Man City ‘v’ FC Copenhagen – Preview

After a thoroughly uplifting and exhilarating draw away at Liverpool on Sunday, Man City host FC Copenhagen in the second leg of their UEFA Cup tie. The first encounter, last week in Denmark, ended in a 2-2 draw, so both sides still have a wonderful chance to progress. City will be favourites to advance due to the couple of away goals they scored, but the visitors will think they still have a good opportunity to cause an upset.The Blues progressed from Group A after finishing top of the table, a position which they are normally unaccustomed to, whilst the away side, also known as the the Lions, ended in third place in Group G.

Team News

Blues boss Mark Hughes will be hoping his side continue with the spark, no pun intended, that was so evidently showing against Liverpool. The former Man United (boooooooo), Barcelona and Bayern Munich striker will surely call upon the services of Shuan Wright-Phillips, the diminutive-in-size, but with the heart of an obese lion, midfielder, since his league suspension doesn’t carry into European matches. ‘Nifty Nige’ de Jong is unfortunately unable to play as City are only allowed to register three new players in their squad since the group stages: Shay Given, Wayne Bridge and Craig Bellamy. As a result, versatile Belgian international Vincent Kompany, playing despite a toes injury, will move forward into his defensive midfield role, a position he occupied with great success earlier in the season.

The dwarf will start

Copenhagen are in the midst of a winter break at the moment, so the visitors will be hoping to catch them unawares. The home side, do however, possess players of great ability and ones who can cause problems for any defence. Key midfielder Libor Sionko is a Czech Republic international with 32 caps to his name, along with a short spell at Rangers from 2006 – 2007. Another name that will be familiar to may people is that of Jesper Grønkjær, formerly of Ajax, Chelsea, Birmingham and Atletico Madrid. The ridiculously quick winger possesses Usain Bolt-like pace and is sure to cause numerous problems if he plays, although his participation in this match is unlikely as he recovers from a serious injury. Danish defender Niclas Jensen will hopefully start for Copenhagen, as he would be facing his former club. The cultured left-back played 51 times for City, scoring two goals, one of which was a superlative 25 yard volley from outside the area against Leeds.

My Team

                                                    Given

Richards                Dunne                               Onuoha           Bridge

                             Zabaleta                            Kompany        

SWP                                             Ireland                              Robinho                        

                                                   Bellamy           

Subs: Hart, Garrido, Logan, Caicedo, Elano, Sturridge, Evans

Key Battles

Niclas Jensen ‘v’ Shaun Wright-Phillips

Jensen will play against his former club and will face SWP, who was surprisingly not missed against Liverpool. The tricky winger will hope to use his pace and skillage to his advantage, whilst Jensen will look to limit SWP’s threat.

Jensen, pictured here in his City days, will mark his former team-mate, Shaun Wright-Phillips

Libor Sionko ‘v’ Vincent Kompany

It will be interesting to see how Kompany fares in his midfield role against the vastly experienced Sionko. The Belgian has done well at the back and will look to transfer his form further up the pitch.

Ulrik Laursen ‘v’ Craig Bellamy

Copenhagen captain Laursen had a short spell at Celtic from 2002 – 2005, so will possibly have seen the talents of Bellamy before, since the fiery Welsh striker had a loan spell at the Hoops around this time. After starting his City career brightly, Bellamy has been lacking in support in recent matches, which is why I would advocate playing Felipe Caicedo to give him some much needed help.

Verdict

Man City 3 – 1 FC Copenhagen

Another exciting European match for the Blues, which culminates in a hard-fought victory. Goals to be scored by Ailton Almedia, Craig Bellamy, Robinho and Stephen Ireland.