez.
Continue Reading →Hart – Excellent protection ensured only one routine save was required. Provided some well-directed distribution to Yaya’s head. 6
Richards – Focused on keeping the dangerous looking McAnuff quiet in the first half. Micah scoring with a header from a corner has been coming for a while now, and this was the perfect time. 7
Continue Reading →On paper a home tie against Championship opposition might look like an straightforward tie. The reality is different for a City side currently on a run of tired performances and having only arrived back from the Ukraine at 5am on Friday.
As a result, it’s to be hoped that Mancini endeavours to refresh the side. The most welcome returnee would be Nigel de Jong. Boateng, Vieira, Boyata and Jo all missed out in Kiev and should be considered. Tevez and Wright-Phillips only made substitute appearances and would be fresher than the likes of Barry and Yaya.
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