Team: Match-day 2 (Wednesday)+ Tevez!!

Well the Tuesday games provided one of the biggest talking points of the year. Tevez-gate is a huge story. What are your thoughts? Are you with Mancini and the majority of the pundits interviewed to date or was there really a “misunderstanding”? Is he the “bad apple” of Graeme Souness’ assessment? Gianni gives his opinion and picks his team for tonight.

We think he sulked, threw a “strop” and then realised the seriousness of his mistake and then clobbered together a flimsy and transparent excuse. He is finished at City and we suspect in the Premier League. It does him no credit when he needs an interpreter more than 5 years into his life in England. He seems like a guy who has refused to settle to the life. He gives 100% on the pitch , true, but it’s closer to 1% in terms of attitude off the pitch. He is not a true professional though he is a fantastic footballer.

He has cost Sheffield United a relegation and City the chance to build a bond in the dressing room among their array of superstars. He turned down a contract with Manchester United which was not broadly publicised and of course ensured by moving to City he ratcheted up the intense rivalry between the neighbours. He had his best 2 seasons with City who did EVERYTHING to accommodate him - and the fans loved him. Now he has destroyed that bond. Gianni agrees with Graeme Souness and Iain Dowie’s comments. I rarely side with Roberto Mancini but this is the exception.

Neighbours United were very complacent after going 2-0 up v Basel and ended up with red faces like their shirts when the Swiss turned their numerous chances into 3 second half goals. Ferguson was livid but the “wake up” call was needed. It was strange to see Phil Jones get something wrong but not in the case of Fabio who plays without calm. Why is he always getting injured? Real Madrid were comfortable as were my beloved Napoli with Cavani again giving a good return for Fantasy Football Managers. With 4 points as against City’s 1 we must have a real chance of qualification. Bayern are well on their way and the fact that Tevez was a good option for change at the Allianz makes his actions even more objectionable. Benfica are looking good and Trabzonspor are too. Inter’s honeymoon with Ranieri continues. That was a great result in Moscow for them.

Have a look at my team tonight. The games were previewed in my last post. As you will see I like the chances of Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk. I wonder will tonight generate a controversy like last night did??

September 28, 2011 at 11:02 am | Champions League