***Official City v Timisaora Thread***

[Beefymcfc]

30 minutes to kick-off and no thread, you're having a laugh!

COME ON CITY!!!

[Mark (Blue Army)]

COME ON CITY!!!!

[mr_nool]

i'm not even nervous. i do remember our uefa campaign from two years ago, and it send shivers down my spine (all those close calls). but we've just come so far since then,

[Beefymcfc]

Just in case you can't find a stream, the OS is showing absolutely free!

Can't make the match tonight? No problem. Your award-winning website is showing the whole of City's Europa League second-leg tie against Timisoara live right here!

Mario Balotelli's strike in Romania last week has put the Blues in the driving seat to make the group-stage draw in Monaco but be sure that Roberto Mancini's men will be taking nothing for granted.

Since we're showing the game, our comprehensive Match Day Centre service will be suspended but will resume for Sunday's Barclays Premier League fixture at Sunderland.

The game will also be shown live in this country on British Eurosport.

[urlnp=http://mcfc.co.uk/News/Club-news/2010/August/Timisoara-live-on-City-website]LINKY[/urlnp]

[Moonchesteri]

Team news?

[Beefymcfc]

i'm not even nervous. i do remember our uefa campaign from two years ago, and it send shivers down my spine (all those close calls). but we've just come so far since then,

I bet the Scousers thought the same ;-)

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Team news?

Nothing as of yet mate.

[Beefymcfc]

Team news?

Just for you.

Mario Balotelli won't be able to follow up his eye-catching City debut when the Blues return to the European stage against Timisoara on Thursday.

The Italian striker managed to pack plenty into his 35 minute cameo in Romania last week, taking one scoring chance, going close with another, getting booked and picking up a knee injury.

It's the latter that will keep the 20-year-old out of the second leg, with Roberto Mancini keeping one eye on a busy schedule.

"We will have to see how Mario is over the next two days" the Manager declares. "He has a problem in his knee, not much of one, but he won't be available for Timisoara. It's important that we try to get him ready for the Sunderland game.

"He is settling in well but he needs time. It's not easy to change clubs or meet new team mates but I know he's happy here already."

With the trip to the north-east coming up so soon after the Europa League engagement, Mancini admits he is looking to dig deep into his resources against the Romanians before then.

"We must pay attention, we may have won the first game but it's going to be a difficult match on Thursday. I'll probably make three or four changes, because it's impossible to play with the same players every three or four days."

Left-back is one area that has had to be addressed with Wayne Bridge, Alex Kolarov and even possible cover in the shape of the versatile Jerome Boateng all in the treatment room. Joleon Lescott has stepped into the breach admirably over the last two games, with Roberto adding,

"We're very unlucky with our full backs at the moment! We have three injured at the moment, Jerome will maybe be out for another two weeks, Kolarov could be six or seven and Wayne I hope will only be another two.

Joleon has done well at left back, it's not his normal position but I'm pleased with him. He does not do what Bridge or Kolarov do because they are used to playing there, but he kept his concentration and gave two good performances.

The club's owner, Sheikh Mansour, watched City for the first time when they swept Liverpool aside on Monday and the Manager was delighted that the team had put on a show for him.

"I spoke with Sheikh Mansour afterwards, and he was very happy with what he had seen! I'm pleased we were able to put on such a good performance for him at his first match here.

"He's happy with the players, and he was also happy for the City supporters. It was a fantastic night for him and everyone. I think he'll come again, I certainly hope so."

[mr_nool]

i'm not even nervous. i do remember our uefa campaign from two years ago, and it send shivers down my spine (all those close calls). but we've just come so far since then,

I bet the Scousers thought the same ;-)

the difference is that we're playing a weaker team and that we have a 1-0 away win to fall back on ...

If I were a scouser, I would have been nervous as hell before tonight's game. And I would've been right to be so from what it looks.

[Beefymcfc]

Slightly off topic. I seen Mario and friend walking from the Arndale today closely followed by Kiddo running to catch up. Looked like they'd come from the City Store.

[Beefymcfc]

i'm not even nervous. i do remember our uefa campaign from two years ago, and it send shivers down my spine (all those close calls). but we've just come so far since then,

I bet the Scousers thought the same ;-)

the difference is that we're playing a weaker team and that we have a 1-0 away win to fall back on ...

If I were a scouser, I would have been nervous as hell before tonight's game. And I would've been right to be so from what it looks.

I agree mate, no butterflies at all and looking forward to a good game. Can't believe I've missed the first 2 games of the season, but eh-oh, needs must.

[WiganBlue]

Hart Richards Kompany (c) boyata zabaleta de jong swp vieira silva adebayor jo

Subs: given lescott johnson barry tevez and 2 more.

EDIT : Cunningham and Y Toure.

[Whassat]

Goooo city!!1

[ronk]

Hart Richards Kompany (c) boyata zabaleta de jong swp vieira silva adebayor jo

Subs: given lescott johnson barry tevez and 2 more.

EDIT : Cunningham and Y Toure.

Cool. Reckon this would have been a chance for Garrido. Solid enough team with some good options off the bench if needed. I like the mix.

[Beefymcfc]

Hart Richards Kompany (c) boyata zabaleta de jong swp vieira silva adebayor jo

Subs: given lescott johnson barry tevez and 2 more.

EDIT : Cunningham and Y Toure.

Cool. Reckon this would have been a chance for Garrido. Solid enough team with some good options off the bench if needed. I like the mix.

Who???

[mr_nool]

Hart Richards Kompany (c) boyata zabaleta de jong swp vieira silva adebayor jo

Subs: given lescott johnson barry tevez and 2 more.

EDIT : Cunningham and Y Toure.

Cool. Reckon this would have been a chance for Garrido. Solid enough team with some good options off the bench if needed. I like the mix.

ditto. de Jong will have to do the running for Pat on the central midfield. It feels like quite an attacking formation after all.

[craigmcfc]

Great to see Dedryk in again, I was worried he might get shelved this season so chuffed for him

[petrov]

Hart Richards Kompany (c) boyata zabaleta de jong swp vieira silva adebayor jo

Subs: given lescott johnson barry tevez and 2 more.

EDIT : Cunningham and Y Toure.

Cool. Reckon this would have been a chance for Garrido. Solid enough team with some good options off the bench if needed. I like the mix.

I reckon he's busy somewhere in Rome. Are Lazio in the europa?

[brite blu sky]

Hart Richards Kompany (c) boyata zabaleta de jong swp vieira silva adebayor jo

Subs: given lescott johnson barry tevez and 2 more.

EDIT : Cunningham and Y Toure.

Cool. Reckon this would have been a chance for Garrido. Solid enough team with some good options off the bench if needed. I like the mix.

ditto. de Jong will have to do the running for Pat on the central midfield. It feels like quite an attacking formation after all.

Good team that. Full backs will push up and DeJong with cut out any attempts by them to break out. Vieira will just sit there and look for Silva who will get stuck into getting the play going ( playmaker anyone ? haha) Ade and Jo to look for chances and generally fall over for free kicks.

[mr_nool]

Hart Richards Kompany (c) boyata zabaleta de jong swp vieira silva adebayor jo

Subs: given lescott johnson barry tevez and 2 more.

EDIT : Cunningham and Y Toure.

Cool. Reckon this would have been a chance for Garrido. Solid enough team with some good options off the bench if needed. I like the mix.

ditto. de Jong will have to do the running for Pat on the central midfield. It feels like quite an attacking formation after all.

Good team that. Full backs will push up and DeJong with cut out any attempts by them to break out. Vieira will just sit there and look for Silva who will get stuck into getting the play going ( playmaker anyone ? haha) Ade and Jo to look for chances and generally fall over for free kicks.

at least ade has someone tall to aim for when he ventures out wide to deliver crosses ...