Tomorrow could be the start of the new dawn for City after so many false ones. If we beat United and set up a final with Bolton or Stoke, we have the best chance in my 35 years as a City fan to make our neighbours tear down their banner! It`s funny but I feel like this is THE game where we can finally get over that Red hurdle and start to assert our dominance. The team finally going over the wall from the trenches to the battlefield each of them looking out for the other knowing they will all give 100%, fighting for every ball and taking every opportunity. Play as a team and play to win lads.
I also have a message for Mario Balotelli, if he plays as well as we know he can, and if he adds maturity to his game, leaving the sulks in the dressing room and putting in the titanic effort we see players like De Jong and Kompany give, we may see an amazing and era changing result tomorrow. So in the words of Rudyard Kipling I say to you Mr Balotelli : ‘If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings — nor lose the common touch, If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run — Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And — which is more — you’ll be a Man, my son!` Blue Moon rising!
Vital Quotes:
Paul Scholes said: ‘When they are fourth or fifth [in the league], I don’t think they can be classed as a main rival,’.
Roberto Mancini said it is time for CIty to ‘change the history’ at the club and also made a call to arms: ‘All my players should understand very well that this is a big moment for us. The first trophy is the hardest but it is time for City to win something.’
Manchester City Team News:
Richards has trained well this week and so should hopefully get his starting place back (although Boyata has filled in admirably).
Mancini was coy on who would start up front, although Dzeko is hoping to become the first Bosnian to ever play at Wembley!
Player to watch: Mario Balotelli
Balotelli has a lot to prove and this is the world stage he craves. Hopefully he will prove all the doubters wrong and deliver something special!
Manchester United Team News:
With Rooney banned the Reds are likely to line up with ‘Little Pea’! and Berbatov up front. Ferguson said he will make changes for this game but who knows if he is up to the old mind games.
Player to watch: Little Pea
Little Pea has scored some great goals in his first season at the club.
Match Facts & Stats
This is the first Wembley F.A. Cup Semi Final between City and United.
Ref Watch:
Howard Webb, South Yorkshire:
This season:
38 Games
118 Yellow Cards
6 Red Cards
Match Prediction:
3-2 to City with a Balotelli header winning the game in the 93rd minute. (If we can’t dream now when can we?)
Next Fixtures:
25 Apr 20h00: Blackburn Rovers v City
01 May 16h10: City v West Ham
07 May 15h00: Everton v City
10 May 19h45: City v Spurs
14 May 12h45: City v Stoke
22 May 16h00: Bolton v City
– all times BST