This is what we call “throwing shade” today, and what we used to label “talking trash” or “talking smack” in the 1990s. Former Manchester City and current Celta Vigo striker John Guidetti said he hopes “to keep the city blue” when his club takes on Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League semifinals on Thursday night.
“They [United] are a very good team. Obviously they’ve got a good manager, a fantastic stadium, and they’re one of the favorites to win the Europa League,” Guidetti told UEFA’s official website.
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“But, as they say, ‘Manchester is blue’ and that’s how it will be when we visit there as well, because we are Celta Vigo and we will try to keep the city blue.”
These are interesting comments because it now creates a narrative where United are clashing with City for a spot in UEFA Champions League on two fronts. Following last Thursday’s goalless Manchester Derby draw, and then again after this past weekend’s action, United remain one point behind City for the final top four and hence Champions League qualification, position.
However, United have another way back in to Europe’s a-list competition. They are just two wins away from winning the Europa League tournament and thus clinching a berth.
The City-United rivalry is very heated right now. First you had the Marouane Fellaini versus Sergio Aguero confrontation, which got the big Belgian suspended for three matches.
Then you had the incendiary reaction to the incident on both sides, followed by Man City star Yaya Toure making remarks that will no doubt fire up the United base.
Now you add the inflammatory remarks made by the former City and current Celta Vigo man to the mix, and it’s all boiling over.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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