by bergomi » Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:48 pm
Watched the game.
1st half: A very bad show. An absent midfield, the attack cut-off from the remaining team which was forced to play in defense practically all the time. No creativity, not one single good pass and very slow moving in the midfield.
2nd half: Until the changes for Ireland and Bellamy practically the same - then a big improvement. Finally the midfield positioned itself and started connecting the team in one big moving entity. Finally then came the dangerous actions, still not as good as expected, but a big improvement nonetheless.
I think the main problem in City is the midfield. No ideas, slow, rarely any off the ball movement, practically no running into space, no direct passes, just predictable.
Given-5- Nothing special, some mistakes and insecurities.
Zabaleta-5,5- Just not what you'd expect from a left-back. Some mistakes... less talking and more running
Boyata-6- Despite some childish mistakes, did a very good job, some really good interventions and passionate.
Kolo-5,5- Disappointment since he's the captain. He did his little job, but did nothing to lift the squad up.
Bridge-5,5- Did his little job, some mistakes and nevery really pushed up, never tried to really press or go attacking their side.
De Jong-5- A ghost. Anybody seen him? I'm disappointed since I thought he was your best one in the midfield.
Ireland-5- Poltergeist. I thought he was overrated, now I am sure. Practically useless.
Barry-6- Despite not liking his style he was the only one in the midfield package that ran, battled, broke actions of the opposition and he at least tried to create something - others didn't do even their job.
Tevez-5,5- Today didn't get his chances since the whole attack was cut off. Maybe a little too static.
Adebayor-6- A goal, battled, tried something, ran all over the attack. He wasn't dangerous and didn't get any good balls, but at least he showed some desire to score.
Bellamy-5,5- Absent, cut off on the left side of the midfield, too low to be dangerous and at the same time useless in midfield because he doesn't have the abilities for a midfielder and because of this the team suffers.
Subs
Viera-6 - Good and despite his slowness he connected the game, stopped other playing frenetically with offering himself as an option to be passed too and he finally was one able to construct the game, to deliver balls etc...
Johnson-6- Very impressed. This may be a veeeery good arrival, since he was more dangerous in 30 minutes then Ireland/Bellamy together in the whole game.
Petrov- no vote