Friday, October 23, 2015

One City! Two Teams!! Separated by Color…




It’s a barnstorming weekend in Manchester, One city! Two teams!! Separated by color; one is red the other is blue. The race for EPL title continues as Super Sunday sees the first crunchy Manchester derby of the season between City and United at Old Trafford.
Though it is still early but the Manchester derby in recent times are matches that decides the destination of the Barclays Premier League title especially this particular one which could see City drop from the 1st position on the log table and United going top if they win and hope Arsenal falls to Everton or that the Gunners win with slim Margin.

The Manchester derby is one of the most passionate rivalry in the EPL, a derby that always seems to be quicker, with a bit more needle, the elbows are a bit sharper, all this hostility extends beyond the players on the field of play, the first Manchester derby of the 2012–13 season was won by Manchester united, Rio Ferdinand was hit by a coin thrown by a fan, causing Ferdinand to suffer an injury near his left eye. Another fan invaded the pitch and attempted to confront Ferdinand, only to be restrained by Joe Hart.
In 2012/2013 season when City beat United 1–0 with Vincent Kompany scored a header just before the half time whistle, there was also a spat between City boss Roberto Mancini and Alex Ferguson after a challenge on Danny Welbeck by Nigel de Jong, the derby of colors goes beyond the players, the manager and fans makes it a high tempo match.
It will be a war but a footballing war between the Manchesters’ that will bring not just the City to a standstill but the whole world with much more than local bragging right at stake, whether Manchester is Blue or Red.
Both teams have struggled recently but this is a rivalry contest it has nothing to do with recent form most times, the Eastlands are Once labelled the 'noisy neighbours', have won six of their last eight Manchester derbies in league competition (L2) - prior to this run City had won six of their previous 42 derby games v Man Utd with City looking for their 50th competitive win in the Manchester derby (W49 D50 L69).
A total of 169 competitive games have been played between the two bitter rivals but United have enjoyed the overall record of victories with 70 wins, 50 draws and City with just 49 victories, None of the last 12 Manchester derbies in all competitions have ended as a draw (five United wins, seven City wins) and the last 10 Manchester derbies in all competitions have seen 41 goals scored (4.1 goals per game).

Sunday's encounter at Old Trafford will be a huge test for both team, Wayne Rooney has scored 11 goals in Manchester derbies; more than any other player in this fixture but the captain is struggling to find form while Aguero has scored eight goals in eight Manchester derbies, City captain, Vincent Kompany is also struggling as he has been left out of the team due to injury and form but could make a comeback at Old Trafford.
Some players will be experiencing their first Manchester derby on Sunday, like Morgan Schneiderlin, Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Anthony Martial and Nicolas otamendi
Man city will be without their midfield wizard David Silva who just returned from injury but was sent back, the Spanish midfielder was caught on his ankle another 2-3weeks on the side line for him also on the injury list is City talisman Sergio Aguero, the Argentine injure his left harm string so the new lads who will be playing their first Manchester derby will step-in for them. Raheem Sterling and Kelvin De Bruyne will have to proof the big money move to city was justified.
Anthony Martial has kept critics quiet with his flying form for the Red Devils but will have to continue his fine form, playing different roles, if he is not scoring he sets the goal up. The French youngster form since joining the team helped Man united in the League and Champions League
Yet it’s not always the best players who decide the game, a defender can be caught in possession, a goalkeeper can make a mistake or the manager making a wrong decision. The elements of a Man City-Man United derby are so dynamic and varied that goals can come from anywhere, mistakes can come from anywhere.

No comments: