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Two superb performances in the last week send City into this Sunday’s crunch game with United full of confidence although they do say form goes out the window come derby-day!
I hope that’s not the case as City need to reproduce their excellent recent displays to overcome a United side stuttering away from home in recent games.
Previewing the derby can wait as I must first congratulate Mark Hughes and his players for seeing off Arsenal and Schalke with two mature, intelligent and passionate performances.
The City boss has faced criticism on my after-match phone-in for some of his tactics this season, but no-one could fault his thinking in the last two matches, as his team selection and game-plan nullified the opposition yet still carried the attacking prowess we’ve witnessed so often this term.
Five goals scored and most importantly two clean sheets show the team ARE capable of defending resolutely whilst retaining their goal threat.
The deserved win in Germany was achieved without Robinho and although I’d like to see the Brazilian feature in every game, City fans must be delighted to see their team play so well without their superstar.
Vincent Kompany’s switch to centre-half worked a treat with Didi Hamann making the most of his opportunity in Kompany’s holding midfield role and on a night when every City player performed brilliantly, I’d plump for the German as my star-man.
The Blues are relatively inexperienced in Europe and Hamann led the way showing how to control a game at this level, breaking up Schalke’s attacks and keeping the team ticking over with composed passing.
Looking assured on the left, Danny Sturridge deserves special praise as he played a major part in Benjani’s opener, which stunned the home crowd and swung the game City’s way.
In the awesome surroundings of the Veltins Arena, the 2-0 win will have sent a signal to the other UEFA Cup sides that City really do mean business in this competition and with qualification assured, City now have to aim to top the group leading to a slightly easier draw come February.
From job done in Europe, the little matter of the Manchester derby looms on Sunday, a game which holds a special place in my heart and no matter how many I witness, I still cross my fingers for a City win during commentary!
Doing the double last season over the Barclays Premier League and Champion’s League winners was a phenomenal achievement and although United have struggled in their last five away games Mark Hughes will never underestimate the ability of the Reds’ attacking threats.
In Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez and Ronaldo United have proven goalscorers and the Portuguese wingers battle which either Michael Ball or Javier Garrido could be the major factor in the match’s outcome.
City have their match-winners too and Sir Alex will be well aware of the sparkling form of Robinho, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Stevie Ireland…I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the mercurial Irishman comes up with the winning goal!
This derby has all the ingredients of a classic so let’s hope for an open attacking game and a third consecutive City victory…Come on you Blues!!
The Chinch predicts: City 2-1 United
TOTAL FOOTBALL on Key 103 and Magic 1152 Manchester brings you EVERY City game this season.
Join me next on Sunday from 1pm, live from THE CITY OF MANCHESTER STADIUM as the Blues face arch-rivals Man United.
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