Developing the Mentality
The negative side to signing Brazilian Robinho has reared its ugly head after the high-profile offensive wizard struck out at his new club for lacking the ?winning mentality? he deemed necessary for success. Manager Mark Hughes up until this point has only dealt with positive press when it comes to the former Real Madrid star, but his latest comments have stirred the pot in the face of the Citizens finding themselves just above the relegation zone. Hughes will want a united dressing room as the busy December fixtures begin.
After a long stretch of loses which found the Blues floundering, struggling greatly away from home, the Blues seemed to right the ship as they beat both Arsenal in the league at home and Schalke 04 in the Uefa Cup on the road. Losing the Manchester derby midday Sunday ended the winning streak Mark Hughes desperately wanted to ride well into December as pressure mounts for a European spot for next season and the attraction for big name January signings are diminishing.
Injuries have returned to plague City as casualties from the derby clash have grown. While the Blues may be without many of their big guns for Paul Le Guen?s PSG visit to the City of Manchester Stadium, Hughes will be hoping his depleted side can match the away win against Schalke 04 last matchday and tie up the group win for Manchester City.
Bouncing Back
After struggling embarrassingly close to the bottom of the Ligue 1 table for the better part of the last two seasons, Paris Saint-Germain have concentrated on their domestic form and have bounced back to stay close to the top of the table for the first half of the season. Beating the likes of Lyon already in the league, coach Paul Le Guen?s mix of youth and experience has paid off as PSG?s summer recruits have laid the foundation for a winning side.
However, the Parisian club sits bottom their Uefa Cup group with one point from a draw with Spanish club Racing Santander after a loss to Schalke 04 and face elimination if they lose to the group leaders Manchester City on Wednesday night. Coming off a domestic loss to Rennes, Le Guen could shuffle his line-up and give a rest to some of his more key men. As PSG are at risk of being eliminated, his choice to rest some of his more experienced players highlights the sides concentration on their domestic campaign and qualifying for the Champions League.
This tie has also prompted PSG president Charles Villeneuve to declare the clubs riches ahead of their trip to the extravagantly financed Manchester City by stating the club is worth more than City at 200m euros, while also stating the club are quite able to buy the likes of Nicolas Anelka and Samuel Eto?o. City?s Sheikh owners may disagree with Villeneuve, yet the world will see after this tie which side can boast about their football.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester City
Man City 1-2 Tottenham (PL)
Hull 2-2 Man City (PL)
Man City 3-0 Arsenal (PL)
Schalke 04 0-2 Man City (Uefa Cup)
Man City 0-1 Man United (PL)
PSG
PSG 2-0 Nancy (LC)
Le Havre 1-3 PSG (L1)
PSG 1-0 Lyon (L1)
PSG 2-2 Santander (Uefa)
Rennes 1-0 PSG (L1)
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City
The Manchester derby not only cost City points, but also personnel as up to three of the Blues who featured against United could miss out. Battered England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is nursing a knee injury after being subjected to multiple yellow card worthy tackles from United players including Christiano Ronaldo?s first caution.
Defender Micah Richards could also miss out as he was taken off with an ankle injury in the second half of their weekend tie with cross town neighbors. Complaining star Robinho also missed training with an ankle injury and could miss the Uefa Cup meeting.
Midfielder?s Gelson Fernandes, Kelvin Etuhu and Michael Johnson all remain on the training table as they look to return from longer stays on the sidelines.
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