Aris Thessaloniki vs Manchester City Half-Time Update
- By A.D. Winn on February 15, 2011 17:46 GMT
It’s half-time in the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, where Manchester City are currently controlling the game against Aris but have nothing to show for it so far, the scoreline being 0-0.
A lively atmosphere has greeted the team from Manchester, but it is the away side that had the opening chances after ten minutes; David Silva turned his opposition before forcing a low save from the Aris goalkeeper from 20 yards.
Silva, who is being credited as the goalscorer in the Manchester derby loss at the weekend is currently 7/1 to score for City, and his creativity and off the ball movement could prove crucial for Mancini’s men here, with no Adam Johnson, and Shawn Wright-Phillips lacking first team football.
It wasn’t soon after when City had a decent shout for a penalty – a gut-bursting run from Micah Richards into the box after receiving a Tevez pass was challenged by Aris defender Michel, but the tackle was deemed fair by the Spanish referee.
City, who were 4/6 to win outright this morning, have stayed around that mark after a half of heavy pressure – gaining as much as 70% of the possession at one point in the first-half. It will be up to Roberto Mancini to try and get his players to convert the control of the game - and the chances they’ve had - into goals.
City, as expected, named a strong starting 11, and have the luxury of being able to keep Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta and Joleon Lescott on the bench, and still name a formidable side. Coming in are Kolo Toure, Jerome Boateng, Shaun Wright-Phillips and striker Edin Dzeko, who returns to the Europa League with his new club after being so impressive in the competition for Wolfsburg.
Midfielder James Milner picked up an injury in the Manchester derby, and hasn’t travelled to Greece.
Aris have named former Man City loanee Nery Castillo on the bench. The Mexican striker made a handful of appearances for the Citizens in 2008, without securing a full contract.
Aris: Sifakis, Neto, Guiaro, Michel, Lazaridis, Vangeli, Toja, Faty, Prittas, Bobadilla, Sakata
Substitutes: Vellidis, Oriol, Kaznaferis, Mendrinos, Cesnauskis, Cesarec, Castillo
Man City: Hart, Richards, Kolarov, Boateng, K Toure, Wright-Phillips, Barry, Silva, Y Toure, Dzeko, Tevez
Substitutes: Given, Kompany, Zabaleta, Lescott, Vieira, Jo, Balotelli
