Manchester City ‘v’ AaB Aalborg – Preview
Following a superb victory against Aston Villa last week, Man City have the chance to continue their brilliant home form when they entertain AaB Aalborg in the last 16 round of the UEFA Cup. A two-legged tie will determine which team progresses to the quarter finals, so the Blues will hope to gain the upper hand to take to Denmark in the second leg. The Danish side, with their majestic full name of Aalborg Boldspilklub, eased comfortably past the challenge of Deportivo La Coruna in the previous round and have experience of travelling to Manchester for a European competition, having already gained a surprising point when facing City’s bitter rivals, Manchester United, in the Champions League group stages.
City have performed with greater assurance in the UEFA Cup, soon to be called the Europa Cup, than they have done in the Premier League, and a number of well-respected bookmakers have now installed the Blues as favourites for this prestigious competition. City have already overcome two Danish sides to get to this stage, namely FC Midtjylland and FC Copenhagen, so will be coming up against a well-known style of football. The visitors are behind Copenhagen in the Danish table, so judging by how easily City won in the last round, Aalborg should pose a limited threat, but we all know matters concerning the Blues are never that straightforward.
AaB Aalborg travel to Manchester yet again for a European match
Team News
Blues boss Mark Hughes will have to make at least one change from the side that defeated Aston Villa, with ‘Nifty Nige’ de Jong ineligible for this competition, having already featured in it for Hamburg earlier in the season. Bulgarian striker Valeri Bojinov is also ineligible for the tie having not been registered by the Blues. Brazilian superstar Robinho is 50/50 for the match, having missed the previous game with an injury. Fiery Welsh striker Craig Bellamy is definitely out of this match, and possibly the return leg, with a knee injury that is expected to sideline him for a total of two weeks. In defence, Micah Richards is pushing for a recall after missing the Villa game, but his place remains in doubt following the sterling performance at right-back of Argentinean hard-man Pablo Zabaleta.
AaB Aalborg are an extremely capable side, who were in this year’s Champions League, finishing third in their group behind Man United and Villareal. They recorded an impressive 6 – 1 aggregate victory over Spanish side Deportivo in the round of 32, so are certainly no mugs. Their manager, Magnus Pehrsson, formerly of Bradford, is able to call upon the services of Jamaican forward Luton Shelton, once of Sheffield United, who has a remarkable scoring record for his country, having notched 27 goals in just 42 appearances. He has also scored against City in the past, having given Sheffield United the lead in an FA Cup tie a couple of seasons ago, with a goal now infamous due to the presence of umpteen balloons on the pitch at the time.
Luton Shelton celebrates after scoring in an FA Cup tie against City.
P.S. A sight I never want to see again – Gelson Fer****** in a City shirt, lurking in the background
My Team (4-3-3)
Given
Zabaleta Dunne Onuoha Bridge
Kompany
Elano Ireland
SWP Robinho
Evans
Subs: Hart, Richards, Garrido, Logan, Caicedo, Vassell, Weiss
Key Battles
Shay Given ‘v’ Karim Zaza
Since signing for City during the January transfer window, Given has firmly established himself as the number one, impressing on many occasions, none more so than on his debut against Middlesborough. He’s a very commanding figure in net, and in such a crucial game like this, his experience will be invaluable. Zaza is a Moroccan international goalkeeper who started his career as a striker, but was moved back due to his rather powerful temper. He starred for City’s previous UEFA Cup opponents, FC Copenhagen, for a five-year period and has made 57 starts for his current side.
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Karim Zaza will hope to keep a clean sheet for the visitors
Shaun Wright-Phillips ‘v’ Anders Due
SWP was an instrumental figure in the victory against Aston Villa, with his pace and trickery causing numerous problems for the Villains’ defence. If he is on his game against Aalborg, then the visitors can expect to be tormented. Anders Due, a name which obviously gives itself to puns, due to its spelling (sorry, had to do that), is a goalscoring left-winger, who notched two goals against Deportivo and was a constant threat with his ability to cut inside. Whoever causes more problems out of these two wingers could influence the game in their sides’ favour.
Richard Dunne ‘v’ Luton Shelton
Richard ‘I Love Chocolate’ Dunne has been in terrific form since his return from suspension, displaying all the capabilities which won him ‘Player of the Year’ for a record-breaking four consecutive years. He will be up against Shelton, a live-wire and unorthodox forward, who made his Premier League debut against Man United.
Verdict: Man City 2 – 0 AaB Aalborg
City to continue their magnificent UEFA Cup form with a sparkling home victory, giving them a comfortable lead going into the away leg. Goals to be scored by Stephen Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips.
I agree, should be a win for city. Yet, as you said, we’ll make it hard for ourselves as we have done many times this season. It’ll probably end up with us deserving to score 20 odd goals over the two legs and winning on penalties.
I knew i hated them for a reason
1) they didn’t thump unites
2) Those bloody balloons and Luton Shelton (anyone dares bring any balloons on Thursday)
Anyone apart from me going?
Good review Steven, I agree that you should win but I think they can cause you a few problems. Do all Danish teams really play the same style of football? Isn’t that a bit like saying Stoke and Arsenal play the same style of football?
Cheers Ricky and VJ,
Yes, I’m going as usual.
I get your point, but I’d started the sentence and didn’t have anything to finish it with, so I made something up. I was under perssure to write a preview because in the drafts, there is another preview for this game by ……. rish.aggarwal!!!
Haha! I knew that would rush you Steven! I might not finish it but if I do its gonna be Fernandes lol! i.e. shizzle so don’t expect much
Steven, good preview, especially like the bit which says you think Ced will start up front.
I am going, but in the nice big blue comfy seats with dad and family friends, i’ve always wanted to sit in the big ones!
See you tomorrow!
p.s my prediction is going to be 3-1 to….CITY!
Goals to be scored by >>> Ched, Elano, SWP and Shelton
Although no doubt this score prediction will change many times before Thursday!
the seats in hospitality? If yes then they are awesome, great view while watching the beautiful game of football (not as beautiful as rugby however) in extreme comfort, separated, yet together with the rabble of city fans, together you share the hatred of the referee, celebrate the thirty yard strike from Gelson Fernandes and eat the chicken balti pie at half time, albeit in different comforts.
Sorry there, don’t know what came over me.
Not bad seats, i met Sven when i sat there (pre-city era)
Ricky, that made me laugh!
thanks matt, i know that i have made one person laugh in my life
IM WEARING THAT SHIRT TOMORROW! AHAHAHA Soo…..you can’t! Deal?
ok, but if you wear it again this week…….
DEAL
I’m going to write an article now on how the players have performed this season!
good for you, i might start to do some geog revision for a test tomorrow period 1
Steven, read my blog!
Hi Ste ven
At last, I can genuinely award you kudos again! Your pun on the name ‘Due’, though on the surface an obvious one, contains a delightful depth in its humour – once you recognise the fact that it is ‘a name which obviously gives itself to puns’, it could be assumed that you will choose not to explore these funnies. It is with an air of grace and boyish cheek, then, when you subtley employ one of the possible jokes that surround his name. This surprising, yet endearing, tongue in cheek humour put a smile on my face. Congratulations.
I think you’er missing a full stop somewhere but I haven’t time to look back and find where… 24 has started! Cya 2moz
I love Plattsy!
I love Plattsy as well!
You’ll have to ask him about my goal!
Who doesn’t love plattsy????
Will do Although, I’m guessing you’ll tell me tomorrow.
Everyone loves Plattsy, aka GOD
Though, I have to admit British football is a level or two above Danish standards you´ll all be surprised tomorrow.. Did any of you actually watch any of AABs games?
Prepare for your second uefa defeat at home this season to a Danish side.
Thanks ‘The Dane’,
I’m sure AaB Aalborg ae a more than capable side, having already drawn against United this season. I’m just basing my opinion on city’s home form and the fact that you are beneath FC Copenhagen in the league table.
who was our first defeat at home to a danish side?
was it middleearthjitland?
something like that
midgetland???
Steven, I would like to change my score please >>>
Man City 3 – Aab Aalborg 1
Robinho, Ireland and SWP for us, Anders Due for them
Merci
Lovely 9 points for me
Matt – 4 points
Plattsy – 7
Dan – 2