Dzeko Worries & De Rossi Rumour and More

Don't Worry. Be Happy!

ESPNFC reported that Edin Dzeko is willing to fight for his place even if Roberto Mancini decides to bring in a new attacking option, such as Radamel Falcao, in the next transfer window. Dzeko, often used as a sub, made 10 appearances this season and he scored some vital goals too, such as equalizer against Southampton and winning goal against Fulham. Personally, I think he is quite underrated and must-keep player, especially City have two erratic strikers, Tevez and Balotelli, Dzeko has been relatively consistent enough throughout his City career. Yes he had a bust-up against Mancini, but it seems all feeble against Tevez and Balotelli's affairs.

De Rossi Talk Back On?

Daniele De Rossi is unhappy under new management, according to the Mirror. It is reported that "the Italy grafter has fallen out of love with his home club Roma after new boss Zdenek Zeman's arrival" City tried to sign him in the summer but his announcement of staying at Rome cooled the speculation of him moving to the Eastland. Great player to sign and his addition will help in Yaya Toure's African Nations commitment in coming January. 

Price Hike

Ajax apparently charging €80 (around £64) per ticket for the Group D match on October 24, €15 more than for their meeting with Real Madrid last week. Although there were no complaint over the ticket price, I think Ajax is trying to take an advantage over City's large travelling support. 

Hopefully I did not make many mistakes as last time. Thank you for reading my article.

Apology on My English

I am so sorry about scrappy English. As you all know, English is my second language and since I joined the Korean Air Force 2 years ago, although I tried my best not to forget how to write, it got rusty. If you guys find my fractured English so disturbing, please come forward and correct me, as I need time and help to amend this problem. Thank you.

Balotelli Out Falcao In? And More

Mario Mario Mario.... when will you learn?

Recent burst out really sums up who Mario Balotelli is all about. He is difficult player to control and this blocks his blossom as a great player he can be. City legend Rodney Marsh commented after his another outburst that he is letting City down and want him to be sold and I completely agree with his view as City gave him too many chances to amend his poor mentality. Prodigy got to turn into genuine player. If not he is another player who was unable to handle his talent, just like Adriano.

You Again?

El Hombre from Colombia

Radamel Falcao was the centre of rumour mills during last summer transfer market and now Atletico Madrid's general manager Miguel Angel Gil Marin admits that they would benefit if Colombian striker Radamel Falcao were to be bought out of his contract in the summer. He expects to sell him for £48m which will solve their current financial problem. Too much? Maybe. But If Balotelli is sold and there is other striker to be bought, it's got to be him. With his glamorous record in Los Colchoneros jersey, especially his hat-trick effort against European Super Cup against Chelsea, he would be suitable candidate for City's attacking department. Below video shows the goals he scored last season for Atletico Madrid

You will be welcomed!

                                                  

Youngster signing for City?

Another transfer news is on Wilfried Zaha. He is 19 years old and currently playing in Crystal Palace and England U-21, who can also play for Ivory Coast, as it is his birth place. Playing as winger and for development sake, he would be a good signing for the future, especially he is only 19. Below video shows his performance in 2011-12 season for Crystal Palace

MCFC v Sunderland (1245 GMT)

Line-up

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Richards, Lescott, Milner, Barry, Silva, Y Toure, Balotelli, Tevez. Subs: Clichy, K Toure, Rodwell, Nasri, Aguero, Dzeko, Pantilimon.

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, Rose, Cuellar, O'Shea, Colback, Larsson, Johnson, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher. Subs: Campbell, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Meyler, Bramble, Saha, Westwood.

Referee: Lee Probert

Match Report

1st half

Clear autumn sky seemed perfect day for football. Unfortunately the match itself didn't level the weather itself. though City cruised the 1st half with ease, due to lack of threat from Sunderland made it even easier.

It was City started with goal, when Tevez was poorly challenged by cuellar just outside of the penalty box. Mario Balotelli and Alexandr Kolarov once again stood and discussed who should take it. It was Kolarov who took it and found left top corner of goal. He now scored 3 times from free-kick spot

Courtesy of MCFC Official Facebook

Then Sunderland had one of few meaningful attack of 1st half, when they got deflected free-kick from outside the box, which then volleyed by Stephan Sessegnon. Although it did not threat Joe Hart at any level, it was not a bad attempt for Beninese international.

There were few occasions where Mario Balotelli and Craig Gardner collided against each other. Most of them were unintentional foul from Gardner's half and Balotelli didn't react that badly as last season.

1st half itself was dull and boring as both sides cancelled each others out. Numerous criticisms were made after Dortmund match but nothing changed in performance wise. Lacking passing accuracy was usual repertoire, positioning looked poor throughout the 1st half. Let's hope for improvement in the 2nd half.

2nd Half 

The team turned inside out in team-talk at the break. Scoring 2 goals were ordinary thing for City, but in the manner of doing so was exquisite 

Second half did not start well for City though, as Barry lost the ball in the middle of the park which allowed Sebastian Larsson to find Steven Fletcher in the box. Luckily Hart saved it but the mood could have swung towards Sunderland if that would have got in.

From that point onward, it was City all the way. Chance after chance, only if they executed them precisely, the score margin could have been larger. 

Courtesy of MCFC Official Facebook

The turning point was substitution ironically. Although Mario Balotelli was trying best to score, his style seemed against City's run of play. Then Sergio Aguero came in and whole thing changed around. City's attacking department suddenly clicked and eventually at 58th minute, Sergio Aguero scored from Alexandr Kolarov's well-timed cross. 

The domination continued until the end of the match and Sunderland seemed powerless to neutralize City's fire power. At 89th minute, Milner's ferocious free kick goal rounded up City's great 2nd half performance and Mignolet seemed relieved to hear the final whistle of the match. 

First cleansheet for City and Joe Hart and unbeaten record continues. Hopefully the season gets better from this match. 

Final Score: Manchester City 3 Sunderland 0

Man of the match: Alexandr Kolarov for being consistent threat throughout the match.

Weekend Preview Match Day No. 7

Courtesy of MCFC Official Facebook

The Borussian Problem

Watching Dortmund match was the most excruciating experience since I started to watch city match in 2007. Especially in the second half, City seemed very lazy at a time and if it wasn't Hart's brilliance in front of countless Dortmund attack, Gotze & Reus in particular, City could have conceded double digit. Frustrating performance all around the squad and I really do sympathize with Hart's anger against the rest of the squad. 

His anger reminds of Iker Casillas in 2006 when he had to make string of brilliant saves to guide them to the La Liga title. But then Real lacked in defenders at that time. Likes of Pavon and aging Helguera & Cannavaro, the team were deemed to concede numerous chances against their opponents. With Kompany struggling and Mancini indecisive on 3 or 4 backs, I could see Hart mourning in every post match interview.

v Sunderland

Remember what happened last time? Well surely not this time right? Especially City are chasing Chelsea with 4 points behind and midweek Champions League misery, this is kind of match that City must win to change the mood in the dressing room.

The away record of Sunderland is particularly encouraging. Since 25th of February, away match against WBA, their record is 7Ds 4Ls. Also, since the investment was made in 2008, City looked pretty dominant against Sunderland at home.

But those facts are meaningless when the squad is beaten up like this. Apart from Joe Hart, none of the core member of title winning squad are firing all cylinders. Kompany looks shaky from the start of season and Silva looked knackered from summer international duty, especially he exhausted prior to the Euro already and rest of the squad haven't been as consistent as last year.

Courtesy of MCFC Official Facebook

Having said that City did get the result out of the current circumstance and they always had someone to deliver something special to win the match and City showed their resilience against their shortcomings during this season.

For Sunderland their talismen are Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher. Fletcher in particular is one to look at, as he is now scoring 7 out of 7 league matches. Hope City's defense are up to the task in early morning kick off.


http://tiny.cc/wiwqlw - Guardian Squad Sheet
http://tiny.cc/dkwqlw - Telegraph on City's plan on new training ground
http://tiny.cc/ymwqlw - Telegraph Match Preview
http://tiny.cc/xpwqlw - ESPN Match Preview
http://tiny.cc/grwqlw - BBC Match Preview
http://tiny.cc/2wwqlw - Independent Match Preview
http://tiny.cc/tn2qlw - Independent's article on Adam Johnson Comment