The AUDI cup - and South Africa

[john@staustell]

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Tour-2013/Ma ... -in-Munich?

City are set for a summer reunion with Mario Balotelli and Nigel de Jong.

This friends reunited gathering will take place in Munich at the Audi Cup 2013.

Also on this guest list at the Allianz Arena are UEFA Champions League finalists Bayern Munich, three-time South American champions Sao Paulo, as well as seven-time European champions Milan.

Tickets start from as little as €20 per day for the competition which will be held on 31 July and 1 August 2013.

Manchester City FC’s Chief Commercial and Operating Officer, Tom Glick said: “We are delighted to have been invited to take part in the Audi Cup and to be competing with some of the best teams in the world.

“This tournament forms a significant part of our pre-season preparations and we are very much looking forward to it.”


The competition format allows supporters travelling over to Munich to watch all four teams on both days, with day tickets available for the two semi-finals taking place back-to-back on 31 July, as well as on 1 August for the third and fourth place play-off and final.

Kick-off times on both days will be at 18:15 and 20:30.

With no major international tournament taking place over the summer, the low ticket prices and high calibre opposition are expected to tempt thousands of Blues over to Germany.

This bi-annual tournament will give Pep Guardiola the chance to win a first international title in his new home and could potentially pave the way for a rematch between City and the Bavarian side after they met in the Champions League back in 2011/12.



Of course Bayern beat City 2-0 at the Allianz Arena back in September 2011 thanks to goals from Mario Gomez, while the Blues reversed the scoreline in the return group stage fixture at the Etihad Stadium a couple of months later.

Bayern were beaten finalists in the 2011 Audi Cup, ironically coming unstuck in the final against Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona courtesy of a Thiago Alcantara brace.

Manchester United were beaten on penalties by Bayern in 2009’s final.

As for Milan, Balotelli has been an instant hit at the San Siro since joining from City in January, scoring eight goals in his first nine games, while Nigel De Jong has missed most of the season with a knee injury.

The Dutchman is expected to be back in time for a potential reunion with the club where he is still held in such high regard

[BlueinBosnia]

Really, really tempted by this, work permitting...

[maxxi]

HOLLY... I'll be in Vienna that week, erm I could drive (4/5 hours) to Munich via Salzburg. Oooo Yes

[Beefymcfc]

I'll be in Germany for this. Definately a goer.

[zuricity]

I'll be in Germany for this. Definately a goer.

English gardens are a must .... lots of flesh on display there.... and great beer !

[Blue Since 76]

Doesn't sound a patch on the Thomas Cook Trophy.

The Germans do realise that they're making us look like establishment by inviting us to this? Or is that the idea - don't challenge us and we'll let you play in friendlies with the grown ups?

[john@staustell]

Doesn't sound a patch on the Thomas Cook Trophy.

The Germans do realise that they're making us look like establishment by inviting us to this? Or is that the idea - don't challenge us and we'll let you play in friendlies with the grown ups?

It is a bit rich. Bayern haven't had a good word to say for us. I guess SCUM aren't available so they wanted the next best money-maker at the moment. Money rules over pride.

[Alex Sapphire]

bet the scum are in the BMW Cup

[Beefymcfc]

I'll be in Germany for this. Definately a goer.

English gardens are a must .... lots of flesh on display there.... and great beer !

Cheers mate, may see you there.

[Moonchesteri]

Gutted this isn't on a weekend!

[zuricity]

Cheers mate, may see you there.

Every chance 1st August is a holiday in Switzerland and me and the wife always take our little dog into Germany , because of the firework celebrations... Driving along the edge of the alps in the Allgau , in Bayern there are some fantastic small breweries etc and very inexpensive to stay and eat. about 90 mins from Munich , depending how fast you want to drive, but absolutely beautiful, As is Munich btw

[john@staustell]

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Tour-2013/Ma ... uth-Africa

Manchester City FC is proud to announce the Club will be visiting South Africa in their upcoming pre-season programme, ‘City on Tour’.

Two games will be played against top PSL Clubs, the second taking place on Mandela Day, 18 July.

To recognise this, organisers Matchworld have collaborated with Africa Rising and City to get the world to understand the concept ‘67 minutes for Madiba’, the ethical framework being “Service to one’s fellow human."

Representing City at the launch was Patrick Vieira, Football Development Executive for MCFC and winner of nine league titles and five FA Cups. Vieira also represented his country, France, 107 times and won the 1998 FIFA World Cup when he received France’s highest award, the Legion d’Honneur in 1998.

“South Africa is one of my favourite countries,” said Vieira. “I spent a lot of time here during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and was thrilled when City tasked me to come over and launch the South African leg of our upcoming Tour. Mandela is one of my heroes and to be part of Mandela Day will be an honour.”



The South African ‘Football Invitational in support of Mandela Day’ kicked-off in the same period last year when Manchester United played Amazulu. “

We are pleased that Manchester City has included South Africa in their pre-season Tour and help us promote Mandela Day,” said Lyndon Barends, Executive Chairman, Matchworld.

“We are continuing from where we left off last year and give all South Africans a chance to see another great team in action.”

Tom Glick, Chief Commercial & Operating Officer at MCFC added: “South Africa's love of football was clear during both the World Cup and most recently the African Cup of Nations.


“We are very excited to bring Manchester City closer to the South African community and our rapidly growing global fanbase. This will be a fantastic tournament and I speak for the full squad when I say how pleased we are to visit this wonderful country.

"Not only are the training facilities fantastic, but we have already seen the fans’ passion first hand from our previous visit in 2009 and look forward to July 2013.”

Games will take place on 14 and 18 July against South African PSL teams (still to be finalised). Tickets will be on sale at Computicket at the end of May.

[aaron bond]

South Africa, Hong Kong and Germany in pre-season, as well as the USA at the end of this season. That's a lot of travelling!

Great for our exposure, but I hope it doesn't tire the players out. It's essential we have a flying start next season in order to win our trophy back.