FA Cup Final Preview: Manchester City Vs Stoke City
Battle of the two 'City's at Wembley
The Tale of Two Cities
Wembley, the mecca of English football, will stage a great final between two contrasting teams Manchester City and Stoke City, in terms of the league table, money power, and more, come tomorrow. It is time for the final of the premier competition in English football, the FA Cup. And it will be Manchester City and Stoke City who will face off for this very famous trophy. Manchester City, who have spent millions to build a team, are now fresh from a morale boosting win against Tottenham Hotspur and a security to play in The Champions League next season, and will be looking to win the FA Cup after 1969, and that, my dear friends, is a long wait. Their last piece of silverware came in 1976, the League Cup and they would be itching to get some silverware in their cabinet and end the drought after spending so much. Stoke City haven’t spent, they have built a team and their entry in the Premiership has helped bring their community together, among themselves and with the club. It has been a great rise for the Potters, and this final is like a dream for the fans, as their last and only FA Cup triumph came in 1972. Both teams have dreams, and both teams will give it their best to end their barren spells.
MANCHESTER CITY
Peter Crouch’s own goal in their last match assured them of a berth in the Champions League. And the Blue side of Manchester is in an upbeat mood. After finally getting the ticket to Europe, they would love to finish this season with their first piece of silverware in 35 years. After spending more than 100 million on quality players the last couple of seasons, this is something that will show them that they are on track on becoming a major force in English and European football. They will enter the final as the overwhelming favorites, with Roberto Mancini having masterminded a great win over city rivals Manchester United 1-0 in the semi-finals. Their current form has been good, and they have been very strong defensively. In the league, they have had 16 clean sheets and have only let 33 goals in. In the FA Cup, they have had 4 clean sheets and scored a thundering 17 goals, albeit they have had 2 replays. City’s road to the finals has been a shaky one, with two replays against weak sides. Still, they have performed well when it mattered.
?Route to the final:
Round 3 : Leicester City 2-2
Replay Round 3 : 4-2 Leicester City
Round 4 : 1-1 Notts County
Replay Round 4 : 5-0 Notts Cunty
Round 5 : 3-0 Aston Villa
QF : 1-0 Reading
SF : 1-0 Manchester United
Their last three performances have been great in the FA Cup, and if they should continue this momentum, Stoke City will have a tough time preventing them winning the title.
On the injury front , Mancini will be thrilled to have Carlos Tevez back from injury after the Argentine came on for the last 8 minutes against the Spurs. However, Mancini is still to decide whether the City skipper will start or not. The only doubt remains in the form of Gareth Barry who has been out for the last 2 games for City. Micah Richards was impressive against Tottenham after his return from injury, and without doubt will start. Jerome Boateng, Shay Given and Kolo Toure are all out.
City have a strong squad to pick from, and the usual suspects will start in midfield and defense in a very settled line up. Silva has been exceptional throughout the season, and is bound to drop into pockets throughout the game, with Milner at the right flank. Barry is expected to return and will take up his normal position just in front of de Jong who screens the back four. Tevez, despite being short on match fitness, is bound to start as his mere presence gives City a huge boost on the pitch. Mancini can always bring on Dzeko or Balotelli in the second half, replacing the Argentine.
Probable Line-up ( WLWWW): Hart, Richards , Kompany, Lescott, Zabaleta, de Jong, Barry, Yaya Toure, Milner, Silva, Tevez.
STOKE CITY
The Potters have been in pretty good touch and their victory against Bolton in the semifinals, thrashing them 5-0 was outstanding. Everyone expected the match to be tight, and Bolton were just marginal favorites, but what transpired at the Wembley was unbelievable, and if Stoke come out with that kind of game and attitude, Manchester City will have a tough task ahead of them. Their recent 3-1 victory over Arsenal showed how high they were on confidence, and how they have the ability to defeat top teams. With Manchester City having qualified for the CL next season, the Potters are sure to play in Europe next season, irrespective of the result tomorrow, so they have the added inspiration and motivation they need. Their rise to the top division of English football has been good, and they have good aerial strength in the form of Jones and Walters. For Stoke, it will be the fans they will be playing for. In a recent interview, manager Tony Pulis said that because of their top flight status, the community of Stoke fans had come together, and it will be a matter of achieving their dreams too. So, Stoke are expected to go all out, play according to Pulis’ tactics and give in their heart. Like City, Stoke have been strong defensively in the Cup, having 4 clean sheets in 6 matches.
Route to the Final :
Round 3 : 1-1 Cardiff City
Replay Round 3: 2-0 Cardiff City
Round 4 : 1-0 Wolves
Round 5 : 3-0 Brighton and Hove Albiom
QF : West Ham 2-1
SF : Bolton 5-0
Stoke have their own concerns, with playmaker and probably their best player Matthew Etherington scheduled to undergo a late fitness test. Robert Huth will also undergo a late fitness test, but manager Pulis reckons both of them will be available for tomorrow. Kenwyne Jones had a slight injury worry, but that has been sorted out, and he is almost certain to appear.
The two late calls of Etherington and Huth may change this line up if either of them is available. In Pennant and Etherington, if he does make an appearance, Stoke has to awesome playmakers who can change the game on their day. With them along with Delap being providers to Jones and Walters, the aerial threat will be something Manchester City will be on the lookout for. But, Manchester City should also be threatened by their good passing build up, and their counter attacks. Their strength lies in set pieces and dead ball plays, and Manchester City’s strong defense will have to work hard to dismantle their game.
Probable Line-up( WDWDW): Begovic, Wilkinson, Faye, Shawcross, Wilson, Pennant, Whelan, Whitehead, Delap, Jones, Walters.
So, both the teams are fired up, and have the fire and desire to win this Cup. Both teams have their strengths, and will give their best at such a huge stage. The Wembley is ready, and the stage is set. The neutral fans will hope for some great football from these two tactical sides. May the best team win.