With England confined since Monday, worried about the advance of a rampant virus that is once again interrupting people's lives, soccer seems the best pain reliever against drama. They no longer open pubs or reach the screams of fans to the street, a more inhospitable place than ever. Although in the absence of good enthusiasm it is a derby of Manchester. And not just any one. He United receive the City this Wednesday (8:45 p.m.) with the aroma of a special night, with a place for the final of the League Cup in Game.
The appointment is eagerly awaited despite the fact that the memory of the last one was a disappointment. Nobody liked the 0-0 that was recently registered in Old trafford, an afternoon more calculating than passionate, nothing to do with the concept of a derby. To the United hard work awaits you to end the monopoly of the City, infallible in the League Cup: he has won four of the last five editions.
Although it gives the feeling that Solskjaer has taken his measure, Guardiola used to get away with Old trafford. But on this occasion, he visits enemy territory conditioned by the absences that the outbreak generated and that force the Santpedor to bet on footballers like Steffen: “Everything closes except our business. Perhaps it is true that we are special, “said the Catalan, somewhat ironic. At least in his favor he has to make up to five changes, the main novelty in the face of a semifinal that includes extra time in the event of a tie.
He United arrives less impaired to the derby, without Jones and without Cavani because of the absurd sanction imposed by the English Federation for a comment that was not racist at all. The biased interpretation of that phrase written on their social networks separates the Uruguayan from facing the City: “The punishment is not fair but we face this commitment with confidence and without excuses. The team is going to try ”, he commented yesterday Solskjaer in the previous one.
One night in which it is decided which neighbor of Manchester going to Wembley at the end of April with a ticket under his arm. To the City He is comforted by the triumph in Stamford Bridge in front of Chelsea, a good example of how you have to play against United if you want to keep alive the illusion of being crowned again in the League Cup. Although there is no better team than Solskjaer to deny him glory.