The Manchester City (The Citizens) | Special Thread
The Manchester City (The Citizens) | Special Thread
- Thread starter Ab-Titchaz
- Start date
-
- Tags
- manchester city
ndetichia
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 18, 2011
- 27,767
- 6,575
[h=1]
Nasri limps out of Newcastle clash with suspected groin injury[/h] [h=2]The France international had set up the first goal for Roberto Mancini's side but was forced off after colliding with Jonas Gutierrez[/h]Samir Nasri was substituted after just 37 minutes during Manchester City's Premier League match against Newcastle United on Saturday after sustaining a suspected groin injury.
The France international collided with Jonas Gutierrez in the 36th minute before hobbling to the touchline towards the City bench. The 25-year-old was subsequently replaced with Aleksandar Kolarov.
Nasri had assisted Manchester City's opening goal after just 10 minutes as the midfielder received a fine pass from Yaya Toure before squaring the ball for Sergio Aguero to finish.
Moments after Nasri had been substituted, City doubled their lead through Javi Garcia's header from a David Silva corner.
The extent of Nasri's injury has yet to be confirmed, but prior to the match at St James' Park, reports suggested the midfielder was a doubt for the fixture after suffering from a migraine.
Nasri limps out of Newcastle clash with suspected groin injury[/h] [h=2]The France international had set up the first goal for Roberto Mancini's side but was forced off after colliding with Jonas Gutierrez[/h]Samir Nasri was substituted after just 37 minutes during Manchester City's Premier League match against Newcastle United on Saturday after sustaining a suspected groin injury.
The France international collided with Jonas Gutierrez in the 36th minute before hobbling to the touchline towards the City bench. The 25-year-old was subsequently replaced with Aleksandar Kolarov.
Nasri had assisted Manchester City's opening goal after just 10 minutes as the midfielder received a fine pass from Yaya Toure before squaring the ball for Sergio Aguero to finish.
Moments after Nasri had been substituted, City doubled their lead through Javi Garcia's header from a David Silva corner.
The extent of Nasri's injury has yet to be confirmed, but prior to the match at St James' Park, reports suggested the midfielder was a doubt for the fixture after suffering from a migraine.
rasmanyara
Senior Member
- Sep 12, 2011
- 197
- 18
T0memalia vizu City 3 NewC 1
ndetichia
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 18, 2011
- 27,767
- 6,575
[h=1]Mario Balotelli: Man City striker takes club to tribunal[/h] By Simon Austin BBC Sport
Italian striker Mario Balotelli will face Manchester City at a Premier League tribunal in London on Wednesday.
Balotelli is fighting City's decision to fine him two weeks' wages for his poor disciplinary record last season.
The 22-year-old missed 11 games domestically and in Europe last season because of suspensions.
Balotelli appealed against the decision but an independent panel of City's board upheld the penalty. The case will now be heard by a three-man panel.
The striker is expected to appear in person, along with his Italian lawyer and a representative from the Professional Footballers' Association, while City will bring their legal team.
[h=2]Balotelli suspensions 2011-12[/h]
A two-week fine is the maximum penalty stipulated in standard player contracts and, although City refused to comment on the case, they are privately confident of winning.
It is unusual for internal disputes between clubs and their players to go to a Premier League tribunal. The PFA has advised the player throughout and its chief executive, Gordon Taylor, told BBC Sport: "We try to avoid situations like this wherever possible, but the player and club have not been able to resolve this situation."
City began the disciplinary process after Balotelli was sent off against Arsenal in April 2012.
In all, he received nine yellow cards and three reds - one of them retrospective - during the season.
Balotelli was taken off early in the second half of City's 3-2 defeat by Manchester United on 9 December, and then left out of their squad altogether for the 3-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday.
After the match, City manager Roberto Mancini said: "At this moment, Mario is not in good form and for this reason he is at home. It is only for this reason. To get back into the team he needs to work in training and when he plays, he needs to play well."
chanzo: BBC Sport
Italian striker Mario Balotelli will face Manchester City at a Premier League tribunal in London on Wednesday.
Balotelli is fighting City's decision to fine him two weeks' wages for his poor disciplinary record last season.
The 22-year-old missed 11 games domestically and in Europe last season because of suspensions.
Balotelli appealed against the decision but an independent panel of City's board upheld the penalty. The case will now be heard by a three-man panel.
The striker is expected to appear in person, along with his Italian lawyer and a representative from the Professional Footballers' Association, while City will bring their legal team.
[h=2]Balotelli suspensions 2011-12[/h]
- v Dynamo Kiev (March 2011): sent off for flying tackle on Goran Popov. Given four -match ban, meaning he missed first three Champions League games of 2011-12.
- v Spurs (January 2012): retrospective red for stamp on Scott Parker. Four -game ban.
- v Arsenal (April 2012): sent off for two yellows, including tackle on Alex Song. Three -game ban.
A two-week fine is the maximum penalty stipulated in standard player contracts and, although City refused to comment on the case, they are privately confident of winning.
It is unusual for internal disputes between clubs and their players to go to a Premier League tribunal. The PFA has advised the player throughout and its chief executive, Gordon Taylor, told BBC Sport: "We try to avoid situations like this wherever possible, but the player and club have not been able to resolve this situation."
City began the disciplinary process after Balotelli was sent off against Arsenal in April 2012.
In all, he received nine yellow cards and three reds - one of them retrospective - during the season.
Balotelli was taken off early in the second half of City's 3-2 defeat by Manchester United on 9 December, and then left out of their squad altogether for the 3-1 win at Newcastle on Saturday.
After the match, City manager Roberto Mancini said: "At this moment, Mario is not in good form and for this reason he is at home. It is only for this reason. To get back into the team he needs to work in training and when he plays, he needs to play well."
chanzo: BBC Sport
mtotowamjini
JF-Expert Member
- Apr 23, 2012
- 4,525
- 1,171
hivi leo hii unaweza kuona mchezaji kaipeleka mahakamani man utd? au arsenal? au chelsea? it can only happen at man city
ndetichia
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 18, 2011
- 27,767
- 6,575
hiyo yote ni kutokana na man ase na chel hawajielewi..
ndetichia
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 18, 2011
- 27,767
- 6,575
[h=1]Balotelli withdraws appeal[/h]
Mario Balotelli has accepted a fine of two weeks' wages from Manchester City after withdrawing his appeal against disciplinary action taken by the Premier League champions, the club said on Wednesday.
The volatile Italian striker, who was fined by City after a series of well-documented misdemeanours on and off the pitch last season, had been due to have his case heard by a Premier League panel on Wednesday but the hearing was cancelled.
"After amicable talks between the parties, as a sign of respect for (coach) Roberto Mancini, the supporters and the club, Mario Balotelli has chosen to accept a two-week fine levied upon him by the Club and withdraw his disciplinary appeal," a City statement said.
"Mario remains available for selection for all forthcoming fixtures."
Despite the 22-year-old Balotelli's decision to end his dispute and agree to a £340, 000 fine his relationship with the club and Mancini appears to be at breaking-point.
The player who former Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho once branded "unmanageable" was left out of the squad against Newcastle United last weekend after being hauled off in the defeat by Manchester United the week before.
While he has occasionally justified the faith Mancini showed when signing him from Inter for 22 million euros in 2010, Balotelli's goals have been overshadowed by rash tackles, tantrums and bizarre off-field antics such as setting fire to his house after letting off fireworks in his bathroom.
"When you have a player of this quality you can't understand that he could continue to throw this out of the window. This is incredible," Mancini told reporters after City's 3-2 loss against United earlier this month.
The club's patience snapped last season when Balotelli missed 11 of City's 54 competitive games through suspensions, the last of which followed a red card against Arsenal in April.
Balotelli has managed just one Premier League goal this season, although Mancini has continued to support him, playing down suggestions that he may leave in January.
ndetichia
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 18, 2011
- 27,767
- 6,575
[h=4]City midfielder Yaya Toure has been named African Player of the Year for the second successive year.[/h] The Ivorian powerhouse claimed the award at a ceremony in Ghanaian capital Accra ahead of international teammate Didier Drogba and Barcelona midfielder Alexander Song who finished in second and third place respectively.
"I have a lot of emotion," Yaya said. "I think this night is so special for me."
Toure's performances during the 2011/12 Premier League season's incredible finale were cited as the key contributor to this latest honour.
After collecting the award, Yaya was quizzed on his Ivory Coast side's chances of finally winning the African Cup of Nations and he said: "I think this year is going to be tough. I think there's going to be a fight to be at the top."
Didier Drogba, who now plays his football for Shanghai Shenhua revealed his admiration for Yaya after being pipped to first place.
"Being in competition against Yaya and Alex was for me very difficult," said the striker. "For me, I don't mind if Yaya wins. I'm very proud."
The honour is decided by a poll of African national team coaches and technical directors, and the winner's citation read: "Toure's immense contribution in helping Manchester City win their first domestic championship in 44 years saw him pick up Africa's most prestigious individual award."
Yaya has proved time and again that he is the man for the big occasion, scoring two of the most crucial goals in City's recent history against Stoke City in the 2011 FA Cup final and in the penultimate match of the 2011/12 season against Newcastle United.
The last player to retain the award was Samuel Eto'o who has won the title on four separate occasions.
"I have a lot of emotion," Yaya said. "I think this night is so special for me."
Toure's performances during the 2011/12 Premier League season's incredible finale were cited as the key contributor to this latest honour.
After collecting the award, Yaya was quizzed on his Ivory Coast side's chances of finally winning the African Cup of Nations and he said: "I think this year is going to be tough. I think there's going to be a fight to be at the top."
Didier Drogba, who now plays his football for Shanghai Shenhua revealed his admiration for Yaya after being pipped to first place.
"Being in competition against Yaya and Alex was for me very difficult," said the striker. "For me, I don't mind if Yaya wins. I'm very proud."
The honour is decided by a poll of African national team coaches and technical directors, and the winner's citation read: "Toure's immense contribution in helping Manchester City win their first domestic championship in 44 years saw him pick up Africa's most prestigious individual award."
Yaya has proved time and again that he is the man for the big occasion, scoring two of the most crucial goals in City's recent history against Stoke City in the 2011 FA Cup final and in the penultimate match of the 2011/12 season against Newcastle United.
The last player to retain the award was Samuel Eto'o who has won the title on four separate occasions.
ndetichia
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 18, 2011
- 27,767
- 6,575
hata kwenye t-shirt sikuhizi yapo...
ndetichia
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 18, 2011
- 27,767
- 6,575
[h=4]Kolo Toure has hailed Manchester City's fight to the end attitude and compared their winning mentality to that of Arsenal's in their unbeaten 2003-4 season.[/h] The Blues defender, who was part of that Gunners side nine years ago, says his side firmly believe in the importance of never giving up.
"Kolo Toure has seen Manchester City's never-say-die attitude before," reports The Mirror's David Anderson.
"He saw it in one of his former teams. One which also scored late goals and won the Premier League. One that history knows as the Invincibles."
"That Arsenal side refused to be beaten as they went through the 2003-04 season *undefeated.
"Toure feels City are developing that same spirit after they squeezed past Reading thanks to Gareth Barry's stoppage-time winner.
"He says they believe they can score right up to the final second."
Meanwhile, the manager has been speaking about the future of out of favour defender Joleon Lescott, insisting there is still a place for him at The Etihad.
"Roberto Mancini claims Joleon Lescott is still part of his plans at Manchester City after snubbing the England defender again," reports The Mirror.
"Lescott, 30, has tumbled to fourth in Mancini's pecking order of central defenders after being Vincent Kompany's regular partner last season.
"Kolo Toure got the nod ahead of Lescott to start against Reading on Saturday when Mancini rested Kompany.
"Lescott, who has made just seven league starts this season, has been linked with a switch back to Everton in January, but Mancini insists he wants him to stay at the Etihad, despite an expected January clearout."
"Kolo Toure has seen Manchester City's never-say-die attitude before," reports The Mirror's David Anderson.
"He saw it in one of his former teams. One which also scored late goals and won the Premier League. One that history knows as the Invincibles."
"That Arsenal side refused to be beaten as they went through the 2003-04 season *undefeated.
"Toure feels City are developing that same spirit after they squeezed past Reading thanks to Gareth Barry's stoppage-time winner.
"He says they believe they can score right up to the final second."
Meanwhile, the manager has been speaking about the future of out of favour defender Joleon Lescott, insisting there is still a place for him at The Etihad.
"Roberto Mancini claims Joleon Lescott is still part of his plans at Manchester City after snubbing the England defender again," reports The Mirror.
"Lescott, 30, has tumbled to fourth in Mancini's pecking order of central defenders after being Vincent Kompany's regular partner last season.
"Kolo Toure got the nod ahead of Lescott to start against Reading on Saturday when Mancini rested Kompany.
"Lescott, who has made just seven league starts this season, has been linked with a switch back to Everton in January, but Mancini insists he wants him to stay at the Etihad, despite an expected January clearout."
ndetichia
JF-Expert Member
- Mar 18, 2011
- 27,767
- 6,575
[h=4]
Sergio Aguero knows what he doesn't want for Christmas; a repeat of last season's festive visit to Sunderland.[/h] The Blues left the Stadium of Light on New Year's Day 2012 with a shock 1-0 defeat after dominating the match. It dealt a minor blow to title aspirations and the Argentine is determined lightning will not strike twice.
"How could I forget that game," declared Aguero. "In the third minute of stoppage time, they snuck in a very unfair goal.
"We had the chance to take advantage of United's loss but we finally lost in that way. It was a pity. But as I say - football always gives you a chance for payback and now we have that."
Lining up in the Sunderland side looking for a repeat result that will help the Black Cats climb the table is former City winger Adam Johnson and Aguero is wary of the trickster's threat.
"Adam is a great player and a teammate until recently. He knows us and we know him. It will be weird to have him as a rival, but we are all professionals and that won't affect our game - as usual, we'll go out for a win," he stressed.
"We beat them earlier in the season but no game is identical to another, and besides, the Premier League is nothing but tough matches.
"This is a very competitive tournament and that's why it's one of the best in the world. We are all looking for the win and if you let your guard down, it may be snatched away from you.
"We have to play our game, show our best assets, and that's how we can overcome Sunderland and keep the pressure on at the top of the table. Hopefully we will give our supporters a Christmas present in the shape of three more points."
Sergio Aguero knows what he doesn't want for Christmas; a repeat of last season's festive visit to Sunderland.[/h] The Blues left the Stadium of Light on New Year's Day 2012 with a shock 1-0 defeat after dominating the match. It dealt a minor blow to title aspirations and the Argentine is determined lightning will not strike twice.
"How could I forget that game," declared Aguero. "In the third minute of stoppage time, they snuck in a very unfair goal.
"We had the chance to take advantage of United's loss but we finally lost in that way. It was a pity. But as I say - football always gives you a chance for payback and now we have that."
Lining up in the Sunderland side looking for a repeat result that will help the Black Cats climb the table is former City winger Adam Johnson and Aguero is wary of the trickster's threat.
"Adam is a great player and a teammate until recently. He knows us and we know him. It will be weird to have him as a rival, but we are all professionals and that won't affect our game - as usual, we'll go out for a win," he stressed.
"We beat them earlier in the season but no game is identical to another, and besides, the Premier League is nothing but tough matches.
"This is a very competitive tournament and that's why it's one of the best in the world. We are all looking for the win and if you let your guard down, it may be snatched away from you.
"We have to play our game, show our best assets, and that's how we can overcome Sunderland and keep the pressure on at the top of the table. Hopefully we will give our supporters a Christmas present in the shape of three more points."
