Pep Hopes For Welsh Reset

It wasn't the greatest of European nights for the Blues. A 2-1 defeat at home to Lyon was not what was expected, although with the performance on the night, it was all we deserved. Saturday sees the Blues back to domestic competition, and the continuation of the defense of their title.

Pep Guardiola will be back on the sidelines with Sergio Aguero likely being recalled to the starting lineup. Unfortunately Kevin De Bruyne, Benjamin Mendy and Claudio Bravo remain side lined for this game.

Manchester City have faced Cardiff on 50 occasions in all competitions over the years, starting with the first meeting just under 100 years ago. November 5th, Guy Fawkes night in England, the Blues traveled to Wales and defeated Cardiff by a 2-0 score line. Horace Barnes and Tommy Browell the scorers on that day.

Since then Manchester City have had the better of the fixture, losing only 18% of the games. 40% were drawn with the other 42% being City victories. The last game happened earlier this calender year, in the FA Cup.

Once again, City traveled to Wales and defeated the Bluebirds by a 2-0 scoreline. Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling strikes saw the Mancunians through to the fifth round. The defeats, although rear, have not been to distant memories though. Three meetings ago, almost five years and a month to the day, City lost 3-2.

All the goals came in the second half, with Edin Dzeko actually giving the visitors the lead in the 52nd meeting before Cardiff put in three goals without reply. Alvaro Negredo made it nervy with his strike but the home side held on.

Manchester City and Cardiff City have almost as many players they have shared over the years as they have had fixtures. Willo Flood, Mark Kennedy, Spencer Prior and Craig Bellamy to name just a few. Eric Steele, the ex Manchester City goalkeeping coach played for the Bluebirds. Meanwhile Andy Dibble, who kept goal for City, is now Cardiff's Goalkeeping coach.

Robbie Fowler, Jeff Whitley, Stuart Taylor and Martin Margetson also played for both. Michael Oakes, son of Manchester City legend Alan, played for Cardiff. Management wise you really only have the one.

Phil Neal, who took temporary charge in 1996, was also in the Cardiff hot seat. It was a traumatic time for the Blues, with a revolving managerial door seeing five managers in the main job over the course of the 1996/97 season.