Thursday, April 11, 2013

This is the REAL final

WINNER ... Gareth Barry with the FA Cup in 2011

GARETH BARRY admits Manchester City’s Wembley showdown with Chelsea will feel like the FA Cup FINAL.

The two heavyweights meet in the last four on Sunday and many view the clash between City and Rafa Benitez’s men as the Cup decider.
With Wigan and Millwall contesting the other semi-final on Saturday, Barry admits his team will have a great chance of winning a trophy for a third successive year if they beat the holders.
The City midfielder said: “It feels more like a final.
“This is the bigger game of the two and if we can get through it this could be another FA Cup for us.
“I am looking forward to it. You want to be playing big games at this stage of the season, as this is, when they hand out the trophies.”
City will head to Wembley in great heart after their excellent win against champions-elect Manchester United on Monday night.
But Barry admits victory was tinged with frustration that they had not pushed their rivals closer in the title race this year.
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He said: “To win at Old Trafford two years in a row sets a good standard for our club.
“The players were desperate to get three points and we would have been disappointed to get anything else, even a draw.
“To win for a second year running is a fantastic feeling.
“But there is some frustration that we haven’t played like that more often.
“Even before the game kicked off, our players were thinking that we wished there was a little bit more at stake and the gap was a little bit closer.”
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It gave City renewed hope they can wrestle the title back off United next season — but Barry believes they will need to take some lessons from their neighbours.
The former Villa man said: “There are things we can learn from them — the fact that they have consistently got results this year without playing well. We need to try to do that ourselves next year.”
City were given a big lift last week as Yaya Toure committed his long-term future to the club — although Barry is still waiting to hear if he will be given an extension.
Barry, 32, will go into his final year in the summer but feels the Ivorian’s contract is a sign the club is heading in the right direction.
He said: “When a player like him gets a new deal, it is a lift for everyone.
“You don’t want to see players like that leaving. You want others like him coming in.
“When you can keep players like him for another four years, I am sure there will be others coming in, of the same level, to join him.”
City midfielder David Silva is rated as very doubtful for Sunday due to a hamstring injury picked up in the 2-1 derby win.

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