Manchester City Blues on Champions League

It looks like déjà vu all over again for Manuel Pellegrini Citizens, after being situated on the infamous Champions League death group.

The Sky Blues aren’t seeing a lucky side on their aspirations, as EPL defending champions, trying to prove their mettle and make an all-around statement in this competition.

Looking a bit difficult indeed, it always had been Champions League competition for the Manchester City squad, which suddenly stumbles upon the rivals they face off.

Still with a competition that shows off the best of the best of the European continent, the Manchester City squad was among one of the favorites to be among the final elite.

it certainly doesn’t look like that, labeled as a favorite doesn’t mean you are about to win it all, as many see this squad that show off a multimillion payroll and top guns in its initial eleven.

These Citizens aren’t looking a bit invincible or showing off in the field certain dominance, but a sorry way of playing, earning just one point from six in play already.

Man City top Boss is seeing red after a determined Roma came back from the boots of Italian legend Francesco Totti, another what could it been a sure win that eluded the Citizens again.

Something that skipper Manuel Pellegrini needs to make some adjustments into his game if he wants his squad to have a continuance in this tourney.

Very well aspire to renew its EPL Title and win other competitions as planned and envisioned by the billionaires of this club.

Those desperately looking for the long ear shield to adorn the halls of Etihad, so far being a bit obscure and as I mentioned before of its elusiveness, due to this club mediocre play in this edition of Champions League.

And although the Citizens sharing with the likes of German and European giant Bayern Munich, AS Roma and CSKA Moscow, the English squad needs a couple of wins to keep itself alive and pay a visit to Italy’s capital to face off a spontaneous Roma side.

Alongside receive a Bayern Munich side at Eithad and make their best as locals and take advantage of it, to make an all-around statement in this edition of Champions.

In league play, the Manchester City chaps are playing one hell of a football and international play in this prestigious tourney, the Citizens are in need of demonstrating their belligerence that made them champions in the EPL and certainly they can do it again!

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Photos Credit and Property of UEFA and Wikipedia 1998- 2014

                     

Photos Credit and Property of © Manchester City Football Club 2014

A Draw in a Fought off Dublin Derby

Not today! Was the motto utilized by a fighting Saint Patrick’s Athletic squad, determined to keep its ground in front of its followers, at Richmond Park Stadium.

It was a match for the ages and for top honor, whenever these two squads play in the always celebrated Dublin Derby.

As the SSE- Airtricity League of the Republic of Ireland, is almost nearing its closing stages, many of its squads are feeling the need of making it as an all-around statement.

With the lads of Inchicore in the Cumann Peile Lúthchleas Phádraig Naofa or St. Pats facing their other side arch rivals Cumann Peile Ruagairí na Seamróige or better known as the Shamrock Rovers.

You know it’s going to be a contested event in its entirety, with two titans seeking the ultimate of glories, as the Rovers really made their presence felt with an early play for the go ahead goal in the 3^rd minute of play.

Looking good but at times, the Hoops saw a furious Pats creating opportunities all along the match until the equalizer goal in the 60^th minute for what became the final score of the match.

And although the locals playing as its nickname Super Saints, they couldn’t capitalize for the win and three points that would it been of gold, still they locked their qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

For the Shamrock Rovers it’s now or never to maintain their hold on fourth place and hold tight on the last position and dispute in next year the eliminations rounds of the UEFA Europa League tourney.

A tough campaign it has been for the Rovers and its current manager Pat Fenlon, looking to finish in a higher position with 5 matches left and rivals of the likes of Dundalk United to play them twice, Limerick UCD and Bray Wanderers.

On the other side of the coin, the Pats Manager Liam Buckley, still has his hopes high of netting once again the league cup for back to back wins, if not, his last hope for a shield relies on the FAI Ford Cup, where they will face a determined Finn  Harp’s for its pass to the final’s.

Still the Saints need to march in the last matches of the SSE Campaign with four matches left and facing resurgent Bohemians, Drogheda United, Athlone Town and the Bit O’ Red Sligo Rovers.

It doesn’t come easy for these two, at the end this match will stay forever in the annals of Irish football history as the most fought of and competed for the points between these two Dublin squads. 

Personally, I think that both squads deserve the win as well the draw for their continuously display of passion and out of sight performances from both their initial elevens and subs, indeed, it was as an awesome Dublin Derby!

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Crest Credit and Property of Shamrock Rovers Football Club and Wikipedia 2014

                                             

Crest Credit and Property of Saint Patrick's Athletic Football Club and Wikipedia 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Dundalk Lilywhites EA Sports Trophy Feat

Oriel Park at Dundalk was a madhouse, after seeing its prodigal sons taking over the cup from last edition champions the Shamrock Rovers.

Dundalk is playing a one possessed football in this edition of the SSE- Airtricity League, with a Cork City closing in; still the Oriel Park lad’s aren’t giving up so easily.

                     

A double was the meaning of this match, getting even on their elimination from semifinals of the FAI Ford Cup and on top of that dethroned the 2013 champions.

What a show indeed, was the one put by the local Lilywhites on a sold out afternoon of football on a thrilling match being displayed.

As many know the Corn Sraithe na hÉireann or the League of Ireland, established on 1973 and being an open tournament to the squads of the League of Ireland and at times lower level teams being invited.

So far this event has seen the likes of the Dundalk Bhoys win it a total of four times, before this match and crowning and all around effort from the local squad for the fifth cup.

Coming to this match, the Lilywhites had a streak of 12 years without winning any shield and this EA Sports accomplishment broke that spell.

It’s not easy juggling League play and internal competitions, but for Manager Stephen Kenny his one of kind strategies is playing an important role in the overall success of his club.

Still we have a tight race in the Airtricity league and this piece of silverware is an uplifting experiences as well an injection of optimism for this club fighting its way to glory!

For now we hail the Dundalk squad achievement and with the league shield if they hold on, this will make a double of a perfect campaign that saw this squad determination.

Indeed, this squad played with an all-around ambition, won what many dubbed a page- turner of a match that was decided by a double from Dundalk Midfielder Dane Massey and go ahead goal from Patrick Hoban.

I do credit the Lilywhites backfield defiance and brave efforts of defending its goalkeeper Gabriel Sava post and holding strongly in what many saw a furious reaction from the visiting Hoops and saving the day.

A well-deserved shield for the Dundalk squad was a prize for their overall efforts and now going into their next compromise in the Airticity League and seeking the coveted Shield as champions of this edition. 

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Hail for Leicester City Ultimate Triumph!

Garlands for the conqueror and hail for his ultimate of achievements, it’s the word at Lancashire after its prodigal sons, paramount upset.

It’s not easy, winning with style and courage, over one of the world’s most decorated and prolific of clubs, in the likes of Manchester United, coming under the label of favorites.

Still the Red Devils thought that their adversary and match, was going to be another encore of their tumultuous win at Old  Trafford over a weak QPR in last week win.

Wrong they were, as they underestimated their rival, this playing with a status of local and showing in the 90 minutes of play, a lot of energy and ambition.    

Indeed, as King Power Stadium lived an afternoon of high emotions and top of the line football, by witnessing a couple of gladiators, fighting for the ultimate of prizes!

Something never imagined by a stunned Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson, after seeing his bhoys on the brink of collapse, turning things around for the visitors and netting the last laugh.

Persistence really has its price and for the determined and ambitious Leicester City Foxes, playing with certain wisdom and patience that at the end paid off.

I mean, playing your heart out and putting on a show in front of your follower’s isn’t an easy thing when you have a rival of the Manu likes.

If this club is to survive the pressure and frenzied of calendars, in what many experts have branded the English Premier League, being one of the most dynamic and difficult to compete of tourneys.

Leicester City is up for the challenge and with a continuance in its game and persistence regardless of the score; this club not only will survive its first year of promotion.

Maybe will be celebrating it, with an all-around shield or fighting for a European positions with the so called, big guns of Premiership- demonstrating its belligerence with its top of the line football.

On the other side of the coin or the losing Manu chaps, the arrival of top names in this football club, doesn’t mean an assure you of a win or maintaining one, after laying down your guard to a club known as a modest one.

Putting in evidence the work ahead from its top boss Louis Van Gaal, it doesn’t come easy, to conquer this league, regardless of the players you may present in your initial lineup, especially when it shows a certain weakness.

As perfection doesn’t exist in any football squad, but its overall spirit of pride and determination- so far in this match will confirm, Leicester City determination and overall fulfillment.

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Crest Credit and Property of Leicester City Football Club and Wikipedia 2014

                     

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Major League Soccer 2014