Another deal that has been labouring to a conclusion was confirmed yesterday in the form of Aleksandar Kolarov. The Serbian plugs probably our only remaining weak(ish) position, although most of the reports and comments that we hear about him are about his attacking prowess rather than his defensive solidity. The BBC, in both their recent stories on the matter, have described him as the Serbian Roberto Carlos and a cursory look around Youtube shows he is hardly scared of having a go from range. But then, for all the quality needed in defensive positions, it is not what makes Youtube compilations.
I have only seen him on a couple of occasions for Lazio and I also only remember his attacking abilities, but this is no bad thing. One of the only criticisms of City's style last season was that it was fairly one-dimensional. We had most of our success from counter attacks - the flair and skill of Robinho and Ireland that helped us in the previous campaign was either uncommited and loaned or suffering a crisis - so, to have a successful attacking option from full-back would add an extra dimension to our game. Jerome Boateng also delivered some excellent crosses from right-back in the third place play-off for Germany. As Brazil played in the World Cup, with two holding midfielders, we can afford to let the full-backs bomb forward in support of the attack.
On a different subject, I went to the Moss Rose yesterday to try and capture some of the domestic pre-season atmosphere. It is fantastic that the first-team are on tour playing against some of the world's most famous teams, but it does leave little for the fans who cannot make the trip across the Atlantic. I love pre-season friendlies. The anticipation; the chance to recommence with what matters in football; the trips to the roots of the game; watching squad players, new players, and forgotten players (Jo almost looked worth every penny against Sporting Lisbon!); standing on terraces again... I think it is a neccessary romantic prelude to the start of the serious stuff. So, whilst I have booked my Valencia ticket, the absence of a Barnsley, Doncaster or Halifax on the schedule, to me, was a little disappointing!
So the trip to Macclesfield to watch what was variously called a Manchester City XI, City under-21s, City Elite squad, ticked a few boxes. Perilously expensive food, near decapitation from the Macclesfield players's kick-in, and a 2-1 defeat. Macclesfield played some nice stuff, but their physical advantage was the difference with two set piece goals - whilst nice touches and movement typified City's play. For me, not a regular watcher of the youngsters, Abu, Razak, Elabdellaoui and Benali stood out - with Elabdellaoui scoring a superb solo goal.
So whatever heights, or otherwise, City hit before May is out, this season will have started for me at Moss Rose, just as last season's rollercoaster began at Barnsley!
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