Given – Hard not to feel for him. No chance with the goals and few opportunities to demonstrate his ability in the rest of the game. 6
Richards – A step backwards from his recent improved form. Some poorly timed tackles, careless in possession and often out of position. Looked tired mentally if not physically. 6
Continue Reading →City take on Lech Poznan once again in the Europa League, and hope to get back to the kind of performance that saw Adebayor net a hat-trick first time round. Avoiding defeat will leave City with an excellent chance of sealing qualification with a home victory over Salzburg.
With all the adverse headlines, our “under pressure” manager might be expected to field his strongest team against Poznan in the hope of getting a resounding result. He won’t. Keeping players fresh for the three Premier League fixtures in six days, starting on Sunday, ensures rotation is key.
Continue Reading →This was a game where both sides appeared to start out believing the other was there for the taking, before realising a mutual respect that saw them settle for a draw.
Aside from Del Piero cracking a free-kick against the bar, the competitive edge to this game was to be found in the first half. Juventus defied talk of their demise by flying out of the blocks with some slick passing and movement, the like of which we’re unaccustomed to in our domestic football.
Continue Reading →Hart – Not the best of nights for Joe, being caught out as the ball bounced under his outstretched hand for the goal. Del Piero’s free kick against the bar should also have been tipped over. 6
Zabaleta (Boyata 46) – Not many wingers get the better of Pablo, but Krasic was a slippery opponent. The Argentine was typically fearless in one crunching 50-50 with Chiellini which he did well to survive intact. 6
Continue Reading →