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Few games in England will augur much hullabaloo around them today afternoon as much as this will. Chelsea take on Manchester City at the new Wembley Stadium for a place in the FA Cup final. Here are five key battles that could influence proceedings in London:
1.) Juan Mata vs Yaya Toure
There would not be a Chelsea vs Manchester City game in the recent present without these two – literally in one case, metaphorically the other – juggernauts of the Premier League. Polar opposites, Yaya Toure is as feared going forward as he is challenging for the ball in the middle of the park. City’s game flows through him and he is a deadly opponent on the ball.
Off it, he will most likely face diminutive Spaniard Mata. The number 10 is one of Chelsea’s most influential players, having found the back of the net fourteen times and assisted sixteen others. Five of those set-ups have been in the FA Cup.
The archetypal little and large combination, they will surely stamp their influence on today afternoon’s game.
2.) Fernando Torres vs Vincent Kompany
Spain striker Torres has been the butt of many a joke for the last season or two, but despite the criticism having fallen his way this season, he has found the back of the net twenty four times in all competitions for both club and country. He is therefore a striker you can only afford to ignore at your own peril.
Having recently come into a rich vein of form, he has shown the qualities of a striker high on confidence. Hoping to stem his recent goal glut will be Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany. Only recently restored to his team’s starting XI having missed games through injury, the physically imposing Belgium international will have his hands full in trying to trap a deadly El Nino who has returned to the form that once made him the talk of Anfield.
3.) Carlos Tevez vs John Terry
The man who is hailed around Stamford Bridge as the club’s ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ may not be first choice any more, but he is as solid a centre-back as they come. In the absence of Gary Cahill, it seems likely that he will partner either David Luiz or Branislav Ivanovic in the centre of defence.
Having marshalled his defenders in hostile conditions in Kazan, Terry will need to use his leadership and defensive skills to see out another crunch game to ensure Chelsea are still en route to glory this season.
But the former England international will have to deal with another striker that defenders fear facing. Carlos Tevez has scored sixteen goals this season. Five of them have been in the FA Cup and he will be hoping to extend his purple patch in this tournament. Three of those goals put paid to doughty Barnsley in the previous round, and with bigger fish to fry now, the Argentine will be out to prove that those goals were no flash in the pan.
4.) Samir Nasri vs Cesar Azpilicueta
While Tevez will most likely try to cause damage down one flank, it will be Samir Nasri patrolling the other as he attempts to prise open the Chelsea rearguard. Given that David Silva and Sergio Aguero are both still recovering from injury, it will be up to the Frenchman to earn himself a run of games in this team.
Ridiculed by football fans for his time spent on the Citizens’ bench since joining them from Arsenal, the France international will now take centre stage as he showcases his flair on and off the ball, his ability to make intelligent runs, his shooting capabilities and his skill as he bisects defences with precise passes.
The responsibility of stopping Nasri from doing that will fall to Cesar Azpilicueta. Although not first-choice when he moved from Marseille to Stamford Bridge last summer, the hardworking Spaniard has featured 33 times in all competitions for his new club and even pulled on Spain colours recently. He will be out to show that the faith invested in him has excellent returns.
5.) Gareth Barry vs Ramires
While the spotlight at Manchester City shines squarely on the likes of David Silva, Kun Aguero and Yaya Toure, those who lie in the shadows are often more dangerous. Gareth Barry is one such individual. A typically English midfield player, the former Aston Villa man is the workhorse of his side, often clocking in more than a hundred minutes during a game. Full of running and endeavour, the number 18 has also displayed a propensity of scoring vital goals, such as that which broke down a resolute Reading defence earlier this season to then cut the gap between them and league leaders Manchester United to just three points.
But his role in both offence and defence will mirror that of a player in the Chelsea ranks. Ramires will be pulling the strings in Chelsea’s midfield, and his style of play that characterises hard work and graft over the flair typically associated with Brazilian players has led to him being called the ‘un-Brazilian Brazilian’ by some quarters of fans and pundits alike. Blessed with excellent dribbling skills, great stamina and far-sighted vision, the number seven is one of the players to watch out for this evening.
