Barca to meet Man City in last 16
FC Barcelona will meet Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League after finding out in yesterday’s draw. It’s not exactly the draw that Barca wanted, but who said the Champions League was ever easy?
Although the English press are saying that both Manchester City and Arsenal are paying the price for coming second in the group stages, I think that neither Barcelona nor Bayern Munich are too pleased with the draw, as anything can happen. City is on fire at the moment after beating Arsenal FC by 6 goals to 3 at the weekend and the Gunners are still top of the English Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich may think they have it easier than Barcelona, but that’s not usually the case in the Champions League, as anything can happen. This is the magic of this tournament.
Manchester United meet with Greek outfit Olympiacos, Italian giants A.C Milan meet Atlético Madrid, Bayer 04 Leverkusen come up against French side Paris Saint-Germain, Galatasaray pit their wits against Mourinho’s Chelsea, Raúl’s ex team Schalke 04 play Real Madrid, Football club Zenit meet Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal are to play Bayern Munich.
The first legs of the matches will be played on 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th February with the second legs being played on 11th, 12th, 18th and 19th March respectively.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said that drawing Schalke 04 was “neither good nor bad”. The Italian pointed out that the German team have lots of experience and hinted that Real would have to bring their A game in order to go through.
Barca coach Gerardo Martino said that although Manchester City is a “big opponent” with “excellent players”, “Manchester City won’t have liked it either”, referring to the draw against Barcelona.
Meanwhile City boss Manuel Pellegrini said that Barcelona “will be very concerned about the outcome of the draw”.
“I think Barcelona will be very concerned that they have drawn us. They are not the team of two years ago,” said Pellegrini after learning of the outcome of the last 16 draw.
It’s been an interesting last 16 draw and we can expect lots of action. The only problem is that we have to wait till February of next year for the first legs to be played!
City set for talks with Nigeria wonderkid Iheanacho
There is speculation that 17-year-old striker Kelechi Iheanacho is set to seal a deal with City
Nigeria wonderkid Kelechi Iheanacho is set to jet into England to seal a deal with Manchester City, according to reports.
The 17-year-old striker, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal, was preparing for next month's African Nations Championship but has reportedly left the training camp to conclude a deal with City.
Coach Stephen Keshi told the Nigeria Guardian: "Initially a young man came declaring that he was the agent of Iheanacho, but I declined to deal with him until I hear from the family because the boy is still a minor.
“It was soon after my rejection that I got a call from his father who told me that they have got a travel visa to the United Kingdom and that I should oblige him with his son’s release. I did and told the young man to go and do the nation proud at whichever club he finally chooses to settle down with."
Iheanacho was named player of the tournament at last summer's Under-17 World Cup, scoring six goals, including one in the 3-0 win over Mexico in the final, as Nigeria lifted the trophy.
Aguero out for a month
Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge was dealt a setback on Monday when manager Manuel Pellegrini announced that Sergio Aguero will be out for “at least one month” through injury.
The 25-year-old Argentina striker has been in stunning form of late, scoring 12 goals in his last 11 games to take the 2012 champions to within three points of league leaders Arsenal.
However, after opening the scoring in Saturday’s 6-3 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, he had to come off in the 49th minute with a calf problem.
“I think he will be at least one month out,” Pellegrini told a press conference, ahead of City’s League Cup quarter-final tie at second-tier Leicester City on Tuesday.
News of Aguero’s absence falls at an inopportune time for City, who face Fulham, title rivals Liverpool and Crystal Palace over the busy festive period.
Aguero also stands to miss league games against Swansea City and Newcastle United, as well as a trip to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup third round on January 4.
The former Atletico Madrid player has been key to City’s impressive early-season goalscoring form, striking up a partnership with new signing Alvaro Negredo that has seen the two players plunder 32 goals between them in all competitions.
Milner tips Manchester City for glory
Manchester City midfielder James Milner believes that his team his team has what it takes to win back the Premier League crown this season. City won the Premier League for the first time in 44 years under ex-manager Roberto Mancini only to lose out last season to their arch rivals Manchester United. Milner believes that his team’s attacking football this season under new manager Manuel Pellegrini will help them regain the coveted title again.
City are on course to do too as they are placed in a very close 4th position in the Premier League standings, and are only 3 points behind league leaders Arsenal. The Citizens have been particularly impressive at home this season, having won 8 games out of 8 at the Etihad and may have instilled fear in some of their opponents following their annihilation of some of the best teams in the league in Manchester United(4-1), Arsenal(6-3) and Tottenham (6-0).
Milner was quoted in the Manchester Evening News as saying, “t was a big win (at Arsenal) and there’s a lot of games coming up over Christmas in quick succession. The league can look a lot different to how it does before Christmas so it’s important to have that momentum now. We’ve got that and hopefully we can keep playing as well as we have.”
Maicon – from world-class to world-weary at Manchester City
Anis Bazza looks back at Maicon’s inglorious stay at Eastlands…
Maicon’s arrival in Manchester was certainly an odd one. City already boasted arguably the two best right-backs in the league at the time while Maicon’s career was dwindling towards an inevitable return to Brazil. Inter Milan’s desire to get his huge salary off the wage bill meant Mancini couped the ageing Brazilian for as little as £3m. City supporters weren’t without their doubts though as Maicon signed on deadline day.
Maicon started plenty of games for supposedly a third choice right back, including both Champions League clashes against Real Madrid. He was even drafted into his first game against Stoke. It didn’t take long for Blues to realize why Inter had sold him so cheaply. I guess it’s fair to say Mancini, who was familiar with Maicon during his time at Inter, underestimated the effect age had on the Brazilian’s power and pace, two attributes that are so typical of his game.
Maybe I’m being harsh on Roberto. Let’s not forget Maicon was easily the best right back in the world for many years, completely shutting out Barcelona’s Dani Alves from the national team altogether. You could almost go on to say that Jose Mourinho ‘abused’ his abilities during his tenure there; Maicon was that good.
His presence down the right was unmatched in Europe and his contribution towards Inter Milan’s treble-winning season was huge. His decline was just something quite extraordinary, something even Mancini couldn’t have predicted. The only real shame was that Maicon never arrived in the Premier League earlier at his peak.
It’s not to say his move was a complete, uncalculated disaster; Maicon instantly became a valuable asset when Micah Richards suffered a season-ending knee injury against Swansea. Despite being a shadow of the man he was at Inter, Blues managed to soak in some of his intelligent attacking play – easily his strongest attribute.
Studying Maicon up close made you aware of how mentally superior he was to most other right-backs. His movement was excellent and aware while his build-up play was incise and resolute. He even managed to force himself into Mancini’s Champions League first XI. Maicon was well past it at City but you could still pick up signs of his game that hadn’t given way to age and injury.
Despite being absolutely calamitous at the back, Maicon was a joy to watch going forward. His trademark, buccaneering style of attacking play was a joy to behold at times, most notoriously pinning back Gareth Bale at the Etihad only years after Bale had torn him apart in the Champions League.
His presence down the right that game ensured City held onto their 2-1 lead; it’s no coincidence that he was the man to finally successfully implement Mancini’s favoured 3-5-2 formation against Tottenham. The Brazilian’s happy-go-lucky mentality and charming smile even allowed him to establish his own cult following at City.
Unfortunately it was obvious that this transfer was not going to work out. His momentary lapses of concentration became far too common and City fans ended up sitting anxiously every time he played. His defensive brain-farts overweighed his tenacious attacking game while his £100k-a-week wages threatened to cripple City’s ambitions to comply with UEFA’s Financial Fairplay Rules.
Despite not working out, Maicon’s time was not all doom and gloom as some would have you believe. His presence in the dressing room was positive while his versatility allowed Mancini to experiment with his 3-5-2 formation. The dreamy and playful Brazilian could have easily rocked the Premier League a few years ago. Hell, Maicon even put in a few good shifts against Real Madrid and Tottenham at the beginning of the season.
Inevitably he departed for Roma, to no surprise, leaving Manchester City on a free as City’s executives attempted to cut their losses on the Brazilian. It’s saddening that a player as likeable as Maicon would join a list of Brazilians that failed to make the cut at Manchester City.
UEFA Youth League: Manchester City handed mega test
Atletico Madrid v Manchester City
This is one of the most difficult ties to call because of the inconsistency Manchester City have shown this season.
In the Youth League they have produced some great results such as the thrashing of Bayern Munich when the teams met in Manchester but they have struggled domestically, lingering in the bottom half of the under-21 Premier League.
Where City appear to have the edge is defensively because while Atletico Madrid scored an impressive 17 goals in the group stage, they also conceded 14 whereas City only leaked four from six matches.
Mike Tyson trolls Man City on behalf of Man Utd fans
If Manchester United fans needed a bit of a pick-me-up after their dodgy start to the season left them trailing neighbours Manchester City, then here it is courtesy of former boxer Mike Tyson.
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The ex-undisputed heavyweight champion of the world made it apparent that City’s global reach is not yet on par with United’s.
Delivering the sort of knockout blow that a fan of either club would struggle to land, Tyson said: “What’s the difference between Manchester City and Manchester United?
“I’ve been in Manchester for long periods of time and I’ve never heard of Manchester City! This is the first time I’m ever hearing of Manchester City.”
Leicester City v Manchester City: Ritchie De Laet looking forward to taking on Premier League giants in Capital One Cup quarter-final
Ritchie De Laet is hoping to continue his comeback from injury tonight when Leicester City take on Manchester City in the Capital One Cup quarter-final.
The Belgian right-back spent more than two months on the sidelines after a cut on his shin – which was picked up during pre-season – would not heal and eventually infected his shin bone.
De Laet had to undergo surgery to finally correct the problem but made his return on Saturday in City's draw with Burnley.
He managed 70 minutes before being substituted but said he was relishing another run-out against Manchester City tonight.
"I had a bone infection and a bit cracked off that got infected so I needed an operation," he said. "It was an annoying time.
"It was difficult being injured because I had no pain and thought I was ready to train but couldn't because of the infection.
"It was annoying seeing the lads train and I couldn't. But I'm back now and happy to be back in the squad. It felt great to be back. I was blowing a bit after 70 minutes but I think that was to be expected.
"We were playing against a high-tempo team.
"But we had good defenders on the bench so we could bring on fresh legs."
De Laet said the visit of Premier League title challengers City was a test all the players would relish, but said it was not made any more special simply because he is a former Manchester United player.
"It's great that Manchester City can come here but we can't show them too much respect, as we want to progress in the cup as well, and the only way we can do that is by beating them," he said.
"It will be a bit different tonight but we will enjoy the game. I think the league is the priority but it's a good game to play in. It's a team in the Premier League where we eventually want to be as well. It will be a good test.
"It's just another game, I can't really focus too much on being an ex-Manchester United player, I'm just going to enjoy the game."
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[/spoiler]Wilshere waiting on FA decision after City gesture
Arsenal midfielder set to find out on Tuesday whether he will be punished after incident during City game
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere should discover later on Tuesday whether he will face a misconduct charge from the Football Association and a possible ban.
Television cameras picked up Wilshere raising his middle finger in the direction of the Manchester City fans at the Etihad Stadium during the second half of Arsenal's 6-3 defeat on Saturday.
It is understood the FA is gathering more evidence to help with the context of the situation having now received the submission of observations from referee Martin Atkinson and his officials.
Under their own disciplinary procedures, the governing body has until 6pm on Tuesday to lodge any formal charge against the player.
Such sanctions have been implemented in the past as was the case with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, who was suspended for one match, fined £20,000 and warned as to his future conduct after he made a gesture to home fans as he walked off the pitch following a 1-0 defeat at Fulham in December 2011.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted in his post-match press conference that "if he did it and he is banned, then we will have to accept it."
If that is the case, then Wilshere, who could request a personal hearing, will miss the visit of Chelsea on December 23.
Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants to sign Reds defender Daniel Agger, 29, on loan in January to boost Napoli's Serie A title chances in Italy.DSSC
Arsenal and Liverpool are chasing £7.5m-rated Olympiakos and Greece striker Konstantinos Mitroglou, 25. Daily Star
Manchester United are considering a move for Dinamo Bucharest's 18-year-old winger Dorin Rotariu. Sun
Chelsea are leading the chase for Inter Milan's 25-year-old defender Andrea Ranocchia. Daily Express
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is a January target for QPR manager Harry Redknapp, who wants the 27-year-old on loan for the second half of the season. Daily Mirror
Monaco are weighing up a move for 23-year-old Tottenham and England defender Kyle Walker, who only signed a new contract in October. Daily Telegraph
Bayer Leverkusen want Chelsea's 22-year-old Belgian winger Kevin De Bruyne in January, according to the Germans' director of sport Rudi Voller. Metro
Sacked Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas, 36, is in line for a £4.5m compensation package. London Evening Standard
Villas-Boas was sacked after refusing to pick 29-year-old striker Emmanuel Adebayor - despite Tottenham's lack of goals. Independent
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will give former midfielder Tim Sherwood, 44, two games to prove he is up to replacing Villas-Boas. Daily Star
Former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes Sherwood should get the job permanently. Sun
Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay, 41, is on the brink of leaving the club after being told he will not get a "single penny" for new signings in January. DSSC
Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick, 55, came top in a newspaper poll of men West Bromwich Albion fans would like as their new manager following Steve Clarke's exit. Birmingham Mail
West Brom will inform their new head coach that they will have to lead the club to Premier League safety without any money for transfers in the January window. Daily Telegraph
Gianfranco Zola, who resigned as manager of Watford on Monday, could replace Clarke at The Hawthorns. Times
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sunderland and Norwich midfielder Carl Robinson, 37, is the new manager of MLS team Vancouver Whitecaps. Washington Post
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho claims striker Fernando Torres, 29, lacks skill and the killer instinct to score 25 goals in a season. London Evening Standard
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has welcomed Darren Fletcher's long-awaited return from injury but could wait before recalling the Manchester United midfielder, 29, to the national team. Scotsman
Former England striker Michael Owen, 34, is backing calls for a "peace match" between England and Afghanistan at Wembley to mark the end of the war against the Taliban. Daily Mirror
more bollox soon
