MAN CITY v Sporting Lisbon: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
14 Mar
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Bouncing back from consecutive defeats is something we’ve only had to do once this season, but this second leg against Sporting Lisbon offers us the perfect opportunity to display our character, resilience and togetherness. City trail by a single goal from the first tie and with confidence having taken a knock following the late defeat to Swansea, a win is imperative.
The aim this season is, obviously, to be victorious in our pursuit of the Premier League, but success in the Europa League would be a great bonus. Winning, as they say, is a habit so although this competition is not at the top of our priorities, victory against Sporting would see momentum return and hopefully set the Blues in good stead for the absolutely vital Chelsea game.
With regards to team selection, Roberto Mancini has revealed that Gareth Barry will miss out with a back injury, whilst Joleon Lescott is only a possibility for a place on the bench. The defensive duo of Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany are definitely sidelined with injuries, sio it’s likely that Stefan Savic and Kolo Touré will again form our centre-back partnership.
Further forward, Yaya Touré will start, having been suspended for the first leg, whilst the likes of James Milner, David Pizarro and Adam Johnson are all hoping for the nod. David Silva and Sergio Aguero have looked a touch jaded recently so may sit this one out, but Mario Balotelli, who impressed as a substitute in the first leg, will start in all likelihood.
Here is the Mancini could select:
We saw in the first leg how comfortable Sporting are in possession and they could easily have scored at least one more in Portugal, but with only a goal deficit, we should start the game in a positive frame of mind. Sporting looked better going forward than in defence so we should create plenty of chances and it will be a matter of how clinical we are as to whether we progress.
Referee: Tom Hagen – Relatively inexperienced at this level, Hagen is a 33 year old Danish teacher, who also happens to share a name with a fictional character in the Godfather books and films!
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 1 Sporting Lisbon – I feel our superb home form will see us advance. It may well prove to be a very entertaining and open affair, but our extra quality ought to come to the fore. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli, Yaya Touré and Ricky Van Wolfswinkel.
City should learn to include wing-style playing as part of its play. We have players like Dezko that would perfectly suit these kind of style. Dezko is becoming the victim of one dimensional Barcelona style of playing. As much as I like Barcelona style, I do not see why we can not take advantage of Tottenham style of playing by sending decent balls from the wings into 18 yards and leverage Dezko.
Good point,I will add one more fact. Barcelona play successfully their style because they have Messi. And he is unique. It was sad and pathetic end of Swansea game,when I saw change of game style in last 3-4 minutes when Dzeko entered.
i cant predict anymore after two lose in a row
i would rather see 3 at the back instead of seeing savic in there.
i know he’s only young but for gods sake the guys bin shocking then he’s come in.
is zaba fit? why not put him at right back move richards to centre back….simple
Yet it makes you wonder why Boyata was shipped to Bolton to be used as scape-goat for Bolton’s pathetic runs. He made one mistake during Arsenal game last season and he was held to it ignoring his excellent displays against Chelsea, United, etc. It makes you wonder how much of a difference is between Boyata and Savic