Attack is the way for City
LONDON: Midfielder Yaya Toure sees no reason for Manchester City to change the attacking style of play that has been rewarded by an 11-game unbeaten run as the side reaches a crunch part of the season both domestically and in Europe.
“When you’re a winner and when you want to achieve important things you have to work hard,” he said. “Sometimes it’s difficult but you have to be positive because we know people are waiting for us to fail.”
City hold a 5-3 advantage over Monaco ahead of the away leg in their Champions League last 16 clash today and have risen to third in the Premier League after winning four of their last five matches.
“We are playing very well at the moment and we have a team that plays mostly attractive games and sometimes the pundits are waiting to analyse,” Toure (pictured) added of the Monaco clash.
“We are going to attack, we never do it the other way, we will attack and they will expect that as well. The best defence is try to score.”
After the European tie, City host fourth-placed Liverpool in a vital Premier League encounter on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Monaco owe most of their recent success to their young guns, but when they face Manchester City looking to overturn a two-goal deficit they will turn to a more experienced player in Radamel Falcao.
The Colombia striker, who endured two dismal injuryplagued seasons in the Premier League, has been near his best since he returned this season from a season-long loan at Chelsea.
“This season, I’ve been playing consistently. The club has full confidence in me, the staff and my team mates make me feel important,” said Falcao, who scored two but missed a potentially decisive penalty in Monaco’s 5-3 defeat in the first leg.
“With confidence, the rest comes naturally. I don’t think players forget how to play football. I just needed playing time and continuity. You don’t forget how to score goals,” Falcao added.
Monaco, who geared up for the game with a 2-1 victory over Girondins de Bordeaux on Saturday, will need to show more focus if they are to go through.
“We’re at a crucial stage in the season. In the Champions League, one mistake in a game can be fatal,” said Falcao, who has scored16 goals in Ligue 1 this season and six in the Champions League.
“We need to raise our level of concentration to make up for our lack of experience in this competition.”
Falcao, who has recovered from a hip injury, is expected to start in a 4-4-2 formation alongside prodigy Kylian Mbappe with Bernardo Silva, another young gem in the squad, expected to provide them with scoring opportunities.
Monaco’s only concern is the absence of centre back Kamil Glick, who will be replaced by Jemerson. – Reuters