…since the start of the season". Our manager’s words in the pre-match press conference. I can’t disagree.
They continue to be a very organised and tough side; just as they were last season. They’ve also just registered their first European win after 53 years away.
Game on indeed!
Firstly, a quick look back…
…at last Thursday night.
For my records and end-of-season player rating piece, I don’t score players against non-Premier League or European teams. On this occasion, I sort of regret that policy slightly because I witnessed SO many excellent performances right throughout the team against Championship side, Norwich City, in the 3rd Round of the League Cup.
I’m tempted to mention names but to be absolutely honest, there weren’t many at all who didn’t impress me a lot against side who started the game with some real gusto and as we then started to assert ourselves; threw up two yellow and green walls.
Fantastic performance - 👏👏👏👏👏…
v Sunderland
Etihad Stadium|
Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 9/11.
A fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-2-3-1 / / 4-3-3:
_____________________Haaland (VC) __________________
__Semenyo_______________________________Ndiaye__
_________________________________Cherki__________
__________Fernandez______________________________
_____________________Anderson___________________
Gvardiol ____________________________________Nunes
___________Guehi (VC) _______________Dias (C) __________
___________________Donnarumma (VC) ________________
Subs: Rulli, Ait-Nouri, O’Reilly, Khusanov, Reis, Bouaddi, Kovacic, Doku and Elias.
Gianluigi returns in goal for this league encounter.
A back-4 of Josko, Marc, Ruben and Matheus.
Elliot is our deepest midfielder, Enzo ahead of him and Rayan-C- furthest forward in the middle of the park.
Antoine and Iliman either side of those with Erling up front.
Geronimo returns to the bench after his cup clean sheet in midweek; Rayan-A-, Nico, Abdukodir and the calm, composed Vitor provide defensive cover from the bench. Speaking of calm and composed, Ayyoub is joined by Mateo, Jeremy and Allan as midfielders and wingers in ‘the 9’.
Notable absences:
-Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.
-Rico Lewis – Not selected.
-Phil Foden – Suspended for another 2 matches.
Do I agree withEnzo’s (predicted) line-up?
Yep.
Result?
A bit of a weird fact for you:
Of the top-10 sides in last season’s end table, only Sunderland (7th) had a minus goal difference (-6). They somehow, very professionally I’m keen to add, manage to consistently work their socks off and grind out results. Purely from memory, they were getting a fair ol’ number of 1-0 and 2-1 wins; plus a good number of draws in the first third of last season.
I think what happened then was the loss of so many players around winter time, due to the African Cup of Nations, and that threw ‘em off track. All of a sudden, a one-goal win or a draw turned into 2-0 and 3-0 defeats for a time; hence the minus goal difference. With the help of a strong finish, they made it into Europe and gained a lot of plaudits along the way.
I agree with our manager – I think we’re facing that same resilient side this afternoon. 💪
What more can I say about us other than 6 wins from 6 in 3 different competitions; 15 goals scored, just 2 against and 4-consecutive clean sheets in our last 4 outings.
Going off everything I’ve just said about both teams, this should be a fascinating contest. 😃
I’m going for a narrow City win.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:
Prediction: Draw
Result: Won
(Pre-match blog posting from that game)
Expected weather conditions during the game :Very pleasant. Not exactly The Bahamas but I don’t think you’ll hear too many fans complaining a 16C with part-sunny skies. A slight westerly breeze but that’s about it. And for those of you who live locally, next week is more than decent too; with temperatures possibly reaching 21C at times, which is 70F in old pennies. ⛅😎🍺⚽
A ‘must mention’
Well done to our women’s team who played a vital game in the WSL on Friday night and came out of it 4-2 winners against title challengers, Liverpool.
What an end to the game which, going into the 90th minute, was standing at 2-2. In the 90th minute a forced own goal and then a 95th minute breakaway strike saw us take all-3 points. I watched the highlights and it was a very good game with some terrific goals.
I said that it was a vital game - that result sees us now 3 wins from 3 league games played and, crucially, 5 points clear of last night’s opponents. 👍
That’s it now until 4:30pm on Sunday 11th October! 😮 All thanks to an extended (3-week) international break.
Oh…great. 😒
Put another way, the next ball we kick in anger will be just 10.7 weeks before Christmas Day. 🤬
Solidarity|