MATCHDAY LIVE! | Man City v Ipswich | Premier League

w [Music] [Music] [Music] Manchester City fans around the world a very good afternoon and welcome to Match Day Live welcome to the atat stadium for our first premier league home game of the season my goodness it is so great to be back and here we can see our boys in blue the four time in a row Premier League champions arriving here at the etad stadium for their 3:00 fixture Clash against newly promoted IP switch it's Oro here at the etad stadium if you're wondering who is dson our boys in bu flowers that there is Carinos brown one of the most iconic and famous singers coming out of Brazil in specifically Bayer because we are celebrating Bayer day of course one of the CFG sister clubs we have a Man City team over there so we're having a lovely little link up today so much has been going on in and around the etad stadium and we'll bringing you more of that later on in the show but let's get back to those boys Jeremy dku erling harand Edison will they be in the starting 11 well I can sneakily revealed the big man there on screen he does start he will be making his 101st game for City and my goodness how great was this new city fans the king returns IL Kai gundan back in a Manchester City sh back in the Manchester City squad as well does he start well I'll reveal that in just a moment so here we are our starting 11 Edison in goal keeping his position after that brilliant performance in his Chelsea Rico Lewis at right back Manuel aangi Partners alongside Ruben Diaz and completing our back four Mr yosco gardio moving into the Midfield a man of the match performance from kovic against Chelsea he's in the holding alongside the king Kevin De bruyne and our Midfield Maestro Bernardo Silva moving into our forward three players Jeremy dku will be lighting up one side of the pitch over on the other side svino making his ETA debut and the big man 101 appearances in a city shirt started the season with a goal and we'll be hoping for more of that today my name is Kel Bellman it is such a trick to be with you for this opening Premier League game of the season here at the etad stadium fresh of the back off that 2-n win against Chelsea at Stanford Bridge joining me to my left to Manchester City Legends in the form of sha Goa and Steve hoe uh Shan great to be back for the season isn't it sir yes certainly is uh just coming in and the vibe the atmosphere is really good it's a dry day sun's out n again you know bur behind the clouds but really looking forward to today certainly um after that game against Chelsea as well we couldn't have asked really for better start to the season and especially given it was a difficult place to go Steve I think it's going to be a difficult place for any team to go there but I think first game of the season there's always kind there can be upsets um and I think a lot of people would have been looking at that and thinking is that a b banana skin for for City first game of the season but how they went about the business that that day was absolutely brilliant um you know to come away with 2-0 I think there' be a lot of you know the teams that's going to be challenging for the for the for the Premiership will go there and not get anything yes I do think they'll find a way Chelsea to be fair um but yeah what a what a performance and of course coming here today against dip switch obviously everybody's g a fancy City but really looking forward to the game yeah really exciting let's dig into that City team then and more or less unchanged from that game against Chelsea let me just quickly run you through the subs as well Orga Walker Stones AK Jack greish Nunes Issa cabore maky and I'm saving the best till last IL Kai gundan on the bench we we get into more about him brand new signing this week for city um but what was your first impression Sean apart from seeing that starting 11 well I'm always always excited when I see City team because it's it's trying to figure out who's going to play where that's one of the big guesses but also just known the standards and I'm looking forward I always pretty much look at the forward players and saevinho you know we're seeing a little glimpse of him and I'm really excited to see what he can do uh just talking off very he was talking about uh how he was playing against karella the first sort of 15 20 minutes Jeremy duu and them switch uh and then we started to see what he was about he's getting a little bit more the ball doing a couple little stepovers and he was just like see you later so really excited uh to to see him and and and you know play play in there uh Ric is another one um he's really exciting player uh and we heard we heard pep talk about him in such glowing terms and uh saying about how he thought he thought back how he should be starting in more so that tells me that Rico will be starting a lot more because is basically saying he needs to trust him and he does trust him so yeah really excited to see those two in particular today I mean on on Rico I mean k Walker is on the bench Club Captain but obviously it was arguably bar kovic I thought was a man of the match performance against Chelsea has kept his place uh the sky feels like it could be the limit for Rico how much do you rate him Steve particularly as a Defender as well because Pep's also highlighted one-on-one how strong he is well oneon-one he's he's excellent because he he reads the player as well but I think obviously he's got fantastic Pace I think everybody was talking about I think is it net that came on and everybody Raves about his pace and there was a one-on-one with a two of them and he beat them to the ball so I think people don't seem to realize how quick the lad is yeah so defensively he's got everything but what he's very very good at is his distribution mhm I think you know you can be a good Defender we've seen people in the past playing for other teams that are very good Defenders but distribution wise they're not the best he's got the full package he really does as well and pep spoke about actually that one thing that Rico brings and I think he touched upon it last season is he enable City to play quicker is that just because of his brain Sean and actually you say because he's got the intelligence and the pass but it's his speed of play as well it's a speed speed of play his understanding you know to make the right decisions in the right part of the field there we're seeing him a little bit higher but he's he's just an intelligent player and again he's sort of beyond the years of of his knowledge of the game he plays you know one and two touch he doesn't dwell on it he's able to Regal his way out of really tight positions um there you see l interception L pass inside and Away City goes um you know he's he's he's also got he's a robust new player you know he's he gets knocked he gets like the uh physical challenges against him uh and he he just gets up and and gets on with gets on with it so um yeah great great future ahead for him but really pleased to see him uh again retain Hing Hing the spot and see what he does today what about this Sean through c yeah don't see I mean you got he's basically saying you you can't rush up on me real quick because if I can't go right I'll go left while I'll go Santa so keep them shot and so comfortable in the middle of the field as well um obviously we we we mentioned kovic there before man of the match uh against Chelsea and obviously we know big boots to fill with rodri but um seamlessly did that Steve didn't he and I think he'll do the same today yeah I mean it's no surprise he's he's still in the team um you know what he does for the team how he kind of makes to he shows everything up he's always in good positions you can see he's just in front of the player uh to receive the ball drives through gives the goalkeeper the eyes whips across it it's a great finish obviously showing a little bit respect there the Chelsea fans cuz he did have a good time there but just drives forward and you can see him looking the goalkeeper he uses the player just in front of him as well as that little bit of a kind of a block and you can see probably a better angle how he cuts across it goalkeeper got no chance so in regards to facing the nip switch team today we're going to be bringing you that team news uh very soon we've got alist man on commentary alongside Nikki Weaver so we'll head pitch side there in a in a little bit we're very used to kind of seeing teams coming and doing that two Banks of five assuming that AP switch might do the same uh how will City go about breaking that down and and will having two players like Dau and svho change maybe how we've seen City tried to do it in previous season short well yeah I mean they they will potentially have this low block but again because of their their bur of speed off the marks venho and and Jeremy duu because of their that first five yards when they sort of dro their shoulder to to perhaps go left but fake to go left and go right or vice versa to stick with them it takes incredible incredible pace so this is where they they have the beating of players I think you you'll see players overlap or underlaps uh in terms of fullbacks being inside so when they're out wide you can see Rico Lewis being inside so whilst they they're all perhaps doubling up on the ringer rolling the ball inside to Rico then he's able to throw a through bow for for Harland or cross um so it's many ways to sort of you know when a team have a low block can have a back five as many ways to sort of break that down so um they got to work cut out because again the two wiers in sveno and Jeremy duu um I wouldn't want to be faced them I'm sure I don't know if see want to face him as at any time I mean I think for for I switch today whether they're going to go with a three stroke five or whether they're go with a with a four at the back um we we've seen really good teams come here and get dismantled yeah um and I think for me this would be a huge eye opener for these Zips with players you know they've worked the socks off to get two successive promotions I think for them to come here I'm I'm assuming and and I'm imagining that some of the players after 10 minutes they' be looking at the the scoreboard thinking wow is the only 10 minutes gone you know have we got all I've got another 80 minutes plus to to to deal with this because it's just constant you know and that obviously we all know that City keep the ball so so well it's about that concentration can they keep the concentration I would have thought probably not um the manager will be probably s these players can we keep it tight for as long as we possibly can soon as that as soon as it's kind of their back Line's being breached and and City get the goal it it could literally be anything um but you know obviously he's got faith in his team they're the ones that's got them in this position y um but as I said I think it's going to be eye opening for them 100% and Steve makes a huge point because I I think a team like them coming I think they'll be looking at it in blocks of 15 minutes and I think one of the words that will be said to that team in that dressing room is listen the first 15 minutes keep a clean sheet stay solid stay compact try not to be penetrated but but City being City will be paltering in terms of overlapping runs and shots and through balls uh so I think and as Steve says they they'll look up at that you know at the time and think 15 minutes going and and it's so important for them to not concede in that opening yes 15 minutes because they all know that it's a long long way and City we thinking let's just you know put him to sword real early let's get a second let's get a third so I think that opening 50 minutes is is really going to be a tough period for them he scored scored in the the opening fixture against Chelsea was it was the first goal um also I think very much silenced karella earling Harland um he's of course going to be licking his lips Steve it was interesting though hearing pep speak about that he's he's the best form he's been at the start of the Season us you know we've had to wait maybe a month or two but because he had the full preseason he's come in fir him but talked about him wanting to maybe see him link up a little bit more would you like to see that kind of a bit more within his game as much as we know he puts the ball in the back of the net yeah I mean we we had seen in a few after the game um and I'm sort of saying of him like saying when he was being asked the question you know does he need to get it more involved because what he's doing at the moment is more than enough because he's scoring the goals yes does it if he's linking up does that is he dropping too deep and therefore can't get in the Box you know obviously as a manager as a supporter you want them to be involved as as as much as possible but ultimately as a forward you want him to score goals yes I mean goat used to drop drop deep but in all fairness because I know he scores goals you're wanting them you know get up there yes um but I mean I just found it funny really with a Cella thing because you're just thinking you know you're a grown man you know you've got no excuse to be saying things like that you know that it's going to bite you in the backside you know keep your mouth short and just sort of get on with it so of course I mean with his goal as well you can see karell comes across and he just Palms them off like get away just you know such strength but not only that strength he's got the ability with his feet as well just to move that ball away goalkeeper comes and again Erland had mentioned something about I think the the season before the goalkeeper made a save in particular against him and he thought well I know he does this so I'll try this and that worked so it just goes to show how much he does work off the pitch about his game and how did I finish this time did the goalkeeper see of it what's his weakness what's his strength and obviously he just dink the goalkeeper but you know a fantastic way to the start of the Season fantastic Sean when when when I don't know if you were asked to do that you know obviously we we know you were deadly in and around that that penalty penalty area but did it then does it help your game a little bit though to try and add that string to your bow or or does it hinder you from like getting the goals when you need them when you were R I always knew it was important to be in the box and when I when I went deep was because was trying to get into the game and that was because perhaps you know we were under the cush a bit so was trying to go deeper get involved in terms of opening the team defensively uh but if I could stay up top and not get involved because the team are handling it like City do today yeah I I don't feel it's a need I think we're looking for everybody to be perfect in everything and I think his perfect as a go score we don't need him to be perfect as as as as a hold up player we need him to be perfect scor and goal so sometimes he'll hold it up perfectly sometimes BS will come off him and we think oh he could have done slightly better but there's no one better that's going to go than than him you know every type of girl he's able to score so I'm not looking for him to be the all Run come short be like a I don't know a Massy coming short no you you be huling up top and score those goals and and because of the team we got and how we play tactically there there not a need and he he said it himself as Steve said in his interview like if that Mei that they seem to they got it why am I going deep you know why am I going deep I'm going stay up her and and wait for those opportunities so I think he goes deep what it's in need to help out the team defensively fantastic I've just um heard as well might have been wondering as I was not seeing Phil foden's name um in the squad today he is ill peps just said in his pre-match interview there so um we wish F all the best and a speedy recovery uh one man who isn't ill and one man who has come straight into the squad after reigning this week I mean it was music to Manchester City fans all around the world the reaction online has been amazing what a treat it is to welcome back ilai Gundam it's it's difficult to describe the feeling to be honest um when you leave this place you realize what you had you realize how amazing that time was you realize how big the club is the best club in the world the city it's gone already I don't want it to sound too nostalgic it's still you know about competing it's still about having that drive it's still about trying to be the best version of yourself you know and that's an ambition that I still have El you are the captain of the Champions League winners of course lifting the trophy is always an achievement and they feel like wow we achieved here really something special but the way to get there you know is much more special for me and um I I want that feeling back want to have this feeling back this this togetherness you know inside the team let's go outside enjoy together and come she's deer to BL into the penalty area my BR CL El it feels just so nice to be home the legend does indeed return IL Kai Gundam back in a Manchester City shirt of course after captaining this team to that historic treble winning season and of course in the eight years before that we really just got to see why pep made sure that it was his first signing even when he was injured because what a gift of a football and what a gift of a mind as well Stevie has just look at the clips there you know he's so vocal uh in the dressing room I think one of the telling things that he'd actually sort of said after he's just rejoined there is sometimes you don't realize what you've got until it's gone yes and I mean be in mind he's gone to Barcelona and then he's looking he must be looking around thinking it's probably's not as good as City because of this this and this um I mean what a player I've seen the interview with pep as well and he's probably not the biggest find of reigning players M um and also when when City do sign players sometimes it takes them a little bit to adjust it's not going to take him any time at all you know he was he was only here last year and he was one of the main players and you see some of the goals that he scores scores spectacular ones scores the ones at the back post which is so you know meaningful in games but I mean what a player what a character and I think it's an you know for me a master stroke bringing him back yeah it's it's an amazing bit of business as well I think we've got we've got him on a on a free as well so it's not cost us a penny um what do you think he's going to be able to bring and it might be an obvious question Sean but to this team I'm I'm really excited because you know when I when I when I thought about this season and I thought this now puts a little bit more expectation on our wi players in terms of producing producing goals because gundo was was a player that was you know was getting you 12 15 18 18 goals like scoring loads of goals and and if you look back at last season I were hovering around five to seven goals and it made me think our Wingers if we're going to go on to do a fifth time we're going to need our Wingers to chip in a little bit more and this is where I thought well gundo coming back and I go well we got those girls again this is this is what he brings he brings this ability and it's like as much as I don't know how teams don't know how they can spot it but his ability to to time a run to go into the box um and they don't recognize it it's it's it's sh intelligence um recognizing the space and the timing of it uh for me he's the best at it he really is um and this is what he really brings well along with the quality to be able to play six and play a defensive Midfield Ro he could play eight as in getting up going into the box he's he's he's so veratile in the type of a play is and uh they're again on Blind Side um such big important goals he's he's he chipped in and and you hear his interview what I love when I heard he him speak is he's a winner he's not come here to be like wow I had a great time in City yeah and be nostalgic as he said yeah he's like no no no no it's work to be done and it's like there things to be won and I'm sitting there thinking beautiful it is class I loved as well just the end there saying um I think his final sentence was it's it's good to be home and he does know really now this is his home I think he's even moved back into his to his old flat we're we're watching these these with the Villa goals I think we can also then see this this second one here as well and as just again Sean the the timing of the run the only other person I think that was probably as good at it was Frank Lampard that was another one that they always said was good at that wasn't it yeah exactly Frank Lampard was that sort of player that um you know was encouraged to go and run in the box but his his ability to keep the ball be involved in the buildup uh and just as the ball goes down the opposite side he's sort of you know I always use the term ghost and him ghosting in there as though they didn't see him it's just like and I wouldn't be surprised as I'm talking to her that he just pops up in between Venus because he used to ghost into the he used to ghost into these areas and you like how they don't know this how they don't see him but it's his intelligence to recognize and I I know as a forward there's a time as a Defender when a Defender has to look at the ball and that is that moment when you can make that make that run um and that's when by the time they then look back to have a second look to see where is he he's he's and with the quality that we have with the delivery it's like good night yeah I mean even I love that de br assist there as well for that second goal the other thing I did just want to point out because obviously he is 33 and this is more just you know Playing devil's advocate from the other side a few things are saw online was about him 33 I he kind of lost that kind of maybe that bit of speed or energy when you look at the stats in La Liga I think he covered the most miles in the entire Barcelona team I think he was one of the most effective and impactful players across the league where he created the most chances last season and then you saw his yose as well you can see that actually he's sustained that level that's also I think pet pointed out going his standards haven't dropped they're exactly where we still need them to be I think not only as an individual he's obviously a very fit still a young man let's be honest I mean but the sport Science you've got now which is completely different it was just kind of coming in a lot more when when we were kind of at that age um he knows how to look after his body and how to get the the maximum out of his body obviously you can't you can't even question in any way shape or form his ability or his quality um he he'll still feel as though he can do everything that he did last year but he did last year anyway in Barcelona in La Liga uh and he was obviously doing it for City for for years here so I don't think there's any kind of yeah he's 33 but he's only 33 that's the way I look at it yeah a lot of for me a lot of his speed is is speed of thought yeah you know cuz I reckon if you know if you took our you took him and and he had to Sprint against the opposition it'd probably be middle middle out pack so he not really outstanding in terms of but I think it's up her where he sees it a fraction of a second earlier yes and that's where it's like well how's he got there how's no one seing him how is it it's the intelligence of understanding that particular situation of now is the time to go now is the time to arrive so um it doesn't need the speed and a Steve side with technology of of how they look after the SM science and how they look after themselves he's got plenty years ahead he's got plenty of years it really does um I just wanted to quickly ask as well cuz it was interesting that they talk about him choosing his number so he's um opted to go for number number 19 um he said he didn't want to pick 21 or 22 because he didn't win a trophy wearing either of those numbers at Barcelona or with Germany um I just wondered do you guys have any superstitions around shirt numbers at all um when I when I was at Newcastle I was number six yeah uh and when I signed for City I asked about the six number um and Jo Jo Roy obviously was the manager and he said Kevin Harlock has got it now I wasn't going to come in and say well I want that number so I went okay not a problem so 24 was available yeah so two and four was six so that's why I went with that ah okay nice Sean yeah for me um back then nine in England nine was the number that people was like you're number nine you're the number nine but I actually always won at 10 because for me globally 10 was like the player was like you're 10 you're not that he thought much of himself is it number 10 all right that messy yeah but that that's how I thought you know I was like well number 10 I would prefer number 10 because whenever I looked at football globally it was like the 10 were the ones that made the difference now I'm not saying I was those type of players but people remember the 10 yeah you know but now nowadays players have made their own number you know they made that number special you know like kdb's made 17 special because the quality player he is yes um but yeah that for me it was it was 10 10 no how fun he was you number 10 they thought oh you're a player there okay listen but say you're a player in number nine you know what I mean right let's uh let's pause here on your commentary team today alist man is joined by Nikki Weaver and we can head to them pitch side now they'll also bring you the IP switch team yeah thanks Kell I know you've been talking about the city lineup myself and Nikki Weaver on commentary duty today we've just been absorbing it as well Nikki the first thing that strikes you of course is that unusually peps kept the same yeah I mean it's not such a big surprise because they've had you know a four week's rest normally they've got a midweek game so he has to shuffle the pack a little bit but yeah obviously it served him well last week against Chelsea with a with a great opening 2-n win hopefully more of the same today the outstanding performers and let's face it was a great team performance people talked about matio kovic and Rico Lewis what were your thoughts on their performances I'm a huge fan of cover I think he's a player that other players really appreciate if you look at his career he's played at all the top clubs he's one all the major trophies and he really was a fantastic signing for us last year Rico Lewis um you know for one so young to be so intelligent and he's a real pet-like player uh he can play in a couple of positions so he's a little bit of a hybrid Pro as well so yeah so those two were the standout performers but it was a good team performance as well and then when we go to the bench and we see the name ilai gundan were you as shocked as anybody when you saw that he was coming back yeah I mean it's just something that obviously left last year to go to Barcelona which that's obviously what he wanted at that time um it's not worked out for him as what he would have liked and he's obviously had the opportunity to the club sense that and and they've acted on it very quickly I'm sure there was little bits in the pipeline before we got wind of it but yeah once last few days it's picked up pace and uh obviously everyone's delighted to he's an iconic player at this club and everyone was sad to see him go and but equally they're so happy to see him back as well and of course they're signing a player who just retired from International Football so it's a bonus that that's the case as well isn't it yeah he's another year further on in in his journey so so the years are pushing on a little bit but yeah by by retiring from International Football he's had a great International career um it'll just allow him a little bit more time for a bit of rest and recuperation and that can only be a benefit to City of course one player who's not involved today Phil foden is ill but I've got the it lineup as well we'll have a quick look at that for you right now uh in goal they've got another ex City player in Aro Mich who I know you know we'll talk about him in a moment Leaf Davis Sam Mory who's their Captain Luke wolfenden Ben Johnson Liam dap another ex City player of course Amari Hutchinson new signing for them Samy schmod gets his first Premier League start today Jacob grebs masimo Luongo and axel Tuan who was of course also a United player a few years ago on the bench again there are one or two names familiar to Championship viewers but not many players there on the bench who you would think have had Premier League experience and one of their new s Innings yen custe is on the bench for them they've just signed him from Sera a few standout names I know you know one or two of them but Aro Mich in particular straight into the starting lineup after a bit of a nigle yeah I mean Christy Walton played last week um I think it did okay to be fair but obviously we sign a with a lot of money from Burnley and he's going to be their number one I first got alerted to him probably five or six years ago by a goalkeeper coach at City when I was working at Sheffield Wednesday saying what a bright future he' got um he went to Nottingham Forest I think alone it didn't quite work out for him but ultimately you know um Vincent company took him to Burnley cuz he knew him from his City connections and and yeah it's a great opportunity to him to really make a mark on his career and from what you've seen of Liam dap should City fans be a little fearful of him coming back here today yeah listen he's he was a player that broke in a few years ago scored on his debut I think when he was 17 um I think he's had injuries and a few loans so he's not really worked out for him at city but listen they got a good P Sur fre for him so I think it's good business for the club it's what the club do um and it's is his real opportunity for him to stamp his mark on the Premier League but yeah he'll be desperate um you know to score against his old club now Samy smodic was probably one of the players of the season in the championship last season Blackburn team who was struggling what are his qualities well he sort of plays he can drift in off the wide he can play that number 10 he's not an out andout Striker but he can play up there as well he running behind and he's just got that Knack of he's a really good finisher he makes late runs I think it was 28 29 Championship goals last year um he's an experienced player I think he's you know 27 28 29 that sort of age so yeah they've paid a lot of money for him at that age but it'll be interesting to see can he he's done it the championship can he step up to the Premiership and you also quite familiar with masimo Luongo as well another player who again the city fans might not know anything about yeah Australian International MIM I work closely with him at Sheffield Wednesday for a few years really good Pro sort of like an old Wy Fox he knows his way around the pitch he knows the you know dare I say the dark Hearts um but yeah again it's the first time he's played in the Premiership as it is with a lot of these players and don't forget some of these players just over year ago played in League one so it reminds me of my time at City when we got back to back promotions and it's a huge huge step up they did really well last week against Liverpool particularly in the first half they couldn't quite keep keep it going um but I don't think they're going to be judged on how they do against Liverpool and City you you've almost stolen my thunder of my final question which was as a player who went two divisions promotion promotion up to the Premier League was the Gap much bigger between League one and Championship than it is to the championship in the Premier League or is it the other way around I think it's Championship to Premier League just a I think it's the finances it's you know the finances from League one to the champion there's a big disparity in the championship the top clubs compared to the Bott clubs where the Premier League they've all got you know a lot of five power a lot of money um and they can throw the weight around in the transfer Mark it's going to be a really tough tough test routs which it was too tough for us and we went down at the first attempt but you know Kieran McKenna has done a fantastic job he's one of the you know most highly rated young managers up andc coming managers link with some big jobs there going to be a huge test for them um but they've got a really concentr on the teams that in and around where they're going to be in the league um but yeah they'll enjoy the journey but they also want to put on the league as well well well have plenty more from Nikki in a few minutes time where we're going to be reflecting on past games against ipswitch town and remember this is the first time that ipswitch will have ever played here at the etti hat back to you Kell thank you Ali thank you weaves as well and yeah don't go anywhere as well because we are going to look at what happened the last time Manchester City and IP switch met but before that let's focus back in on today's opponents Steve I actually felt for the first 60 Minutes against Liverpool they they gave a great account of themselves you was alluded to at the start of the show that obviously the concentration that you need and also I guess the stamina when you're coming up against teams of quality is maybe just where they kind of lost it I guess against Liverpool um but how do you think they're going to fare taken out there the first two games against Liverpool and city um it's it's how quickly they'll learn m because the the premier the Premier League is very very Unforgiven you know and um you you make mistakes in the championship you might get away with it in the Premier League you very rarely get away with it and I think the first game against Liverpool look towards the end Liverpool could could have been three or four and I think they should have made it three or four um you know a lot of people are sort of say it's best to play the the big teams first so of course they've got Liverpool and they've got City but in the Premier League there's no there's no letup no you know you you as fans you looking at the fixtures and you're seeing yes we've got Liverpool yes we've got Manchester City yes we've got this one yes but then when the season starts to gets really tough you look at the fixes going oh we've got Man City again oh we've got Liverpool again oh we've got Arsenal oh we've got Chelsea oh we've got Tottenham we've got Manchester United we've got this one that one um you know traveling up maybe to Newcastle on a Wednesday night and if it's raining and cold it's and you're getting beat it's it's it's it can be quite miserable and and sort of um sort of breaks you down really that's why the players have got to be s s together yes and obviously there's been a lot said about the the manager Kier McKenna um he's going to have to earn his money this year as well because you know to to keep the lads up because obviously you can't really see them getting anything today and I think I might be full them that they've got next yes um the just the need to get a couple of points on the board in the first six games which is going to be tough uh but at the same time listen they they deserve to be here I think they can enjoy today you know they'll be the players will come out and look look around the pitch and they'll be like wow what a stadium the noise is going to be absolutely electric um but at the same time once the whistle blows you know forget about all the like kind of I'm so looking forward to the Premier League because as I said it it is so brutal at times and it's and it's very harsh yes and it will be a case like we mentioned before they look up at the clock and think wow we've still got 85 minutes to go and there could be already 2-0 down by then you know it's a it's a tough skill it really is they might might not even touched the ball as well um looking at dap of course is is leading the line for them that's n he scored on his senior debut for City actually back in 2020 when he was 17 I am I I think here we can watch it now but I'm delighted for de I've really closely followed him through the academy uh I think it's great that he's got this opportunity how do you think he's going to fair today is a tough ass but generally as well and what do you make of him as a striker because he's built for the Premier League I think yes he is and um you know a lot of the knowledge and he that he's learned at City you look to try to use the gang city um but he's he's he's a player that he I haven't seen him train a little bit he's he's a player that that wants to strike everything very hard and I think what the coaches will try to get him sometimes is not how hard you kick a ball sometimes it's just about placement uh but that being said I think he'll be fired up today cuz he'll be like playing against City but at the same time he'll be dreading it CU he knows how well City keep the ball he knows that City want to draw Striker to go chase uh and perhaps go pressure Addison to then pick him off and then pick the next play off and and and work their way you know all the way up to the top of the field so whilst he'd be excited he'd also be thinking I could be chasing Shadows um but I think from from their point of view it's about giving a good account of themselves the last thing they'll probably want is to to walk away five or six nil defeat because then it becomes even a more challenge to go in the next game he's I think if they can go away as a free hit and go okay we' played this game we've lost 2-1 uh 2-0 31 that's respectable but I think what they can do is go get beaten five or six because then the following game even looks even difficult then too because they got to pick themselves up really does uh Ali and and we did mention him but the new signing smodic as well hell of a player in the championship and and probably another man that we need to keep an eye out for today Steve yeah he scores goals I mean as go sort of said a goalkeeper it's just there's the natural Instinct and and he certainly got that what was it 27 goals or something last seasoned um so if he gets a chance he knows where the back of the net is so of course you've got to look you've got to you know look after these people and and be aware of of them I mean we're talking about this could have be relatively comfortable for City they could start out the blocks and you know get an early goal yeah you know in football you just never know but he's certainly a player that you would watch um I thought the fee that that appeared Blackburn was relatively low given the fact of how many goals that he scored but but you know he's here today he he'll be wanting like s and like the lab that we've just mentioned you know it's a perfect platform to show everybody how good they actually are and I guess as well for for for Kieran as well who has been spoke of so so highly and and I was delighted actually my my best mate from school is an nip switch fan and I was I was delighted for him that that he has stayed cuz he has really made him out with this team he's still quite a young team as well yeah can you see he seems to be the manager where he doesn't really want to change his philosophy too much peping that way go no we're going to play this way whoever the opponent is you have to Cate that slate against City but you can still see them probably trying to come out us a little bit today if they get the opportunity sure well yes listen it's right sticking to to to your way of playing but then when you are you know playing a much more superior team I think you have to have uh be smart and your moments that you choose to go right we're going to go for it and also we need to be wise and be pragmatic and I think um a wise manager would do that I think that's what he'll look at today I think he'd be a fool to say let's make this an open game and just go Toe to Toe with City I think he'll be smart and wise and think okay there are times when we if we have momentum and we've got momentum let's use that momentum but if we knock up momentum then we bet in we make it difficult for City and then we wait for those moments and we try to frustrate City and I think that would be the game plan indeed I just reading here as well McKenna is the 76 manager that pep has faced and he has beaten 72 of the 75 managers that he's faced the three that he hasn't beaten was keman uh agnu and and karanka they're the only three some interesting stat um right now let me cast your mind back because did you know that Sean go and Nikki Weaver both played in our last game against IP switch it was in 2002 in an FA Cup game well let us just jog your memory as we take a trip down memory lane I think the I switch game even though I wasn't involved just watching it I thought we were absolutely [Applause] fantastic oh belovich oh it's a goal for Manchester City and is Bovi has hit a volley from outside the area and now there's going to be a r because don't think that should have been a corner there there's plenty of celebrations on that side of the Dugout but on the other side IPS won't be very happy burkovich hit it really well though tell you forget what happened about the goal kick or Corner what a fantastic strike this is right oh that's a bad pass and they're away now Manchester City they've got a man over here Nicholas yens To burkovich Go's ahead of him this is Shan Goa good shot for City it's 2-0 sha go to scores and it's well deserved they've dominated the second half Keegan's team and the reward comes and go to finish [Applause] well that's Herman heridas and Peralta oh Stewart no hit the frame of the goal corner what a let off for Weaver here's Armstrong for ipswitch bent Stewart and that's Marcus bent yes what a shot from there 30 yds B and uh Here Comes Armstrong could be 22 oh what a good save by Nikki Weaver beraria still tricky still inventive gets it back from go player to his left he hucke oh and now it's Marshall and now it's go and it's 31 City sh go gets his second goal well John if anybody deserves a win away from home it so as the 2,000 fans travel from Manchester they've been fantastic there the support of the team oh on side Darren huab is here in for number four is he round the goalkeeper hucke goal it's a threshing now for it switch to and it's a really memorable night for Manchester City yeah thanks ke welcome back to pit side my co- commentator today Nikki Weaver Nikki you were part of the city Squad I'm going to say Squad because you didn't play in one of the games when City last met ipswitch what are your memories of playing against them in the early 2000s yeah I mean I I both good and bad against ipswitch I played against nips witch Richard R was in nips witch goal it was just over our shoulder now and it um it was always pitted against me and Richard R for the England under the 21 spot he was ahead of me at that point he was a year older than me so yeah I've got fun memories of s both good and bad when you go back to that season City lost to them and went down seems to as [Music] St we will uh we will go back to Al man and Nikki Weaver in just a moment I don't know if it was because of the uh the electricity that ran through the stadium cu the boys in blue took to the pitch they've just gone to started warming up there to some cheers erling harland's out there as well um all very exciting building up to this first home game of the season against IPS Rich toown um Sean should we begin with the goals then in that uh that classic FA Cup fixure 4-1 win do you remember it well yes I do um I mean that was the time we started really bringing in some quality players you know Steve H had to back out and keep things a bit solid but I barfish scored a goal and I thought it was was absolutely beautiful we saw it there with the the corner um Steve may not remember but um uh Keegan actually asked if I want to be the one on take the volley I know for a fact he never I guarantee he said I need somebody High technical ability to to finish you off that but we did we did mention something sorry go but the the first one people talk about the mes UL thing when he hits it in the ground and we were talking you did this unbelievably well and it worked it does it yeah um time in my run Ali babia you know he was I have to say Nicholas Jansen I think he was so underrated Quality quality player he was a good player you couldn't get the ball off him like runers or anything but yeah nice little finish we wouldn't talk about me missing the Hat of there my defensive duties but uh I know I thought you might have started trying to fake an injury as well yeah yeah yeah cuz I think I only lost two Hatters in my whole time so that was one of them but um come on weaves one job don't save the the five yard shot save the 35 35 yard well and what we making of the hair the haircut there from we not great not great I mean in all fairness I mean there's not very many people can pull a Airy off like that and waves wasn't one of them actually I thought um but it was good see but the we had two l in Midfield who were just um you know Island Ali wonderful players and and of course just that goal there he was he was like the fox in the boxes we spoke about it before you know just the natural ability of knowing roughly where the ball's going to go and go had it in absolute you know abundance well I mean I think the final goal as well is this the this is the hooker wasn't it the fourth one but I I actually saw the did they put on on social media I saw the the the starting 11 for this of the team uh that played here and it's amazing 11 you know obviously weav bought you had Richard dun at the back Gerard vings as well I absolutely loved as you say as well you got uh burkovich and Babu in the middle you were up top such a strong Squad that isn't it we had some good players H as well was righty was there I think later was I'm not sure if svan D dtin was there at that particular time not sure might have been a little bit afterwards but we had some good players yeah really good players I mean the dressing room was a billiant dressing room to be in as well I mean we got all kinds of characters I mean dick off was in there as well well he was a handful Kevin H was here is a wrong oh what a see oh that was that was that was the league one this is this is the FA Cup one there yeah horlock in the middle shaie as well over on the right yeah yeah Stuart Pierce C next to Richard da yeah so so strong can we actually bring up bring up that other one though cuz I like this was then when we faced I think I switch last time was in the league uh if we can bring up that starter level as well cuz there's some brilliant names on and we'll go I mean Danny tiato that Dan Danny tiato will cause an argument in the telephone box he would he'd lit have fight with himself if he couldn't fight with anybody Carlo Nash there as well I mean Jeff Whitley of course um Paulo W as well remember you saying when he was just an absolute Beast was he was so strong um that was when we last met them in the Premier League in 2001 um right we heard from them before we can actually head back to man and Nikki Weber now let's see let's see if Nikki does comment on what he was thinking with that hair do when you go back to that season City lost to them and went down seems to as strange thing to say but they were very different times very different yeah and um obviously we knew it switch I'm coming up with him as well uh played so we played him a lot over a few years we had League Cup games as well against them and yeah I think I think it was a a Monday night game that um ultimately we lost and we went down and yeah it was very very disappointing after sort of the Euphoria of the previous two seasons with the back-to-back promotions then to to get relegated in that manner um and then obviously Bal back the season happen so yes we're very disappointed that night against lip and yeah one that sort of still rumbles away now what are your memories of the 4-1 FA Cup win because that was a bit of an FA Cup shot as city with a team one division below yeah I mean at my memories are we stayed down there for a few days a lot of teams used to do for the FA Cup and and Carlo and Ash actually been playing and Kevin King just pulled you in the morning oh going to play it tonight and Brilliant so I was absolutely excited for the game and just remember Al burk's first goal was an absolute stunner and uh Fair the goat got a couple um typical sort of shown goals and uh and then downby finished it off and yeah we we won 4-1 and it was a real uh you know a real dubbing of a premier league outfit then so yeah it was a bit of a shock and um but we know we got the job done and I don't think we surprised ourselves but we probably surprised a lot of other people interestingly obviously this is the first time it switch have played at the etti had but they actually won on their last two visits to Main Road uh you remember that in in a bad way yeah again like I said we played it we temp to play a lot over a couple of years and um obviously like I say it's their first um visit to the etad so yeah we had mixed results against them they had some good good young players I remember you know playing against like young Kieran D was there Richard rght was there James scra Matt Holland all these kind of players so they had a really good blend of Youth and experience um yeah so like I said both good and bad memories I wonder if you remember I was commentating on it actually it was a Worthington Cup tie there's a trivia question who are the sponsors of the League Cup but uh and it was one all dickov PA dickov makes it 1-1 and gr and Paul then abandons the game because of a water log pitch do you remember much about that one yeah we I mean the pitch was okay in the warm up and then there was a bit of a delug just before kickoff and then that continued the early part of the game I reach went one0 up um and we were sort of trying to call for the you know game to S weren't too pleased but then Paul dickov scored and then literally as soon as he scored it was an easy decision for GR Paul referee and yeah he uh you know he he called the game off so yeah so like I said we played a lot in a short space time against itwi and uh both good and bad members but that's one that sticks out because that's one of the few games I ever played in that got called off just thinking about I mean we alluded to it before but just thinking about the fact that you went up two divisions then came down after that defeat against zp Switch I guess there are lessons that you learned if you were passing on lessons to the ipswitch players now who've done that two promotions in a row what did you learn from that experience well I was already young lad they were my first two seasons playing the back-to-back promotions and and we sort of R the CR of a wave that second season went up again and it was probably a little bit too soon um but you've got to try and you know make the most of it I'm sure the fans have have 22 from the Premier League and have an absolute ball this season they'll really enjoy going to grounds like this and Tottenham and the Em which probably never been to before so yeah they've got to really enjoy it and like Luton did last year but they've also got of um you know grab the ball by the horns and try and get as many points as I can I don't think they're going to be judged on games against Liverpool last week and sit this week they're almost two three hits for them but when they playing teams in around them that's where they've really got to pick up points and did it have a sort of psychological blow of of getting relegated in the first season back is that always a fear yeah because we we actually started off okay um so sort of we did really well early on and once we got into the winter months it became really difficult and when you're going away to you know Newcastle and Arsenal and Manchester United and Tottenham three points is massive and and you can go quite a long time you know you're not often in the Premier League you're not playing midweek game so once the Cup start coming you might only have two games in in a month sometimes so it's really difficult to pick up the points and each point in the Premiership is so precious especially for the teams that are going to be down in the bottom half the thoughts there of Nikki Weaver Nikki's on commentary Duty with me this afternoon make sure that you download the app and make sure that you listen to me and Nikki describing everything to you uh now I don't think Nikki played in the last game that City face it which I might be right on that I might be wrong but I know that the two guests in studio did maybe they've not got very happy memories of it either thank you Al yeah we're going to pick up on that in just a second but just a very very bit moving moment to be honest El Kai Gan take to the pitch returning to the ETS Stadium to a a really brilliant warm Round of Applause from all the fans in the stadium and as well as his fellow teammates there as well I think they come in for their the honor a little flick of the ear I think or a little slap on the head as well to to welcome him back um but a really special moment and it just feels right to see him back in that City top um so from happy memories of gunan coming back back to that fixture in 2001 uh Steve and sha both know it was the fixture that that took us down and you were saying as well there was the draw to man united was it I think or yeah cuz I think they they could have put us down if we'd uh if we'd lost on that game and to be fair we the they had so many chances when we managed to hang on and and get a one-1 draw and then obviously we went down iwit I think we were winning one nil I'm I'm sure go scor um yeah that's the the G strip um unfortunately just couldn't hold on oh and then and then do you get injured short yeah they say they say it wasn't Brave very brave he's going into on the line 40 on the line it so short the way you C what was the injury I don't know why that's made me laugh so much what a goal what was the injury was it like a well Collision you know that they thinking got to take him out going in where it hurts I've going in where it hurts but yeah I think as i' because of how I've landed on the keeper and him coming out just caught me just on it on the back but best soon subsided you know I think with Richard Wright actually was in goal which is quite funny obviously he's part of the goalkeeping setup as well but he was in goal there we would say that that was actually maybe the turning point of the game cuz you go off and then suddenly Steve yeah I mean it was it was hard really because you know I had such high expectations of um of the team when I when I joined and we we learned a a valuable lesson that year cuz obviously the team had just had come up yes um but we went away uh dusted ourselves off came out won the championship in you know at out of Breeze really yeah yeah and then of course you know we progressed as a team and went on from strength to strength from there it did indeed in fness they were a team that they were always the one challenging us you know in terms of like challenging us to either win the league or or uh in terms of stopping us in some way IPS was their team I always remember you know some of the forwards as well in terms of like Marcus Stewart I thought it was a clever Center forward he was he wasn't he was short but he was really clever can go deep and make Defenders think should should I go tight and on him but he was really clever scored goals consistently it was always up there around me in terms of top goal scorer uh so it's always you know look forward to those games zip but yeah was some great memories there so speaking of memories and going down memory lane that was 23 years ago we actually sent uh Manchester City fan big Ste uh down to uh the tractor boys there to meet a fellow fan and speak about the change in fortunes that happened to both clubs since that game 23 years ago EP switch still have hopes of the Champions League alive Manchester City are down it was one of the worst journey home I remember Manchester City are relegated to the Nationwide League I was in the away and a little bit upset you beat us the go up last the year before and we went up through the playoffs it was a great night for us it was just we just found it funny it's too painful for some we had a slight glimmer of hope Sean Goa scored go him with a follow up maybe we can we can save ourself and then uh you hit back two goals yeah two late goals and uh I remember coming out of a absolutely gutted and thinking the dream had over you was on the way to Europe yeah we' already call qualif for the UFA cup and we were still going over the Champions League so we just thought we were on the way up and going to kind of do what man city done to dominate English football for a while but your fans were taking the Mi they had little signs you are the weakest link goodbye and uh and now it's gone full look what happened from then on yeah you spent a long long time um bouncing around the divisions like we used to do just bored in in the championship for 17 years that they were they were dark days we just sit up there and game would start we just watch horse racing on our phones and just and then we'd have our first shot after about 80 minutes and everyone would celebrate you know just dull dull dull times then watching you what you did all the players you were ass signing all the trophies you were winning we were just bored we've been on a fantastic run it started in 2008 with a takeover um big players Carlos TZ Etc and then the journey we've been on now from where we was has been unbelievable and like you say you were just floating around in division one nothing quite happening yeah was kind of we went down to League one and we thought this would be the kick we need um I remember chatting to a lead fan and he said you'll love lead one but you'll get bored after about 3 or 4 years and the fourth year when we went up I remember going to Cambridge and we drew 1-1 and they started playing We Are the Champions and yeah I've had enough of this league now we've got to get out somehow and then we went on an amazing run get out of it to get into the championship no like I say we got into Europe um under man China um started to find our feet in the Champions League obviously the Aguero moment batelli Aguero stering just staring there was going to say the agua moment in the pub was just unbelievable everywhere around the country just something they're throwing it away again was you rooting for us though yeah I think so yeah kind of bit of a neutral weird again find it funny that you you were going to throw it away at the final hurdle typical City typical City that's what we thought like get you relegating you down here thought they just going to do it and then now you're going to throw it away and then just what happened after that amazing it speak about the manager now your manager now the what he's doing at the football club and things like that is fantastic he's a great manager and what he's and he's improved every player that's been at the club you can see the style of football he wanted to play from the first day he walk in the door and since then we just been attacking entertaining scoring record amount of goals watching football here compared to what it used to be like just you can't even compare the two it's just exciting to come down we all desperately get in the ground now looking forward to the next game really was just do we have to go Mike that said you enjoyed a good time you got to go for all the misery so all those playoff defeats we had he meant it's going to happen and when it does happen you're going to enjoy it far more than anyone else you know and now you must feel that that you know all the suffering that you went through to now we out doing man united must be amazing we got promoted in 199 at Gillingham like you said and they won the treble so to fast forward it to last year and to win the treble it's things that as a kid you can only dream you can't imagine it can you no it's unbelievable yeah so when we went up with you when we won the playoffs and then we finished fifth we thought going to the money we're going to invest in the team we just want to go from strength to strength beat into Milan down here 1 n just look what could possibly go wrong you know we were in the relegation Zone we beat into the land we just thought we'll be right we're going to stay up and then we went on a little run think we won six out of seven we started looking at the end of Ufa cup again can we qualify for Europe again and then went on a dreadful run got relegated never return until now let's see where the journey takes us good to see you you too enjoy the game [Applause] Saturday nice one to Big St for going down there to meet tractor boy fan Dan and also does just make you appreciate how lucky and fortunate we are to have seen what we've seen particularly since that takeover if you've just tuned in thanks for joining us on Match Day Live Kel Spellman alongside Shan go and Steve hoe our starting 11 is on the bottom of your screen I'll quickly run you through it Edison Lewis aangi Ruben Diaz yosco gardol kovic in the Midfield with de bruy and Bernardo Silva and then saevinho and dku on the wings which one we don't know I'm sure they'll decide and earling Harland up front um now he's not in the squad today sadly due to illness as confirmed by Pep Guardiola but it was a very special week not just for City players but in particular Phil foden and Bonnie Shaw Phil foden of course getting the PFA Player of the Year award thoroughly deserved and it is the one I think for for players and Phil the fact that it is voted for by your fellow peers it's the one that means the most and um you know it was a it was a standout season for Phil it really felt like we know what he's been doing since he was 17 but he really carried City at times last season I think that was the thing where he's taken that next step Steve yeah I mean if you if you look though individually not even just just even in City's team there was some wonderful performances all through the season but it just go to sure how good his his season was I mean he was absolutely exceptional and as I said while there was other players that did do fantastic things um there was only one winner I mean I was at that game as well and um I mean just some of the stuff that he does you know even somebody that for me that's being on a park you know played with really good players um I sometimes watch him and think wow you know it's sometimes he he still kind of amazes me and I and and I would class myself somebody that's been around wonderful players yes um so you know even this go I mean sh I mean I think the goalkeeper got to do a little bit better uh he's got absolutely no chance you can put two goalkeepers in and you're not saving that but what a player there was there was a great clip um one of my favorite things I love at the end of every season is the interview that calun gives and this was of course the the final game of the season we win and we win the league and Phil phone did that in 10 minutes but uh calun said he was at the train at the CFA the day before and he said as they were finishing training you know he was you know kind of slapped all the lads said hello and that good luck for tomorrow he said but one player stayed out on the pitch and it was Phil foden and he says what he was doing was just nailing that shot that goal that we score there he said he did it for half an hour 45 minutes he says and that's almost what defines Phil as well as what we probably don't see is how hard working he is behind the scenes exactly and and and that movement him receiving the ball in that little pocket he's he's the best at the world at receiving balls like that you you think the player may be just two yards off him but he has the confidence the ability the awareness to just receive it on the turn uh and he's got a great strike as we're seen here in some of the clips I mean again two keepers are it's not it's not stopping it so don't surprise me you know because he's been that sort of player all the way through the academy and putting the extra the extra sessions in um but it's typical of him receiving bows in those sort of positions and and having that that wonderful strike yeah I mean he's nicknamed the sniper and uh yeah 19 goals in 35 Premier League games um it's quite amazing and echoing what you say sta fortunate enough to be able to watch City here at the etad every home game and at least twice in the game he will do something and I'll turn to my younger brother and we're both like I don't I don't know how he's done that and you can I find it I love seeing now that you see players like inesta or a sort a clip of Eden Hazard all these Legends of the game when they're asked who is the best player or favorite player to watch Phil foden I mean that speaks volumes doesn't it it it's huge I mean and the thing is ultimately you law people just think well he's he's got a given talent and it is it's talent but I tell you what the amount of hard work that goes in like you just sort of said you know when the jamman was was here uh watching and he's out for you know an extra half an hour 45 minutes an hour just practicing all kinds of aspects of his game you know you don't just turn up and produce it no that's hours and hours of hard work on top of ability yeah and I and also at the awards sorry Steve as well to on bunny Shaw sorry Sean as well I forgot to mention as well um and she had a Stell season last season in the WSL yes uh bunny Shaw she she's amazing she's um a top top player top Striker I think for the type of Striker she is for me she's the best in the world because she's she has a desire to win she's got a bravery and she's got the quality and the awareness and understanding to know that in this given situation this is what's required to score this goal and that's what's really good about her she knows that different scenarios it requires this sort of finish I need to go around the keeper I need to love the keeper need to I need to just smash it she she understands those scenarios and why she has such a prolific record of scoring and I don't I I imagine she'll be in the list of names again next season um but she's yeah really phenomenal and and that's that's the what you want to win the one that for your par of KN um she's she's an amazing player amazing B I mean really excited as well we're going to be covering uh the the women fixures they off in preseason in Australia as well Match Day Live will be with you we've made some really exciting signings as well with our women's team so far really excited to see what the season could hold for them as well Sean for yes uh Gareth is you know he's again over the preseason and looked at looked at Players sorry throughout the season looking at players and he's he's brought in a couple new players and I think it's really um he's excited about what's what will unfill with the players so all looking forward to it absolutely I'm wishing them all the luck as well as I say Match Day Live will'll be covering them as well also have to mention in the PFA women's uh Team of the Year we also had uh Keaton green W Alexandri hassa and hemp congratulations to them and in our men's team rodri Walker and Harland as well joined Phil in the team of the year and just a final word on Phil it was something that rodri said because Jolan always makes a point when people go where is you know foden's kind of bar Jones like he's been doing it since he was 17 I think Rod re nailed what was different last season was that he said he saw him grab graes by the Scruff of the neck and go I'll carry this team and I think that was the difference and probably what will'll get more of now for the next hopefully 10 years and Beyond I think the difference between very good players and exceptional players is that kind of when it's tough games yeah and you need something to happen you're looking at your so-called star players to do something yeah and he stood up more than you know more often than not yes you know look at the different positions that City found themselves in and he'd be the one that you know to use the term grab the you know kind of the game by the Scruff of the neck and do something which completely changes the game completely changes momentum which ends up City winning the game it does indeed going back to Squad numbers as well he's made 47 his own hasn't he really like a number 10 seven and four not not quite tags not right now you may have seen anyone we've got a really exciting new partnership with Sony there is loads going on check this out this app is nice FG check this out thanks Erin favorite space is available for you to download now enjoy an amazing virtual etad Stadium experience like never before watch immersive highlights of every home game what do you think about that Natalie oh I love this app join the fan banner and complete the city quiz what do you mean I didn't get 100% in the quiz customize your avatar and communicate with other [Music] fans this looks just like the real Press Room so what do they need to do early download now and see you there [Music] well I know what I'll be doing after the game and after the show is downloading that the new fan Banner app brought to you by Sony in partnership with Manchester City super super cool so make sure you get on there and download that and also we've got a very special event happening on September the 14th uh which will be happening down here at the stadium as well but if you're on the app you can get involved so as I say download that brand new app the fan Banner app now I've taken my top off and you're thinking well it looks like it's City shirt K is it kind of is it's actually a Bayer FC shirt um I got this when I was lucky enough to go over to Salvador and actually go and see for myself our sister Club in Bayer and that is why today around the etad we are celebrating Bayer day we've had um Infamous singer there Kos Brown uh one of the most iconic and famous singers out of Brazil performing for us at the etad stadium we've had capera happening outside the stadium we've seen some beautiful really cool car colorful outfits uh and also as well he was the man greeting the players as they arrived at the stadium um I was fortunate enough as I say to be over in Salvador and it was the most beautiful country and place with so much Soul so much life and I really found it quite interested in that the similarities and parallels I could pull from Bayer to Manchester you know Bayer being up north in Brazil very similar to Manchester almost it felt a lot more working class A lot more industrious and just like our Stadium here just like main road was it really was in the heart of the people the stadium and their love and passion for the game almost mirrors ours in a way I could almost say might even supersede it a little bit so it was an absolute treat and pleasure to welcome uh people over from Bia and celebrate as well the partnership between us and Baya FC and fingers crossed as well they'll have a successful season but Sean you were you had a great time coming in you said it was busy outside the etad stadium wasn't it full of life and and vibrant colors and music yes it was and uh I was coming in I was thinking a little bit of the carnival you know I was thinking I was coming in I was like okay okay baby yeah yeah it was it was really good nice atmosphere um yeah everybody's really looking forward to it and yeah it was really good entertaining out there the front it really was as we say so exciting that we get to link up with our sister clubs around the world so maybe if you're watching from Brazil as well do and thanks for watching aurio I believe would be the phrase there um but by UFC as well brilliant to be celebrating by your day uh now to do that as well what have I got behind me well this is our goalkeeping Jersey and I've had a word and I'm going to go find Edison after the game and he's going to sign this and we're going to give it away to one lucky fan so if you want to be in with a chance to win this sign shirt well not signed yet but Edison will sign it you can see it there on the bottom of your screen man city.com mdlc that's man city.com mdlc come get involved and you could win that shirt signed by Edison um now before we get into final thoughts it's 8 minutes till kickoff just want to do a quick word again not in the squad because he's literally just come back from his holidays and I think pep only said had a few training sessions but that man rodri who we know is the metronome of the team for me probably the best player in the world at the moment that's why I want to mention it because balandor coming up I really can't see past rodri for myself Steve I can't um you know sometimes you know know how these things go though um we've seen s you know winners and you're just think really um but I mean for what he's produced actually for a number of years has been exceptional but I think particularly last season uh for what he's won and to top it off with the EUR roses as well and being such a huge part of of them winning the Euros as well then I I for me I can only see one winner and I think deservedly so as well I mean also it's the stats as well remember he went like 55 games or was 54 unbeat and that was club and country that was also the season we went and did the treble so um yeah we we know here at Manchester City and I think if you're a football fan you know that rodri is the best player in the world at the moment so fingers crossed right Jens so is absolutely flown by um just before we get predictions quick final thoughts obviously coming up against zp Switch clear favorites but we're going to have to make sure we go out and do the job Sean yeah I mean Pep's going to want you know the first term game he's going to want to make sure that we we we play well we we we stick to what we do uh and I think he'll look at this as a great opportunity to put a market on to let everybody else in the Premier League know like City's here to go to win this five times in a row absolutely and and yeah for for rip switch I think we were saying 15minute segments and just they're going to have to work hard to try and stay in the game for as long as possible absolutely um I mean it is going to be a difficult task for them I think I seen an interview with Rob Edwards who's manager of Lieutenant when they come here and he said it was the toughest game we've ever had to do because he said not only is it the quality of man city but he said the the professionalism and the ruthlessness of them on that deer but having said that the ruthlessness of man city has been there for all to see that's why they've won four in a row and that's why they'll want to win five because you know there'll not be a case of looking at IP switch and thinking oh we feel sorry for him if it's three or four they'll be like well I won five and six Erland harand won three or four goals you know so people want to get it get in and get it monstered so I think this could to be a very difficult afternoon for I switch but without a doubt there going to be such a professional performance from from and there we have it as well um four in a row can they do it five we're going to have the Premier League trophy as well brought up by Lee Jackson he's a groundsman here at Manchester City he's been doing that for over 30 years and he's retiring today so we just want to say a massive thank you and all the love and thanks to the man who was dedicated 30 plus years to he was here at the etad stadium lead Jackson that man behind the Premier League trophy with that shot you can't see him there he is uh Lee Jackson congratulations and thank you for your service right Jens before we hand over to alist man and Nikki Weaver predictions please Shan I I'm debating between five or six I'm really six 6 nil 6 nil from Sean Steve five goals goals goals we love to see it um and just quickly as well just for to add to the positive vibrations and news Manchester United lost against Brighton 2 one xia Pedro scoring in the 95th minute so Brighton top of the league six points after two games City can do that we'll be joining them up there come join us at halim over to Alister man and Nikki Weaver thank you for watching come on [Music] [Applause] [Music] city thank you Kell all eyes are very much on one man and he's not even on the pitch he's in the Dugout at the side and of course I'm referring to ilai gundan a shock move back to the etad stadium complete just a matter of a few hours ago and the reality is that he is very much back where he belongs he's not in the stting 11 he is on the bench he did come out to warm up earlier and got a terrific reception now the two sets of players are in the tunnel the etad stadium packed to the Raptors and we're all set for normal service to be resumed here at home well the last time the blues were at the ETI hat Stadium they created history by be