Manchester City’s title defence in 2014/15 will be made a lot easier if they can replicate their bullying home form on the road and Newcastle United away on Sunday is their chance to set the tone.
City’s trip to Newcastle is a reversal of last season’s opener, in which they triumphed 4-0 at the Etihad and they’ll be hoping for a similarly emphatic result to spur them on for a second successive title and overcome the Community Shield disappointment.
With Manuel Pellegrini adding to his already enviable squad depth with the signings of Fernando and defender Eliaquim Mangala earlier this week, City will be looking to quash the belief early on that they are vulnerable away from home.
The concern for Pellegrini ahead of Newcastle will be the match sharpness of the World Cup latecomers to pre-season, which affected his preparations for the new campaign.
However skipper Vincent Kompany, who signed a new five-year deal this week, believes that the squad’s mentality is right and focused on getting the victory on Tyneside.
“I can tell we are mentally prepared for the new season,” the Belgian told the club website, before doing a complete about turn.
“Physically there are question marks. We [the World Cup players] haven’t had a minute in a friendly. We are just training.”
Kompany, 28, is fully aware that Newcastle will be a challenge, but if the reigning champions can overcome physical unpreparedness then it will send out a bold message to title rivals that City mean business.
“Really our fitness will be tested at Newcastle. If we get through it, what a great message it will send to the rest of the league of our resilience to build on what we achieved last year.”
It was a disappointing display at Wembley last Sunday, as FA Cup holders Arsenal blitzed City 3-0.
However, City didn’t have Frank Lampard and Sergio Aguero at their disposal for the Shield match, with both back in training this week. They both could feature against the Magpies.
It is unclear whether or not Pellegrini will restore Joe Hart in goal, as new signing Argentinian stopper Willy Caballero made his competitive debut for the club against Arsenal.
Other than the many selection quandaries for the Chilean, a pleasant dilemma coming from having great squad depth, Pellegrini has the luxury of a near injury-free squad.
The only definite absentee for City will be Alvaro Negredo, who is still recovering from a metatarsal fracture.
Main image courtesy of Paul Currie/Action Images via YouTube, with thanks.
