Manchester City faces archrival Manchester United in the FA Cup final on Saturday in a repeat of last season’s showpiece at Wembley.
AFP Sport looks at three key battles that will help decide the match.
Rodri vs. Bruno Fernandes
Manchester City’s incredible success has been built on the rock-solid foundations laid by Rodri in midfield.
The influential Spain star has not lost any of the past 50 Premier League matches in which he has featured for City.
It was fitting Rodri scored City’s decisive third goal in the 3-1 win against West Ham that clinched an unprecedented fourth successive English title on Sunday.
Rodri’s intelligent reading of the game, muscular presence in the tackle and eye for a crucial goal have been vital ingredients in City’s insatiable appetite for success.
“We’re so excited with what we achieved, but the repercussions of what we’ve done, to change the history of the club, I think we will only realize in a few years,” Rodri said as City bid to become the first English team to win consecutive Premier League and FA Cup doubles.
His next mission will be to subdue United captain Bruno Fernandes, who is looking to lift just his second trophy during his four-spell with the club.
The 29-year-old has been linked with an offseason move to Saudi Arabia, with Bayern Munich also said to be interested.
But in a disappointing season for United, the Portugal midfielder has retained the capacity to lift his team with occasional moments of inspiration and has finished the season with a flurry of goals.
Erling Haaland vs. Andre Onana
It has been quite a season for City striker Erling Haaland, who finished as the Premier League’s top scorer for a second successive year despite being written off as a League Two standard player.
Former Manchester United star Roy Keane’s scathing assessment of Haaland might have roots in a feud with the Norwegian’s father Alfie that dates back to their playing days.
But Keane was not the only one to question Haaland’s value during an unusually quiet run that featured just two goals in seven games from early March to mid-April.
The prolific 23-year-old was clearly below the sky-high standards he set during a record-breaking first season with City.
But Haaland, who has scored 38 goals in all competitions this season, is a ferocious competitor and silenced his doubters with seven goals in his last five Premier League games as City stormed to the title.
Standing between Haaland and yet another medal will be United goalkeeper Andre Onana, whose maiden season at Old Trafford has been far from smooth sailing.
Onana was United manager Erik ten Hag’s hand-picked replacement for David de Gea in the close season.
The 28-year-old Cameroon international, who played under the United boss at Ajax, arrived from Inter Milan with a reputation for flamboyant saves and the ability to start moves with his ball distribution.
But Onana has never looked entirely comfortable, making a series of costly blunders that have raised questions about his ability to handle the pressure and scrutiny of playing for United.
Alejandro Garnacho vs. Kyle Walker
Alejandro Garnacho has been one of the few bright spots for United in its troubled campaign and the emerging Argentine winger could be their best hope of shocking City.
The precocious 19-year-old has scored nine goals and provided five assists in all competitions, with his potent combination of skill and speed giving opposing defenders sleepless nights.
Garnacho’s ability to exploit any gaps in Pep Guardiola’s defense should ensure he is under constant surveillance from City captain Kyle Walker.
Fresh from lifting the Premier League trophy last weekend, England right-back Walker is looking to add yet more silverware to his enormous collection.
The 33-year-old still has pace to burn, giving him a chance to subdue the electric Garnacho and lead City to more glory.
smg/jw/pi
© Agence France-Presse
The full game is on Youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUTUA0TKvfQ
I would recommend to watch this game for the tactics applied, instead of just watching it from Man.Utd fan standpoint…And I would also recommend to watch Atalanta vs Leverkusen on Paramount that was held the other day…
Man. Utd did an excellent job as far as stopping City going through the middle, by remaining compact. Watch how the midfield combined with the front line held things in check…It is not my kind of soccer but United did exactly what was necessary to win, perfect execution. Also United had two regular defenders back from injuries..Martinez the 5’6″ centerback the smallest centerback in EPL was fantastic…
Martinez was the laughing stock of the EPL for his size as centerback. Since most centerbacks are big goons, Martinez showed England that it’s not about size but about brains, technical skills 1v1 and passing abilities know-how and quickness. Pep Guardiola considers him to be one of the top 5 defenders in the world…
Martinez has the best initial outlet pass out of the backfield in the league, something that is just not talked about by pundits for most lack intelligent game insight. Notice when Martinez makes a pass forward to midfield it is always to the correct foot with the right speed and usually beats a few opponents. Note also how easy the player at midfield receives the ball in a manner that’s he’s least unaccosted…Martinez’s pass splices so many opponents…
I hope coaches, here , begin to realize that you don’t need to big goons in the middle as centerbacks.
Frank is right. The only advantage tall CBs have is their height vs. the disadvantages of height. Their relative height give them a bigger window of opportunity to stop high crosses. That is a very small part of the game.
Shorter CBs can still stop high crosses. It just requires vision and anticipation, something you want all players tall or short to have.
The disadvantages of height: 1) higher center of gravity, 2) longer (slower) limbs, and 3) greater mass burns more energy for the same 90 minutes of work. Height gives an advantage used in 1-2 minutes a match. On the other hand height is a disadvantage for all 90 minutes of a match.
Bob, Where are the crosses today??? Nobody crosses and most of the wingers play inverted, but somehow most teams stick with the antiquated going strategy with tall brutes in the middle who are slow in the first step….There will always be headers scored, not because of having tall players but because of a good cross and the right timing..That is standard. If a team is good on crosses on the flank than try to prevent those flank crosses… I just don’t get Bob. I hope the women’s NT will begin to see that and put in the back smaller, smarter, quicker, more skillfull players…
Not likely, Frank. USSF had been trying (w Vlatko) to push their CBs to the outside but it never worked. They tried Davidson (5′-10″) as RB–failed. They’re still trying to make her a CB with the Nats but she’s not to the level of Dahlkemper or Sauerbrunn. Maybe they would have more luck trying outside backs inside.
R2. What I meant is for a centerback to be the like Martinez, short ,quick, well skilled and ready to contribute to offense as well. I don’t know who Davidson is but I would like see one of our midfield attackers to become one of our centerbacks. Our backline is too predictable. We need to have an attack capability from all our 3 lines.
Bob, generally speaking yes – but the way you put it in the extreme – soccer is dominated by very small people. It’s not like that. It depends on the context. In the College game – you can look this up – in D3 – they play in the UAA – the UAA is known as having very tall defenders. Why? Defense – yes – but also – set pieces. This is big deal. My son was looking at WashU – at another ID Camp an Argentine parent, who very knowledgeable – but in an Argentine way – if you know what I mean – told me – oh we don’t lose time with that context b.c. they all play route one and giants. Well, my son and I happened to know very well, a 4 year starter, at WashU – who was 5’7″ – not defender – but did just fine. I looked into the conference – and sure enough – there are a lot of tall players – and that is when I learned – it is not for defending – tho yes – this is consideration – it is mainly for set pieces. Uruguay has Sebastian Coates – CB – who is 6’5″ – he has a very long and successful international career – based on yes – defending – but also – getting goals – with his size. There are so many facets to defenders – size is just one – it’s not true that all tall players are slow and not good with feet. Jude Bellingham is listed at 6’1″ on Wiki – but he’s taller than that in person – probably 6’2″.
sorry got a little sloppy with my typing and thoughts – WashU plays in D3 UAA conference – which has – reputation – as – being long ball centric with lots of tall players. I found this not to be true – but not all players are tall and – the defenders are selected for height also – to score on set pieces. This is normal. Never gonna happen in Holland – but here – we have so many facets. All good. Keep going. Thank you very much.
Humble, my son played soccer in UAA about four years ago and the soccer was pretty darn good. I went to many of his conference games and didn’t notice any focus on height by any of the teams. The reason that conference’s soccer is good is because the academics are great, and those wanting a good mix of books and soccer find it there. My son transferred from a D1 program mostly for better academics and it was a great move. His studies are paying off well, and he still plays men’s soccer in CA. I really like all that college soccer offers as long as it emphasizes academics which that conference does.
I didn’t say soccer is dominated by very small people. What I said was factual. It is physics–biomechanics. What I said ought to be understood by every professional coach in just about every sport. It is important for understanding athletic movement.
Look at how Maradona and Messi play(ed) compared to C. Ronald. There are always exceptions. Zidane’s movements amaze me. Michael Jordan was more amazing. Typically the most talented athlete on any team is the goalkeeper, typically among the tallest on the team.
gonna watch 1st half based on your recommendation, otherwise would not touch this one, just to see Martinez. Great defenders less than 6’ – Roberto Bagio, Macherano, Carlos Pujol, even Sergio Ramos – listed as 6’ but really slightly less, list goes on, have not really watched Martinez. Will watch him here and – have good chance to see him live in Copa America knock out game.