Hamburg v Manchester City (Uefa Cup QF, 1st leg)

Xavi6

Bridge and Kompany out injured, Bojinov and De Jong unavailable, Ireland a major doubt.....preparations are not going well.

On a more positive note, Petrov, Benjani and Hamann played against Newcastle last night in a reserve game (Petrov set up a goal for Benjani).

I would love an away goal. A score would be absolutely fantastic, but we are really going to be very lucky to get out of there without a defeat.

Team selection is a serious problem. No Bridge would usually see Zabaleta drop back, but with no Kompany or De Jong we have feck all defensive midfielders. That means Garrido will probably play and that doesn't fill me with any confidence. Superman is very doubtful which makes things even worse.

Possible team -

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Given

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Richards

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Dunne

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Onouha

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Garrido

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Zabaleta

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Fernandes

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Elano

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Wright-Phillips

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Robinho

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Bellamy

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Subs: Hart, Benjani, Sturridge, Petrov, Berti, Etuhu, A N Other

DubDani

Hamburg isn't doing any better at the moment on the injury side of things. They will probably be without 11 players.

They will be without Silva, Guerrero, Reinhardt, Choupa-Moting, Demel, Atouba, Castelen and probably Benjamin (all injured), Boateng (suspended), Tavarez and Streit (Cup tied).

There is slight hope for Benjamin and Guerrero, but tbh I don't think they will play. Therefore they are seriously low on defending players.

They will probably play sonething like this (if Benjamin is fit):

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Rost

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Benjamin--Matthisen--Gravgaard--Aogo

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Jarolim

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Rincon

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--Trochowski

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Jansen---

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Olic

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Petric

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But whoever plays and whatever the result is I am pretty certain that the game won't be decided in the 1st leg. Hamburg are doing very well away in Europe this season (5 wins and only 1 draw) and I won't count them out of getting a result in Manchester.

Xavi6

Soooooo nervous about tonight.

Some good news on the injury from from MCFC.co.uk -

City's hopes of success in the UEFA Cup look set to be boosted by the return of Martin Petrov, manager Mark Hughes has stated.

The Bulgarian winger's season has been interrupted by a knee injury picked while on international duty in early October, but he is with the squad as the final preparations for tonight's quarter final against Hamburg are made.

Given the 30-year-old's lengthy absence, it is easy to forget that he has played and scored in this season's European odyssey. The former Atletico Madrid man kicked off the Mark Hughes era with the opening goal of the tie against EB/Streymur way back in mid-July, and the Manager is eager to see him in action again.

"Martin is an outstanding player," Hughes asserts. "He gives you great quality, not just with his knowledge of the game but his ability to deliver great balls into good areas.

"We have missed him this year. If we had the option of Martin before, I am sure he would have had a positive impact on games.

"To see him play against Newcastle for the reserves was a great thing for everyone. He had 45 minutes of good play. "He looked sharp and he looked ready. He is very much in our thoughts for the Hamburg game."

ironictoaster

It should be a good match, is it on Setanta?

mike65

ITV 4 have it, Setanta have got Shaktar Donetsk v Marseille

EDIT! yes they have after the Shaktar game.

Would have hoped to bet on Hamburg but with thier injury list I can't with condifence.

Xavi6

SBS over here are showing Werder v Udinese :rolleyes:

bigstar

its tv3 as well, i think we'll ok,i think we can get an away goal and be set up nicely for the home game.

eirebhoy

It would be brilliant to see Dunne lift a European cup. And also boost the reputation of one of the worlds best goalkeepers. In fact of all the players in the Ireland team Dunne and Given are probably top of the list I'd like to see recognised more around Europe.

Also had a half day today so perfect for a nice early soviet kickoff too.

pierrot

As a United fan, I'd just like to say come on City, great to see the English teams in Europe and great for Dunne, Ireland and Given if they do well.

Mr.Nice Guy

I'll be rooting for City as well but I reckon they will have a tough time as Hamburg are a good outfit and City tend to be very dodgy away from home. If Ireland plays I reckon City can get a good result.

Xavi6

Just over half an hour to go and I'm nervous as fook.

City in Europe in April is unheard of in my lifetime.

Xavi6

Team:

Given
Richards
Onouha
Dunne
Bridge
Zabaleta
SWP
Ireland
Bellamy
Robinho
Sturridge

Subs: Hart, Garrido, Petrov, Elano, Fernandes, Benjani, Berti

Superman and Bridge play. Hope they're fully fit.

That's a seriously attacking line up!

Mr.Nice Guy

That's really attack-minded. Bit of a gamble from Sparky!

Xavi6

Gonna be -

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Given

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Richards

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Dunne

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Onouha

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Bridge

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Zabaleta

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SWP

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Ireland

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Bellamy

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Robinho

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Sturridge

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Headshot

best of lucky to city

5-1 on S.Ireland to score anytime

Xavi6

I never EVER bet on City

mike65

Quite right, its hard to enjoy a game with cash on it.

That line up looks great, and yet....:p

Headshot

Xavi6 wrote: »

I never EVER bet on City

totally agree with ya xavi

iv only betted on utd once this season

never again

JPA

It's good to see a manager going for it but that line up seems far too attacking.

Hamburg are very good. I would have thought Hughes would try to keep it as tight as possible given citys poor away form and try to win the tie in the home leg.

Mr.Nice Guy

Anyone know the last time three Irish players featured in a European quarter-final?

Xavi6

With Kompany and De Jong out we simply don't have the defensive minded places to go in there.

He's just playing the best he has available. I'd rather that than Fernandes play.

ctrl-alt-delete

Great start,

those 2 players do link up well!

Mr.Nice Guy

F*cking class! He is Superman!

Headshot

Headshot wrote: »

best of lucky to city

5-1 on S.Ireland to score anytime

thank you very much

what a start

mike65

Fantastic! Headshot scores!

LuckyLloyd

Goal of the season, seriously! What a ****ing goal by Ireland. Unreal!

Xavi6

YESSSSSS!!!!!!!111

SlickRic

robinho and ireland *drools*

Xavi6

I'm shaking. What a goal!

Best one-two ever!!!

Headshot

already reminding me of last night game (liverpool v chelsea)

jester77

Great start for City, half regretting turning down tickets for this one now

JerryHandbag

I go out for 2 seconds to make a cuppa and I miss what sounds like a great goal :mad::rolleyes: Well done Stevie I

redout

Great goal from Ireland

1 - 0

mike65

already reminding me of last night game (liverpool v chelsea)

Thats it, bring Xavi back down to earth, nearly the equaliser!

LuckyLloyd

Should be 1 - 1!

Xavi6

Super keeper

Mikeyt086

Excuse me. But can we give Stephen Ireland some sort of medal for that goal? Breath-taking stuff.

He starts the move with an overhead-type pass, impressive, gets the ball back and gives a good ball, gets it back and plays a first time pass accross the pitch to release Robinho, maybe the pass of the season? Charges up-field to help Robinho and finishes like Torres.

So thats Stephen Ireland's 1st 4 touches: GREAT PASS, Good pass, AMAZING PASS, GOOOOAL! All in 1 move.

What a player.

JPA

Xavi6 wrote: »

With Kompany and De Jong out we simply don't have the defensive minded places to go in there.

He's just playing the best he has available. I'd rather that than Fernandes play.

I suppose I forgot they were out.

redout

Given is an animal

mike65

Had to happen. 1-1

SlickRic

this game's going to be incredible for the neutral.

as i speak....1-1.

Headshot

jesus this is some match :eek::eek::eek:

Xavi6

Wonder save

redout

Incredible

1 - 1

LuckyLloyd

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

Excuse me. But can we give Stephen Ireland some sort of medal for that goal? Breath-taking stuff.

He starts the move with an overhead-type pass, impressive, gets the ball back and gives a good ball, gets it back and plays a first time pass accross the pitch to release Robinho, maybe the pass of the season? Charges up-field to help Robinho and finishes like Torres.

So thats Stephen Ireland's 1st 4 touches: GREAT PASS, Good pass, AMAZING PASS, GOOOOAL! All in 1 move.

What a player.

It really was an amazing goal. Best I've seen in a long, long time.

Xavi6

Lol set piece. What a surprise.

ctrl-alt-delete

Feel sorry for Given there

jester77

Feck, if Given hadn't been so good to get his hand to that it would have been cleared off the line

Headshot

Xavi6 wrote: »

Lol set piece. What a surprise.

was that zonal marking :pac:

LuckyLloyd

Oooh, good ball and run by Dunne. Close.

Mikeyt086

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

It really was an amazing goal. Best I've seen in a long, long time.

Thats what i thought.

I actually shouted "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!"

Replay only showed the final ball and finish. Upsetting.