Bluemoon-MCFC Article Feeds City to face Real Madrid in Champions League quarter-final http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13238 Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:49:17 GMT 1 Winners of tie will face either Arsenal or Byern Munich in last four City will face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final, following the draw in Nyon this morning.

The tie is a repeat of last season's semi-final, in which the Blues emerged victorious with an imprssive 5-1 aggregate win.

Should the Blues prevail again, they will meet either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the last four.

It represents a difficult challenge for Pep Guardiola's side, but Director of Football Txiki Begiristain was in optimistic mood.

“Now it’s Real Madrid but we have to remember we beat them last season in the semi-finals so we will try to remember that,” he said shortly afterwards.

“We need to remember that we beat them last season in the semi-final and we played at home in the second leg.

“We did a top, top job in the second leg but we need to remember how strong they are and that they are top of their league and that they enjoy this competition.

“It’s the history of Real Madrid. Every time they face up in this competition, they think they are going to win.

“The only thing is that we are confident. We are doing well, we have been in the last years fighting for this competition and at the end we won it.

“Also, the competition that we are doing this year has also been very good.

“We have been winning all games so we hope that we can keep this rhythm. Mentally we are strong. 

“We are going to watch two top, top games, because they have some of the best players in the world.

“[But] any club will be very difficult as to get into the last eight is amazing.”

Quarter-finals draw

Arsenal v Bayern Munich

Atletico Madrid v Borussia Dortmund

Paris St-Germain v Barcelona

Real Madrid v Manchester City

Semi-finals draw

Atletico Madrid or Borussia Dortmund v Paris St-Germain or Barcelona

Arsenal or Bayern Munich v Real Madrid or Manchester City

]]>
Liverpool vs Manchester City preview: Guardiola to assess squad after training tomorrow http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13232 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:16:00 GMT 4 Grealish, Doku and Nunes are doubts for trip to Anfield Liverpool vs Manchester City

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 3.45pm, Sunday 10th March 2024

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: S Burt, D Cook Fourth Official: D Coote VAR: S Atwell

Odds: Liverpool 15/8, Draw 11/4, City 6/5

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Liverpool

Manager: Jurgen Klopp

Squad (from): Adrian, Kelleher, Gomez, van Dijk, Konate, Tsimikas, Robertson, Quansah, Bradley, Endo, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Elliott, Clark, Diaz, Nunez, Salah, Gakpo

Injured: Matip, Alisson, Jota, Alexander-Arnold, Jones, Gravenberch, Bajcetic, Thiago

Doubtful: Konate

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWWW

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Akanji, Lewis, Kovacic, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, Haaland, Doku, Alvarez

Injured: Grealish

Doubtful: Doku, Nunes

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWWW

Pep Guardiola will assess his squad on Saturday morning ahead of the trip to Anfield, with doubts over the fitness of Jack Grealish, Jermey Doku and Matheus Nunes.

"We have a day off today - tomorrow we are training, and we will see how they feel,"  he said at Friday's press conference.

Liverpool have adapted their style this season, and Guardiola is expecting a slightly different challenge on Sunday.

"We have already seen some details about the way they attack [which] is different to previous seasons.

"The quality of some players makes the game different. The main parts are the same and we know it quite well, but the little details we need to adjust. 

"At the same time, knowing that, we must look at the games we and they have played recently and see if we need to adjust something to be more comfortable with the players that we have to play on Sunday."

"The impact will be the same. The difference sometimes is the quality of the players - the little details…

"But the main pattern is the same. Make the game quick, contact with runners. 

"It’s quite similar to when I met him in Dortmund when I was at Bayern." 

City lost their last game at Anfield 1-0, with Mo Salah scoring the winner for the hosts. Overall City have won 52 of the 196 games played against the Reds, with 51 draws and 93 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Rodri, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Foden, Haaland

Score prediction: Liverpool 2 City 1

]]>
Manchester City vs Manchester United preview: Grealish ruled out through injury http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13230 Fri, 01 Mar 2024 16:51:44 GMT 4 Winger suffered recurrence of groin injury in midweek win at Luton Manchester City vs Manchester United

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 3.30pm, Sunday 29th October 2023

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Andrew Madley Assistants: I Hussin, N Hopton Fourth Official: D England VAR: S Atwell

Odds: City 1/4, Draw 5/1, United 10/1

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Akanji, Lewis, Kovacic, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, Haaland, Doku, Alvarez

Injured: Grealish

Doubtful: Gvardiol

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWDW

Manchester United

Manager: Erik Ten Hag

Squad (from): Bayindir, Heaton, Onana, Lindelof, Varane, Dalot, Evans, Amrabat, Mount, Eriksen, Casemiro, Mainoo, McTominay, Rashford, Diallo, Garnacho, Antony

Injured: Martinez, Malacia, Shaw, Martial, Hojlund, Mount, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: WLWWW

Jack Grealish has been ruled out of the 181st Manchester derby after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury against Luton in midweek, and manager Pep Guardiola doesn't know when he will return.

“He will not be fit for this weekend. When he will come back I don’t know,” he said at Friday's press conference.

“He has to recover well. He has had a setback, he has to recover well so we can use him as much as possible.

“Setbacks in life are always there, it’s how you overcome them.”

The game will City's fifth in just over a fortnight, but Guardiola didn't complain about the scheduling as his players have had five days to prepare.

“Tuesday to Sunday is enough - it’s a dream,” he said. “We recovered well.

“The problem is Saturday to Tuesday with trips, there is less recovery time. The players were extraordinary against Luton.

“Two days off, rest, don’t see each other then two days to prepare for the game against United.”

City won the last derby at The Etihad 6-3, with hat-tricks for both Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. Overall City have won 58 of the 180 games played against the Reds, with 50 draws and 72 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Akanji, Dias, Stones, Ake, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Alvarez, Haaland

Score prediction: City 2 United 1

]]>
Luton Town vs Manchester City: Gvardiol and Grealish return from injury http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13228 Tue, 27 Feb 2024 12:15:35 GMT 4 Guardiola has fully-fit squad to choose from for fifth round tie Luton Town vs Manchester City

Competition: F.A. Cup

Date: 8.00pm, Tuesday 27th February 2024

Venue: Kenilworth Road, Luton

Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: M Perry, S Hudson Fourth Official: S Hooper VAR: R Jones

Odds: Luton 9/1, Draw 5/1, City 2/7

Tickets: Sold out

TV: ITV1

Luton Town

Manager: Rob Edwards

Squad (from): Shea, Krul, Kaminski, Osho, Potts, Kabore, Mengi, Burke, Bell, Barkley, Berry, Chong, Mpanzu, Clark, Thorpe, Townsend, Doughty, Ogbene, Morris, Woodrow

Injured: Lockyer, Nakamba, Adebayo, Brown, Andersen

Doubtful: Lokonga

Suspended: None

Form guide: WDLLL

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Akanji, Lewis, Kovacic, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, Haaland, Doku, Alvarez

Injured: None

Doubtful: Gvardiol

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWDWW

Josko Gvardiol and Jack Grealish have both recovered from injury, giving Pep Guardiola a fully fit squad to choose from for the trip to Kenilworth Road.

The two sides met in the league in December, and Guardiola is expecting another difficult game on Tuesday evening.

“They have the courage to play, face the challenge without any fear, and after it’s not just that,” he said at Monday's press conference.

“They play direct into channels they have ability to build up the patterns are so clear.

“They play really, really good with the football. Quite similar to Bournemouth for the way they play but it’s Premier League and the FA Cup and I would not expect different from my experience these years I have been in England.”

City won their last game at Kenilworth Road 2-1, with Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 21 of the 50 games played against the Hatters, with 15 draws and 14 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ortega, Walker, Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Nunes, Lewis, Bobb, Grealish, Alvarez

Score prediction: Luton 1 City 2

]]>
Oscar Bobb signs new five-year contract http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13227 Tue, 27 Feb 2024 11:48:07 GMT 1 Norwegian youngster extends stay at The Etihad until 2029 Oscar Bobb has signed a new contract at City that will see him remain at The Etihad until 2029.

The 20-year-old forward has agreed a three-year extension to his current deal, worth around £50k a week.

The Norwegian international has made 16 appearances for the Blues so far this season, scoring two goals, and is delighted to have agreed new terms with the club:

“I am very proud and honoured to have signed my new contract with City.

“It’s an incredible environment and the best possible place to be for a young player - I have already learnt so much from Pep, his coaching staff and my team-mates.

“To know I’m going to be here at the club until 2029 means everything to me.

“Now I just want to focus on continuing to further my development and to work as hard as I can every day to try and help then club achieve more success.”

Txiki Begiristain added: “Oscar is blessed with superb natural talent and technique and has already established himself as a very important member of the squad.

“He is an exciting young player who is always hungry to learn and who takes on board all the advice and guidance Pep and the coaching staff provide him with.

“We have been delighted to watch his progression from our Academy through to the first team and to see his fantastic ability, attitude and application continue to prosper.

“And to have another young player emerge from our Academy and become a first-team player is a source of huge pride for everyone at the football club.

“Oscar is developing all the time, and we believe he can help to bring even more success to the club in the coming years.”

]]>
Manchester City vs Chelsea preview: Grealish and Gvardiol ruled out through injury http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13222 Fri, 16 Feb 2024 16:12:42 GMT 1 Kovacic and Gomez available again, whilst Bernardo Silva will be assessed in training Manchester City vs Chelsea

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 5.30pm, Saturday 17th February 2024

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Andrew Madley Assistants: M Perry, N Hopton Fourth Official: K Stroud VAR: P Bankes

Odds: City 1/3, Draw 9/2, Chelsea 7/1

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Akanji, Lewis, Phillips, Gomez, Kovacic, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, Haaland, Doku, Alvarez

Injured: Grealish, Gvardiol

Doubtful: Silva

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWWW

Chelsea

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino

Squad (from): Bettinelli, Petrovic, Bergstrom, Disasi, Badiashile, Chalobah, Chilwell, Colwill, Gusto, Gilchrist, Fernandez, Mudryk, Palmer, Gallagher, Caicedo, Sterling, Madueke, Jackson

Injured: Fofana, James, Badiashile, Lavia, Cucurella, Sanchez, Ugochukwu

Doubtful: Gusto, Silva

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWLLD

Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol will miss the visit of Chelsea to The Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

Gvardiol missed the midweek win in Copenhagen, whilst Grealish was substituted after just 21 minutes with what appeared to be a muscular injury.

“Jack I think will not be ready,” he said at Friday's press conference.

“I don’t know [his condition]. I need to speak with the doctors. I only know he is not able to play tomorrow.

Bernardo we will assess today in the afternoon training session. 

“Kova is training and Sergio as well. The rest we will see.”

Chelsea have struggled this season, but back-to-back victories against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace have given Mauricio Pochettino's side renewed confidence.

The two teams drew 4-4 at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season, and Guardiola is expecting another tough challenge.

“They are an exceptional team in all departments,” he said.

“It is one of the toughest games we have until the end of season. They are playing really good. The last games were really good. 

“They have everything.”

City won their last home game against Chelsea 4-0, thanks to goals from Riyad Mahrez (2), Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden. Overall City have won 65 of the 176 games played against the Blues, with 40 draws and 71 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Rodri, Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Alvarez, Haaland

Score prediction: City 2 Chelsea 1

]]>
Guardiola hails Foden after Brentford hat-trick http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13220 Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:49:10 GMT 1 Manager describes youngster as "an exceptional, exceptional player" Pep Guardiola has lauded Phil Foden after the midfielder's hat-trick helped City to a 3-1 victory against Brentford on Monday evening.

The Blues had trailed to Neal Maupay's 21st minute strike, but Foden equalised just before half-time before netting again twice in the second-half. It was the second hat-trick of Foden's career, and his manager was full of praise for the youngster.

"We needed it [Foden's performance] today," Guardiola said in his post-match interview. "I think Phil is playing ... the most [influential] season for the team in terms of goals, assists. How he played simple, how he can be more aggressive. He has the pleasure to score the goals and the threat when he's close to their box. Always he is there.

"So he's an exceptional, exceptional player. He is [young] and already has more than 250 games for City, that shows the impact he has had since he arrived."

"I don't know his limits," Guardiola said. "He will decide. For him, football is the most important thing of his life. Of course aside from his family and kids, it is the most important thing.

"It depends on him, but he enjoys a lot. He loves to play football. When you see players like him playing in the street when you are a little boy, you have this sense of amateurism [in the way he plays]."

]]>
March fixtures rescheduled for television coverage http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13219 Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:38:50 GMT 1 Games against United, Liverpool, Brighton and Arsenal will all be screened on Sky Sports Three more of City's games in March have been moved for broadcasting purposes, it has been announced.

The matches against Liverpool, Brighton and Arsenal will all be screened on Sky Sports and have been rescheduled as a result.

The game against Liverpool will now take place on Sunday 10th March, with a 3.45pm kick-off at the request of Merseyside Police.

The trip to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton will be played the following Sunday (17th March) at 4.30pm, although this date will change if either side qiualify for the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The home tie against Arsenal will now be played at 4.30pm on Sunday 31st March at the Etihad Stadium.

Confirmed dates:

Manchester City vs Manchester United, 3.30pm Sunday 3rd March 2024
Liverpool vs Manchester City, 3.45pm Sunday 10th March 2024
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Manchester City, 4.30pm Sunday 17th March 2024
Manchester City vs Arsenal, 4.30pm Sunday 31st March 2024

]]>
Manchester City vs Burnley preview: Guardiola has fully fit squad to select from http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13215 Tue, 30 Jan 2024 15:34:04 GMT 4 John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland are all available again after recovering from injuries Manchester City vs Burnley

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 7.30pm, Wednesday 31st January 2024

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Sam Barrott Assistants: S Bennett, D Robathan Fourth Official: D England VAR: R Jones

Odds: City 1/12, Draw 11/1, Burnley 25/1

Tickets: Available via mancity.com

TV: TNT Sports

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol. Akanji, Lewis, Kovacic, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Gomez, Nunes, Foden, Bobb, Haaland, Doku, Alvarez

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWWW

Burnley

Manager: Vincent Kompany

Squad (from): Trafford, Franchi, Vigouroux, Muric, O'Shea, Egan-Riley, Roberts, Ekdal, Vitinho, Al Dakhil, Delcroix, Cork, Gudmundsson, Brownhill, Berge, Ramsey, Cullen, Rodriguez, Manuel, Foster, Amdouni, Tresor, Bruun Larsen, Odobert

Injured: Redmond, Koleosho, Taylor, Beyer

Doubtful: Berge, Ramsey, Delcroix

Suspended: None

Form guide: DLLLW

City have a fully fit squad to choose from for the visit of Burnley on Wednesday evening. John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Erling Haaland are all available again following injury to give manager Pep Guardiola a boost ahead of an important run of games.

“The most important news is almost all the squad are fit,” he said at Tuesday's press conference.

“We don't have injuries - Manu is back, training well he doesn't feel his knee. John as well. That is the best news. The important part of season starts now. FA Cup, the Champions League is around the corner and of course the Premier League – it’s important that we have everyone available.”

“Apparently [Haaland] will be selected. [This is] the first time he is back.

“We have all the squad, we are stronger. Definitely.

“Erling is an important player for us. Two months out, but he feels good - we have a training session [today], but apparently tomorrow he will be with us.”

City won their last home game against Burnley 6-0, with goals from Erling Haaland (3), Julian Alvarez (2) and Cole Palmer. Overall City have won 56 of the 111 games played against the Clarets, with 25 draws and 30 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodri, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Grealish, Haaland

Score prediction: City 3 Burnley 0

]]>
City to play Luton Town in FA Cup Fifth Round http://www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk/News/Article.aspx?id=13214 Tue, 30 Jan 2024 10:22:01 GMT 1 Blues face trip to Kenilworth Road after knocking out Spurs City will face Luton Town in the FA Fifth Round, following the draw on Sunday afternoon.

The tie will be played at Kenilworth Road, in the week commencing 26th February.

The Blues qualified for the last 16 courtesy of a late win against Spurs, whilst Luton knocked out Everton at Goodison Park.

Draw in full:

Blackburn Rovers v Newcastle United
Chelsea or Aston Villa v Leeds United or Plymouth Argyle
Bournemouth v Leicester City
Liverpool v Watford or Southampton
Bristol City or Nottingham Forest v Manchester United
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton & Hove Albion
Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry City v Maidstone United
Luton Town v Manchester City

]]>