City’s first official pre-season friendly sees us travel to the familiar ground of Hamburg after we played a friendly there back in 2002.
Vital Quotes:
Mark Hughes talks about the game: “I think that our pre-season is on paper as good as any that I have been involved in,” Hughes declares, “because of the quality of the opposition we are facing and that we have competitive games interspersed as well. From my point of view, it`s perfect.’
“If you could pick a pre-season for preparation purposes, you would struggle to top the one that we have this year. We have to make the most of it.”
He continues with: “It`s a case of getting minutes into the players legs, we are taking a reasonably-sized squad that will be senior-based. The guys who were missing at the beginning of the preparation period need to get up to speed, so we will look to give them decent stints against Hamburg.
“That should help them with the games we have leading into the start of the Premier League season. It`s a key game for a number of players.”
Hamburg’s manager Martin Jol talks about the game: “Our team know each other, now I expect them to play with confidence and please our fans. Everyone is fit and I will decide who plays shortly before kick off. We will pick a side from our best 16 to 17 players”
He added: “I have never lost a game against Manchester City.”
HSV Hamburg Team News:
Vincent Kompany has been selected for the Belgium Olympic squad so is unlikely to play.
Player to watch: Rafael Van der Vaart
Has the ability to run a midfield and has a good eye for goal.
Manchester City FC Team News:
City’s treatment table for our forwards is rather full at the moment with Bianchi, Vassell, Evans and Sturridge being the only ones available for tomorrow’s game.
No injury news regarding the midfield or the defence however and so Mark Hughes should have a decent squad to pick from.
Mark has said that Sturridge will play some part in the game.
Player to watch: Martin Petrov
As the game in the Faroes demonstrated; yet again this left footed wing meastro knows how to put a cross in and score the odd goal.
Match Facts & Stats
City were beaten one nil in the friendly in 2002 with a header by Czech international Tomas Ujfalusi from a corner. Richard Dunne is the only remaining City player from the team that played then.
Ref Watch:
Unknown.
Match Prediction:
City to show some nice football and show the Bundesliga side that the premiership is a higher standard. Hamburg 1 -2 MCFC
Next Fixtures:
EB/Streymur in UEFA cup on Thursday 31st July 8pm kick off.