Europa League: Manchester City vs. Lech Poznan Match Preview
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has been in the news lately denying rumors that he is interested in buying unsettled Manchester United star striker Wayne Rooney. Although City is not usually short of strike options, most of
its strike force is at the moment either injured or unavailable ahead of the team’s Europa League clash with Lech Poznan on Thursday.
Italian striker Mario Balotelli (known by the nickname “Super Mario”) is out with a knee injury and is not expected back in action before the end of the month (in time for City’s match against Arsenal). Brazilian striker Joao Alves
de Assis Silva (commonly referred to as “Jo”) is nursing an ankle problem and is also doubtful for this trip. Meanwhile, Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz is not registered in Europe.
Mancini also announced that he would be resting his most important player, Argentine Carlos Tevez, who has been the main scorer in the League this season, scoring 7 goals out of 12. Mancini says he wants to protect his star striker
from burnout.
That leaves Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor as his best option. Adebayor has been frustrated with his lack of match practice as he has been restricted mostly to substitute appearances this season, and is now looking to move
to Italy in the January transfer window. Although he did not show his best performance in Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Blackpool, Mancini praised Adebayor’s effort, saying, “I was happy with Manu in our last game.” Instead, Mancini expressed displeasure
with City’s defenders and urged them to improve and work very hard to maintain pressure on League leaders Chelsea.
If City can avoid defeat in its match against Lech Poznan, it will be the team’s ninth match without defeat at home in Europe. But they cannot afford to relax in the face of an unpredictable Poznan side. After drawing against Juventus
and beating Salzbury, Poznan is third on the League table and will be looking to shock City on Thursday. Mancini said of his opponents: “We must concentrate because Poznan are a good team and played very well against Juventus. If we want to win we must play
very well. “
City will also miss defender Kolo Toure in this match. Kolo failed his fitness test as he has not yet fully recovered from a hamstring injury. His brother Yaya Toure will play and will be a key man in the mid-field.
Mancini would be looking to bring in a few changes to keep the squad fresh for the Darby match with Manchester United. Patrick Vieira, who has so far been restricted to cameo appearances, is expected to make an entrance. Shaun
Wright-Philips is also expected in place of Adam Johnson.
Meanwhile, Lech Poznan manager Jacek Zielinski’s job is under scrutiny as the six-time Ekstraklasa champions have slipped to fourteenth place. A good performance in the Europa could salvage some pride and even save the manager’s
job.
The two players City should watch for are Artjom Rudnev and Semir Stilic. Rudnev is the team’s top goal-scorer, with four goals to his name. Six-foot tall Stilic, a very strong attacking player, has already attracted interest from
Arsenal.
One notable absentee for Poznan will be Jacek Kielb, who is out with a cold. Jakub Wilk has been included in his place at the last moment.
City should be able win this game with ease; however, if taken lightly, Poznan has the ability to get a result at Eastland.
Tags: