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| Man City defender Pablo Zabaleta insists the Manchester derby is the 'biggest game in England' |
SOME Manchester City players had pussy-footed around the subject, Kevin de Bruyne offering polite platitudes, but Pablo Zabaleta has been there before and done it.
All it took was a single sentence for him to arrive straight to the point and neatly encapsulate just what is at stake when City collide with neighbours United on Sunday.
"This is the biggest game for sure in England," said the defender. "We know how important it is for the fans, for the club and also because we play against a team that is joint-second in the league, two points behind.
"Both teams play for something important, not just pride, something really big. They have a chance to beat us and go top of the league and we have a chance to extend the gap. Hopefully we can do it."
Not for Zabaleta the cliched soundbites about how City's visit to Old Trafford is just another three points. The Argentina international knows a marker can be thrown down, seeds of doubt planted in the minds of Louis van Gaal's side, and bragging rights earned in the process.
Motivation comes not just from the present, but also the past. The last time City crossed the city boundaries, they left humbled and embarrassed after a 4-2 defeat which exposed just how far they had fallen in surrendering their title to Chelsea.
The memory of such a chastening loss still grates, though Zabaleta argues the manner of a slipshod performance jolted Manuel Pellegrini's squad out of their stupor and into the form that has seen them continue to blaze a trail.
"Yes, it hurt," said Zabaleta. "It was a very hard defeat, because in the way we played the game it wasn't good. You expect to play much better than that with the players we have in the team.
"We have set our standards high and we know how well we can play. After that we won 11 games in a row so we knew after that we needed to change in the way we were playing.
"Last season was not really good for us and that derby is the game you expect to play really well because against teams like United you can't be at 60 per cent, 50 per cent of your best form. So we need to play at 100 per cent, be very intense and try to win the game.
"It's like Argentina-Brazil. When you play against a team that you know is a rival and everyone wants you to beat - we know how important that game is in the whole city.
"From now on we will see City shirts, United shirts and everyone will be talking about that game.
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| Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini could recall Vincent Kompany for the Manchester derby |
"We don't think about revenge. We have had the chance to win more games at Old Trafford. I remember playing pretty well there and winning 6-1, 3-0.
"Sometimes you don't expect to lose like we did last season there. It was really hurtful for everyone, but hopefully we will try to make sure it does not happen again - and we can win.
"You have to play those games with 100 per cent attitude and passion because it means a lot for the fans. That's what we will try to do."
Logic demands Pellegrini restores captain Vincent Kompany to his starting line-up, especially given the continued absence of Sergio Aguero and David Silva which will push extra responsibility onto the likes of Raheem Sterling and De Bruyne, who will be playing in the fixture for the first time.
It was not just De Bruyne's Champions League winning strike against Sevilla this week which fired the imagination, but his performances in general. There have been nine appearances, five goals and four assists. His impact can be measured every 76 minutes.
Maintaining that instant impression is the challenge - Angel Di Maria failed to do so at United - but Zabaleta has few doubts and goes as far as comparing him to Eden Hazard.
"Both play for Belgium and are very similar," he added. "They are very skilful players, can finish and kill games, they are matchwinners. Both of them are really good players.
"The good point about Kevin is that he's a very humble man and that is really important.
"Sometimes it depends on the character and personality of the player. Some players do well in some leagues and others do well in another, that happens. Kevin has been in England before and he has experience of this league so that helps.
"I'm very impressed with Kevin. He's settled very well in the team and playing really well. He's been a key player for us since he came and it's fantastic."
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