Europa League – Preview: Stuttgart host Getafe as Manchester City look to conquer Lech Poznan
Stuttgart host Getafe whereas Manchester City get a chance to exhibit their squad strength against Lech Poznan as both the teams look to get their European campaigns going. Stuttgart will be playing Getafe in what is scheduled
to be their third Europa league match. Regardless of the fact that the German club has not been doing that well in their domestic league, their European form has been impressive to say the least.
Their performances in the UEFA Europa League have been just brilliant. They have controlled every game that they have played thus far in the Europa League. If they continue their form, Getafe can be in for a really tough match
but it all depends on whether the German giants have the stomach to play their first team in the Europa league yet again.
The risk of injuries that comes with three to two matches in the Europa league in midweek along with league football on the weekends is too much for many teams in European football. It has already been proven as the likes of Liverpool
have fielded their second string time not once but twice in Europa League since the start of 2010-2011 season.
However, Getafe can take heart from the fact that Stuttgart have had a torrid time in the past against Spanish sides. Stuttgart’s domestic form might start to reflect on their Europa League hopes as well, the German side is close
to the bottom of the table and already in the relegation zone. Domestically, it looks to be a long and strenuous season for Stuttgart. Getafe will be looking to add to Stuttgart’s horrible record against Iberian sides as the Germans have only won one of their
previous thirteen matches against Spanish opposition.
Conversely, Getafe’s only other encounter against a German club came against Bayern Munich, a tie whose both play-off legs ended in draws for the Spanish Primera Division club. In terms of squad strengths, both the sides are quite
evenly balanced.
Therefore, it is an even contest when it comes to skill and creativity, as it usually is in European competitions, luck is destined to play a massive role once again in deciding the eventual outcome. If Stuttgart secure all three
points, their progression to the next knockout round of Europa League is virtually confirmed.
Meanwhile, in a true David versus Goliath matchup, Manchester City take on Lech Poznan at the Eastlands Stadium in Manchester for their third Europa league qualification match.
City are indeed unbeaten in the competition since it’s commencement in the first week of September but that doesn’t mean that they haven’t had their hiccups. Roberto Mancini’s side drew their last match against Juventus at the
Olympic Stadium in Turin.
The team news for City has already outlined the fact that Kolo Toure is injured for the Blues and thus the Ivorian defender is likely to miss the encounter. Another star who will surely miss the match against Lech Poznan for City
is their Italian striker, Mario Balotelli. Mario has been out with a foot injury and despite training with the side recently, his fitness levels are not considered high enough to feature in the Europa League on Thursday. Mancini has stated his intent to rest
some of his key stars before the weekend’s English Premier League match against Arsenal and thus, it is anticipated that Carlos Tevez will be given a day off for Mancini’s team.
As far as Lech are concerned, anything but a thorough beating at the City of Manchester Stadium will be seen as a successful English trip for the Polish club football champions. One can expect Poznan to lineup defensively against
a particularly offensive Manchester City. If common sense does prevail, City will most likely win the match by a margin of more than a single goal.
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