Training Tuesday 14/2
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 1:38 pmFirst thing to say is no he wasn't there although there were loads of Sky and BBC folk around,mostly behind the fences.Plus the usual freelance photographers.Add to that it's school half term and plenty of fans around looking for autographs or anything they could get.Busy busy.
Slightly unusual start today, after Mancini had done his initial squad briefing the players all lined up in position (18 of them) against an EDS team. Looked as if it was going to be a very unfair match but the boss just spent a good few minutes talking to them all.I can only assume it was with Porto in mind and focussing on the way they play and their key players.I was watching alongside Neil from BMoon and a special mention for a young man with us getting a special treat inside to watch training with his father. In his City shirt with Billy Che on the back,number 9 and plays for Sale Utd under 9's.Even though it was cold he didnt want to cover up the City shirt and he got his bonus when he got the player's autographs.
Everyone out today fully fit and in great spirits again and after this initial work lead by Mancini he changed it to just work with a team while the others broke away to do a little exercise and some keep ball circles.The work Mancini was doing looked very focussed and specific and went on for a bit longer than usual.At the end the team that played against Villa called it a day.They clearly didn't need too much today and were allowed to rest while the others and the EDS guys (MJ Included) played the game.
Early on Nasri smashed one onto the bar( maybe Costel got a touch) but the early goal came from mario after a nice touch from Assulin. Cool sidefoot finish too. MJ then set up the equaliser for Edin and another cool sidefoot finish.And quickly the 3rd goal was Scapuzzi and all his won work as he flicked the ball past the defender and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Mario then took over and scored two more and was really in the mood.I really hope he is on Thursday if he plays.The 2nd of these two left the keeper motionless as he bent it in with his right foot.That was about it with the goals. Pizarro looked very competent in the midfield,Rekik good at the back and overall it was a decent game with so many of the stars missing.
It was followed by a session where about 8 or so went in pairs to attack crosses from Clichy on one side and Mancini on the other. Good practice for Clichy and he was pretty good but again I thought the star of the show was again Mario closely followed by Nasri.Both finishing excellently.After that they switched to a one touch finish with balls fed to them from the goalline to the edge of the box.This is where it went a bit wrong.For a time there were more shots flying over the trees and into the field behind.Mancini wasnt too happy so came out to stress it was all about timing and showed them how to do it.To be fair he was better than most of them even though his shots were off target.At least they had a bit of control about them and it was under pressure as the players were jeering as he approached the shots.
Slightly unusual start today, after Mancini had done his initial squad briefing the players all lined up in position (18 of them) against an EDS team. Looked as if it was going to be a very unfair match but the boss just spent a good few minutes talking to them all.I can only assume it was with Porto in mind and focussing on the way they play and their key players.I was watching alongside Neil from BMoon and a special mention for a young man with us getting a special treat inside to watch training with his father. In his City shirt with Billy Che on the back,number 9 and plays for Sale Utd under 9's.Even though it was cold he didnt want to cover up the City shirt and he got his bonus when he got the player's autographs.
Everyone out today fully fit and in great spirits again and after this initial work lead by Mancini he changed it to just work with a team while the others broke away to do a little exercise and some keep ball circles.The work Mancini was doing looked very focussed and specific and went on for a bit longer than usual.At the end the team that played against Villa called it a day.They clearly didn't need too much today and were allowed to rest while the others and the EDS guys (MJ Included) played the game.
Early on Nasri smashed one onto the bar( maybe Costel got a touch) but the early goal came from mario after a nice touch from Assulin. Cool sidefoot finish too. MJ then set up the equaliser for Edin and another cool sidefoot finish.And quickly the 3rd goal was Scapuzzi and all his won work as he flicked the ball past the defender and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Mario then took over and scored two more and was really in the mood.I really hope he is on Thursday if he plays.The 2nd of these two left the keeper motionless as he bent it in with his right foot.That was about it with the goals. Pizarro looked very competent in the midfield,Rekik good at the back and overall it was a decent game with so many of the stars missing.
It was followed by a session where about 8 or so went in pairs to attack crosses from Clichy on one side and Mancini on the other. Good practice for Clichy and he was pretty good but again I thought the star of the show was again Mario closely followed by Nasri.Both finishing excellently.After that they switched to a one touch finish with balls fed to them from the goalline to the edge of the box.This is where it went a bit wrong.For a time there were more shots flying over the trees and into the field behind.Mancini wasnt too happy so came out to stress it was all about timing and showed them how to do it.To be fair he was better than most of them even though his shots were off target.At least they had a bit of control about them and it was under pressure as the players were jeering as he approached the shots.