For anyone watching this on tut telly later this afternoon it should make for interesting viewing – and listening. Because, as we know, it’s behind closed doors due to the recent misdemeanours of the CSKA fans – AKA racist fools. As an aside, we don’t wish to tar them all with the same brush, but there really is no place for such idiocy – it’s sooo last century.
But the lack of crowd should mean that we can hear pretty much everything that the players say. Manchester City will be looking for a win against a side who haven’t been consistent in European competition.
City have a virtually clean bill of health, save for Frank Lampard and Samir Nasri. The only other slight concern is over Mangala, who has tweaked a thigh muscle. But he will hopefully be ok to resume his budding partnership with Mr.Kompany.
Manchester City will probably use James Milner again as he offers the sort of defensive cover that can be vital in such games in Europe. And, in general, the team should have a very familiar look.
Here’s our best XI: Manchester City fans: agreed?
Hart, Clichy, Mangala, Kompany, Zabaleta – Silva, Toure, Fernandinho, Milner – Aguero, Dzeko
