Match Preview: Manchester City vs Swansea City

Laudrup's Swans set to face the murky waters of the Etihad

By Adam Bailey

European enterprises held very different outcomes for both sides as Swansea suffered midweek misery whilst City enjoyed hilarity at home once again. Daniel Parejo's goal earned Valencia a 1-0 win in Wales on Thursday and the Welsh side must record at least a point in their next tie against St Gallen if they are to reach the last 32 of the competition. 

Swansea will travel to Manchester on Sunday with their ammunition severely depleted. Top scorers Wilfried Bony (10) and Michu (7) both suffered injuries in the mid-week fixture leaving Michael Laudrup with unsettling shortages up top. 

For Manuel Pellegrini's side however, Swansea's injuries have come at the perfect time. A shaky defensive performance on Wednesday night was masked by yet another attacking masterclass that saw Sergio Agüero, Samir Nasri, Álvaro Negredo and Edin Džeko help City to their 15th goal of the Champions League group stages.

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Swansea 0 - 0 Manchester City: Thoughts and Ratings

By Aaron Leggott

My thoughts

This game had a proper end of season feel about it and a draw was a fair result. It was a game of two (very unentertaining) halves - with Swansea shading the first half, and City becoming much stronger after the break.

You can tell that the motivation for some players has totally gone in terms of the Premier League and it is hard to shake them out of that mindset - we just need to ensure that Champions League football is secured which I'm fairly confident we will manage. 

David Silva in action against Swansea
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With games against West Brom, Reading and Norwich we should be expecting a full nine points in return to finish the league season off strongly. And a win at Wembley on Saturday wouldn't be too bad, either. 

Match Reflection: Swansea 0 - 0 Manchester City

Drab draw as City fail to win in Wales again

By Aaron Leggott

Roberto Mancini and Michael Laudrup came face to face once again as their teams produced a fairly uninspiring game in a typical end of season performance.

Manchester City's season ended a fortnight ago after Manchester United secured the title, whilst the Swans have faded off ever since their Capital One Cup success in February. 

Both sides had a number of chances but the lack of incisiveness from both parties ensured that Joe Hart and Michel Vorm were rarely tested.

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City vs Swansea: Match Preview

City in crisis? Don't be daft!

By Dave Walker

Manchester City should be ok today as long as it’s made clear to Roberto Mancini and his first team squad that a team from a ‘foreign’ country does NOT always represent insurmountable European opposition!

Forgive the sardonic comment but it’s odds on City will contrive to deliver a singularly underwhelming performance if there’s even a hint of the continent about their opponents. Non-English Swansea, thankfully, don’t qualify.