Manchester City - Manchester United Preview: Top two set for titanic ‘title decider’

 

A win for the hosts will send them top of the Premier League on goal difference, while victory for the visitors will see them within a point of retaining their champions' crown.

 

Manchester City

vs

Manchester United

 

Pre Match
May 1, 2012 12:30 AM IST
Etihad Stadium — Manchester
Referee:‬ A. Marriner‎ 

 

 

 

PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER CITY HartRichards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy Y Toure, Barry Silva, Tevez, Nasri Aguero

MANCHESTER UNITED   De GeaSmalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Nani,Rooney, Welbeck

Manchester City look set to welcome back Micah Richards from injury, while striker Mario Balotelli is also available having completed his three-match ban after his sending off against Arsenal.

However, given their recent form manager Roberto Mancini is expected to continue with Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez up front.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have few absentees other than long-term injury victims Nemanja Vidic, Darren Fletcher and Anderson. Nani, who injured an ankle in training, and Jonny Evans are both doubts, but are expected to be fit for the clash.

However, after watching his side throw away a 4-2 lead against Everton last weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson may decide to shake-up his starting XI. Chris Smalling is being tipped to get the nod ahead of Rafael at right-back while in midfield Ryan Giggs, Tom Cleverley, Ji-sung Park and Ashley Young are all available.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Manchester City have an incredible home record this season. Roberto Mancini’s men have won 21 of 22 games at the Etihad, scoring 51 goals in just 17 games.

• The hosts have already thrashed the visitors in this campaign. They famously won 6-1 at Old Trafford back in October, United’s heaviest ever Premier League defeat.

• In the 6-1 win, City were ruthless in front of goal. They scored six goals from just seven shots on target.

• However, on their own ground it’s a different story. City have not scored at home against United in the league for almost five years.

• Manchester United have already beaten Manchester City twice this season: a 3-2 win in the Community Shield and another 3-2 win in the League Cup at the Etihad.

• In Premier League meetings between these sides there have been six red cards, and Manchester United have been shown a whopping five of them. Jonny Evans (pictured right) was the last man to see red in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford.

• The champions come into the game in red hot goalscoring form. They have scored eight goals in their last two games, four against Everton and four against Aston Villa.

• Manchester United won the title with 80 points last season. They have already collected 83 points to date and if they win their three remaining games they could equal their best ever Premier League points tally of 92.

 

 

 

 

Former cricketers welcomed the nomination of Sachin Tendulkar for a Rajya Sabha seat

Former cricketers welcomed the nomination of Sachin Tendulkar for a Rajya Sabha seat.

 

Ex-players happy at Sachin nomination,saying that it was a great honour and he deserved it for serving the country.

 

Former stumper Kiran More described the government's move as good news for the sports fraternity.

"It's a great news. It's good for the entire sport fraternity. It's undoubtedly a great honour for Tendulkar and he deserves it. He is a great ambassador of the game," More said.

"I hope Sachin would do a great job. There have been a lot of issues in the sport, with cricket being given the top priority. His valuable inputs would definitely help the Indian sport. He may not devote a lot of time to attend Rajya Sabha but he can convey his ideas. I'm looking forward to see him as a Rajya Sabha member," he added.

Another former wicket-keeper, Syed Kirmani, congratulated Tendulkar for being nominated to the Rajya Sabha but gave a guarded response on how the iconic batsman would conduct in his role in the Parliament.

"Many congratulations to him. But it's up to him how he goes about it if he accepts it at all. It's difficult to say whether this move will give us results. It's like you cannot say a great cricketer to be a great coach. It's entirely up to him to manage this. I wish him all the best,"
Former batsman and coach Anshuman Gaekwad said Tendulkar would remain as a straightforward person and not change his attitude and approach to life even if he becomes a Rajya Sabha member.

"It's an honour to be a Rajya Sabha member. Having known Sachin from really close quarters, I don't think he will be able to do justice to the position. He is a straightforward person. I know his attitude and approach. He will not change his ideology or bend himself to do some favour," he said.

 

 

 

Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (Agg 3-3, 1-3 on penalties)

Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (Agg 3-3, 1-3 on penalties): Neuer denies Ronaldo and Kaka in shoot-out as Bavarians set up Chelsea showdown in Champions League final

 

The Bundesliga club have the opportunity to win the tournament at their home ground as they kept their composure to advance to the showpiece event on May 19.

 

 

Bayern Munich overcame an early setback at the Santiago Bernabeu to earn the right to play in the Champions League final thanks to a 3-1 penalty shoot-out win over Real Madrid.

The Bavarians found themselves under the cosh straight away as Los Blancos tried to overturn the 2-1 deficit from the first leg. An early Cristiano Ronaldo double set them on their way but Arjen Robben levelled the tie from the penalty spot just before the half-hour mark.

The affair turned cagey in the second half as neither side wanted to over-commit and with extra time unable to separate the pair, the match went all the way to penalties.

Manuel Neuer saved from both Ronaldo and Kaka before Sergio Ramos skied his kick from 12 yards, allowing Bastian Schweinsteiger the chance to net the winning penalty.

Jose Mourinho made only one change from the side that defeated Barcelona at Camp Nou at the weekend with Marcelo replacing Fabio Coentrao at left-back. Jupp Heynckes recalled eight first-team players to the starting XI who were rested for their 2-1 win over Werder Bremen last Saturday.

Real Madrid came bursting out of the blocks and after Sami Khedira failed to beat Neuer from Angel Di Maria's cutback in the third minute, the hosts were awarded a penalty when the Argentine's thunderous volley hit David Alaba's arm inside the area.
Ronaldo stepped up to take the spot kick and coolly slotted into the bottom-right corner, sending Neuer the wrong way.

Bayern were unfazed and had two great opportunities to restore parity on the night. Firstly, Robben failed to tuck Alaba's cross away from inside the six-yard box and then Khedira stopped Franck Ribery from tapping in off a rebound from Mario Gomez's 20-yard strike with just 12 minutes played. 

 

 

With the Bernabeu rocking, Los Blancos showed just how deadly they can be. In the 14th minute a deflected pass fell to Mesut Ozil and he had enough time to pick out an unmarked Ronaldo on the edge of the box. The Portuguese was clinical as he slid the ball past the keeper at the near post.

Bayern were seeing plenty of the ball and continued to look dangerous as Madrid relied on the counterattack and they were offered a chance to level the tie in the 27th minute.

Pepe recklessly dragged Gomez to the ground inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Robben took on the responsibility and exorcised his Bernabeu demons despite Iker Casillas' best efforts to keep his penalty out.

The unrelenting action continued as shortly after the hour mark as Karim Benzema almost curled a majestic effort past Neuer while Casillas was forced into saves from both Gomez and Robben before the break.

The momentum continued early in the second half as Gomez nodded just wide in the 48th minute and Benzema pulled a sprawling save from Neuer.

It soon fizzled out with the game so delicately poised as neither side dared commit too many men forward, making for a second period that starkly contrasted the first.

Chances were at a premium and the only clear-cut opportunity came in the 86th minute. Robben's pass found Gomez in space in the area but rather than shoot first time, he opted to control the ball which allowed white shirts to get back and swarm over him and the chance went begging.

It ensured the game would go to extra time and after nine minutes of the first period Pepe fed Ronaldo at the top of the box but the former Manchester United man failed to pull the trigger and test Neuer in the only chance of the half.

Esteban Granero was booked for diving as he tried to win his team a penalty in the dying moments of extra time but his side would have plenty as the game went on to a shoot-out.
Alaba netted the opening penalty but Ronaldo failed to match the Austrian as Neuer got a strong hand to the ball. Gomez converted Bayern's second and then Neuer saved Madrid's with an almost identical spot kick from Kaka.

Los Blancos pulled one back as Kroos and Philipp Lahm missed while Xabi Alonso scored but Ramos failed to draw level as he blasted over from 12 yards.

That offered Schweinsteiger the chance to put Heynckes' side into the final and deny Jose Mourinho the chance to face his former club, and he did so, dispatching the penalty with ease.

Bayern can now become the first team to win the Champions League at their home ground when they face Chelsea in the final on May 19.

 

Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea (Agg 2-3)

Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea (Agg 2-3): Torres and Ramires stun Camp Nou to send 10-man Blues into final after Messi misses second-half penalty

 

The Premier League outfit have taken down the Catalans in their own back yard after a performance borne out of grit, determination and a tiny slice of luck.

 

 

Chelsea are through to the Champions League final after an incredible 2-2 draw against Barcelona at Camp Nou in their semi-final second-leg encounter was enough to hand them a 3-2 aggregate victory over the holders.
Roberto Di Matteo's team defended brilliantly throughout, and will now travel to Munich on May 19 despite playing the majority of the match with 10 men. 
The Catalans appeared to be home and dry after goals by Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta either side of a John Terry red card appeared to put the Blues out of the competition before half-time.
However, Ramires put the tie back into Chelsea's hands with a fantastic effort just before the interval.
Lionel Messi missed a penalty early in the second-half, and the Blues combined superb defending with a bit of luck, before Fernando Torres put the icing on the cake by finishing off a counterattack at the death.

 

 

With a 1-0 deficit to overcome after the first encounter in London, Barca coach Pep Guardiola began with an attacking 3-4-3 formation.

It took them only three minutes to carve out the first chance of the match, with Lionel Messi blasting into the side netting after rapid interplay with Alexis Sanchez.

The game plan from Di Matteo was simple as Chelsea, much as they had done in the first leg, looked to defend deep in numbers and relieve pressure on the counter whenever they could.

However, they were forced into a change after only 12 minutes as Gary Cahill was hauled off through injury for Jose Bosingwa.

Barca continued to control the game, and opened Chelsea up once more with a delightful passing move, with only the legs of Petr Cech preventing Messi from opening the scoring.

Cesc Fabregas and Didier Drogba each found the side netting before Javier Mascherano sent an unlikely 25-yard piledriver just over the bar as the home side continued to search for a way through.

The hosts were forced to bring on Dani Alves after 26 minutes for Gerard Pique, who failed to recover sufficiently from an earlier clash of heads with Victor Valdes.

The Brazilian played a part in the opener 10 minutes after his arrival, releasing Isaac Cuenca down the left, whose cutback evaded multiple bodies before Busquets tapped in.

It went from bad to worse for Chelsea, as they found themselves reduced to 10 men within two minutes. Terry appeared to knee Sanchez in the back off the ball, and was shown a straight red card by the referee.

Barca took advantage of their superior numbers, and struck again two minutes before half-time. Messi caused panic with a run at the defence before slipping in Iniesta, who slotted into the corner.

But rather than implode, as so many teams have done against the Catalans, Chelsea responded, out of nowhere, in some style.

A punt from defence by Frank Lampard was latched onto by Ramires, who guided a delightful lob over Valdes to send the Londoners into the break with the advantage on away goals.

Barca were handed a chance to regain the aggregate lead three minutes after the restart, with an apparent trip on Fabregas by Drogba in the box was spotted by the officials, leading to a penalty.

However, Chelsea’s advantage was left intact as Messi smacked the spot-kick off the crossbar.

Sanchez headed an Alves cross just wide and Cuenca was blocked at the last by Cech, as Barca set up camp in the opposition half for the remainder of the match.

But it was proving to be the same story as the first leg, as Chelsea’s doggedness at the back was just enough to keep Guardiola’s men at bay.

They were almost caught out 10 minutes before the end though, but Messi could only strike the post after being put clear with only the keeper to beat.

But the Catalans were out of ideas in attack, and were finished for good by substitute Torresin the final minute of injury time. With almost every Barca player committed in the opposition half, the Spaniard latched onto a pass from defence by Ashley Cole, rounded Valdes and fired home.

Chelsea continue their incredible renaissance under Di Matteo, and will await either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the final at the Allianz Arena on May 19.

 

 

 

 

Manchester derby will decide title

Manchester derby will decide title

 

Sir Alex Ferguson has labelled the Manchester derby as the most important in his career after branding the April 30 encounter at the Etihad Stadium a "title decider".

Ten minutes from the end of the clash with Everton at Old Trafford, it seemed United would be preparing for the ultimate act of revenge after that 6-1 mauling by the Blues in October.

But goals from Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar secured a staggering 4-4 draw for Everton in the latest of a sequence of amazing results this season, which now mean United go to Manchester City knowing if they lose they will surrender the initiative completely.

"Yes, definitely," said Ferguson, when asked if it was the most important derby he has known.

"We've given them the initiative, there is no doubt about that.

"It makes the game at the Etihad a really important game. A decider really.

"There has been an expectancy from City that it could be their decider, but it's our decider too."

Twice in the second half United established two-goal leads after initially falling behind to Jelavic's opener.

Wayne Rooney scored two more goals to take his seasonal tally to 33, one adrift of his best tally, and 190 overall, fourth on United's all-time list.

When Danny Welbeck and Nani scored in the space of two minutes around the hour mark, it appeared victory was secure.

But Ferguson was stunned by the collapse of a team that had kept six clear sheets in its previous seven games.

"There were defensive lapses," he said.

"Their goals were really soft. It was a real shock for us to defend like that.

"It was a travesty of a result in some ways but we made it difficult for ourselves and if you look at our history we keep doing that.

"We've thrown a game away that we should be coasting. But we didn't so we have given ourselves a difficult task."

Everton manager David Moyes said he felt "insulted" his side's character should have been questioned, even though they twice found themselves two adrift just eight days after they were beaten by old rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final.

"I am really disappointed people would question their character," said Moyes.

"It is a bit insulting because I would hate to think people either wouldn't understand me or the culture of Everton FC.

"At 4-2, did I think we were going to get back into it? I thought it would be very tough.

"But I felt we would definitely score one more goal, it was whether there would be enough time to get an equaliser."

Moyes conceded his side enjoyed "a bit of luck" when Patrice Evra's header came back off the post before the late drama.

However, the Toffees chief was making no apologies given he was already furious referee Mike Jones had not halted play in the build-up to United's second goal for treatment to Steven Pienaar.

"I was moaning at the referee because he made a decision for them and didn't equal it up for us," he said.

"I couldn't understand it. It was a hard day from that point of view."

Moyes was delighted with the final outcome though, which keeps Everton on track to finish the season above Liverpool, in addition to providing an unexpected twist in the title battle.

"We have reminded people that we are still here," said Moyes.

"We are not a bad team. Since January we have been a very good team.

"When you lose a semi-final against your local rivals it is tough to take.

"The message today [Sunday] was that we were going to go toe-to-toe with Manchester United.

"Only in the last minute were we hanging on a little bit.

"But how many teams are going to get back into it from a position like that at Manchester United?

"It will make next week's game at Manchester City a bit more tidy."

Barcelona vs. Chelsea: Will history repeat in semifinal ??

Almost three years ago, Andreas Iniesta fired an incredible shot in the nail-biting final moments of a European Champions League semifinal at Stamford Bridge. Scored in the last minute of stoppage time, it secured a 1-1 draw and put Barcelona into the final on away goals.

Iniesta's ecstatic team then took the title in Rome, beating Chelsea's English rivals Manchester United.

On Wednesday, the Spanish champions will return to London to face Chelsea for the first time since that fateful day on May 6, 2009 in the first leg of this season's semifinal.

Unsurprisingly, talk has centered on that goal, with 2010 World Cup winner Iniesta adamant that this time around Barca will not settle for a draw.

"We are going there to get a win, to put in a good performance and commit as few errors as possible," the midfielder said on Barca's website.

"I guess it's inevitable that that goal is being talked about again. It's good to remember it because it was a special and very intense moment -- not just for me, but for all of us. Life goes on though, and Wednesday is a different situation and a different game. I'm very proud of that goal and happy to have been able to have that experience. It's a feeling that is hard to describe."

I guess it's inevitable that that goal is being talked about again. Life goes on though and Wednesday is a different situation and a different game.
Andreas Iniesta, Barca midfielder

However, Iniesta warned that Chelsea's squad -- which now includes his compatriots Fernando Torres and Juan Mata -- will be a a strong opposition despite the London side's difficult first half of the season, which cost coach Andrew Villas-Boas his job.

"They have more experience. They were strong in 2009 and they will be stronger now -- strong, dangerous and intense. That will all be multiplied by the atmosphere at their own ground," Iniesta said

Wednesday's match will be the fifth meeting between the two sides in the knockout stage of the European Champions League, with 2009's dramatic match still looming large in the fierce rivalry.

That game is also remembered for Chelsea player Didier Drogba's foul-mouthed tirade at referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the Norwegian turned down four penalty appeals from his team in the second leg.

The Ivory Coast striker is keen to move on from the outburst which landed him a three-game ban.

"It is not about 2009 because I think about the other times we played Barcelona and it is not only bad memories, we have some good memories as well," he said on Chelsea's website.

"So it is 50-50, even if Barcelona are set to be the best team in the world and they have the best player in the world. It is two games, anything can happen."

It is not about 2009 because I think about the other times we played Barcelona and it is not only bad memories, we have some good memories as well.
Dirdier Drogba, Chelsea striker

Drogba has reason to be confident, with the Blues boasting a perfect record in the Champions League at home this season, winning all five games played.

"The only thing I want is to play on Wednesday with my teammates and make a good result. Barcelona are the winners of last year's competition and nobody expected us to be in the semifinal so we have to show that we deserve to be there," he said.

The match will be particularly loaded for Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola and his Chelsea counterpart Roberto di Matteo, who faced each other as players for the teams in the Champions League quarterfinals 12 years ago.

Again, it was Barcelona who triumphed, beating the Blues 5-1 after extra time at Camp Nou to triumph 6-4 on aggregate.

Champions League Semi Final : Bayern ready for Real test

Munich: Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes faces his former club Real Madrid over two legs, knowing that victory will ensure the German side will be the first to contest a Champions League final in its own stadium.

 Heynckes led Real to the 1998 trophy and knows the pressure on the Spanish powerhouse to claim a record 10th title is immense.

"The obsession to win this trophy was there from the beginning," the 66-year-old said of his solitary year in charge. Heynckes was sacked for finishing the season in a lowly league position — fourth.

Four-time winners Bayern are hoping their strength at home will prove decisive in Tuesday's semi-final first leg.

"Lust, passion, desire for success are decisive," Heynckes said in Monday's press conference. "And I feel that in my team. They have this chance perhaps once in their lives."

Bayern have won 13 of their last 14 games in Munich, where Real have never won in nine attempts. The Spaniards have only one win from 22 visits to Germany — a 3-2 victory at Bayer Leverkusen in September 2000.

History also favors the Germans, who have 10 wins from 18 previous clashes between the great rivals — including eight from those nine games in Munich.

Bayern have prevailed in three from four semifinal clashes, going on to win the title when the sides last met at this stage in the competition in 2001.

It was Bayern's last European title, and the Bavarians are keen to make up for disappointing form in the Bundesliga by reaching a ninth final.

"We'll pull everything out, we'll fight, give everything to make it," said winger Thomas Mueller.

Bayern have all but conceded defeat in the league after falling eight points behind defending champions Borussia Dortmund.

"Our focus now is on the Champions League and the German Cup," said sporting director Christian Nerlinger after Saturday's 0-0 draw to Mainz ended Bayern's 11-game winning run at home.

Munich play Dortmund in the German Cup final on May 12.

Bayern's 1-0 defeat at Dortmund last Wednesday effectively decided the Bundesliga, and Heynckes acknowledged as much by starting regulars Toni Kroos, Franck Ribery, Philipp Lahm, Luiz Gustavo and league topscorer Mario Gomez on the bench against Mainz.

"Rotations were necessary to be fully there on Tuesday," said Heynckes.

Gomez, with 25 Bundesliga goals, will be hoping to add to his Champions League tally of 11.

Bayern winger Arjen Robben, for one, could feel he has a point to prove after scoring 11 goals in 50 league appearances for Real before being deemed surplus to requirements in 2009.

"I hope and believe that he will be particularly motivated against his ex-club," Heynckes said Monday. "He's a player that can make the difference."

But Real are unbeaten in 20 games in all competitions and have only conceded one goal in five away Champions League games so far.

"Everyone knows what's coming. It's the toughest opponent of the season," said Kroos.

Real are four points ahead of three-time defending champions Barcelona in the league, Saturday's 3-1 win at home over Sporting Gijon maintaining the capital side's advantage before Saturday's crucial "clasico" in Barcelona.

Mourinho used Karim Benzema and Angel di Maria as second half substitutes to give his regulars extra rest, while neither Kaka nor Xabi Alonso featured against Sporting, the latter missed out through suspension.

Real called up their entire 23 man squad for Munich, plus reserve team goalkeeper Tomas Mejias.

"For those who say Mourinho is a defensive coach, the numbers aren't bad," said Real's assistant coach Aitor Karanka after his side matched the league record 107 goals it scored during the 1989-90 season.

Like Real, Bayern have no major injury worries ahead of the tie, though Bastian Schweinsteiger is still not 100 percent after recently returning from a nagging ankle injury.

"It's still difficult for me in terms of stamina," he said. "It's all or nothing on Tuesday. We have to go to the limits and beyond, but we can do it with our fans behind us. It won't be easy, and it comes down to mental strength. I hope we show the mentality which marks Bayern out."

Mueller, Kroos, David Alaba, Jerome Boateng and Luiz Gustavo are all one booking from suspension, while no Real player is in danger of missing the second leg.

Bayern's defense will need to be at its best to stop Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Benzema, who have combined to score 107 goals in all competitions this season.

"Real are pure attack," Heynckes said in a Kicker interview.

Ronaldo scored his 41st against Gijon to become the first Spanish league player to score more than 40 goals in back-to-back seasons.

"We have to take advantage of Cristiano's goals, there are no limits to his abilities," said Real left back Marcelo.

Meanwhile Real defender Sergio Ramos is prepared for a busy evening.

"Bayern have very dangerous players of great quality in attack like Ribery and Robben, but success is achieved through the collective," the 26-year-old Spain international said. "Hopefully we can manage a good result there to help get to the final."

Real haven't won the title since 2002 and are also spurred on by the prospect of a possible final against arch-rivals Barcelona on May 19.

The defending champions face Chelsea in the other semi-final tie.

"We're going up against a very tough rival but we know this is the only series standing in the way of the final we want," said Higuain.