Possible XIs:
CITY:
Hart,
Maicon, Kompany (c), Nastajic, Kolarov
Silva, Garcia, Yaya Toure, Sinclair
Dzeko, Aguero
Subs :
Panti, Zabaleta, Lescott, Milner, Barry, Tevez, Balotelli
Manager : Roberto Mancini
DORTMUND :
Weidenfeller
Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer
Perisic, Kehl, Reus, Gotze, Gundogan
Lewandowski
Subs:
Langerek, Santana, Bender, Leitner, Blaszczykowski, Großkreutz, Schieber
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
PREVIEW
As Lilian Thuram cradled the heated ball from UEFA’s sack, Roberto Mancini - face set against the cruel winds of fate, fortune and the seeding system – must have feared his Champions’ League hex would persist. It is the seeding system, meticulously designed to prevent any challenge to the hegemony of the clubs at Europe’s top table, which has thrown the champions of England and Germany into the same group for the first time in the format’s history (no research has been carried out).
The heroes of the Westfalenstadion (80000+) head to Eastlands (48000) on the back of a 5-0 win. Key players are rested and Dortmund, having amassed the highest points total in Bundesliga history last season, are determined to add Champion’s League credibility to their impressive list of accomplishments. As Mancini crouched, anguished, on the touchline, Dortmund’s Jurgen Klopp was chugging a cigar, brandied up and measuring the trophy cabinet following his side’s historic league and cup double. If the comparison seems stark, one need only reflect on the fact that this was Dortmund’s second title in succession, a feat memorably sealed by Mourinho’s Chelsea in the 05-06 Premier League campaign but hardly dreamt of in Manchester following City’s indifferent early season form. Roberto must be a little tired of Jose’s shadow and will need to ensure that there’s something in reserve for Saturday’s visit by Sunderland if he’s to get on course for emulating the Special One.
If it was Aguero’s rifled winner that sent Il Mancho’s P45 from the fax machine to the shredder, it could be his contribution here that defines City’s Champion’s League campaign. Performances will be required from Kompany and Silva, both having failed to ignite as they did last year, as well as Yaya Toure, the only man who thinks City can take home the trophy and probably the only man who could make it so.
“Who are we? Klopp Army”
Dortmund will look to Lewandowski to make an impact. It is early to speculate on Mancini’s back four but it is certain that the big Pole’s power and movement will cause problems. With Shinji Kagawa gone, Dortmund could have had a creative vacuum to fill but in Reus and Gotze they have two homegrown talents the envy of Europe. The hope, from a Blue point of view, is that the lumbering figures of Hummels and Subotic will be out turned and twisted by City’s phalanx of skill dwarves.
“Sad to leave”
Prediction: 2-1
City are veterans of must win situations following their incredible end of season run to the title. Dortmund won’t be intimidated and aren’t short of quality but City’s home form should stand them in good stead.
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