Pablo Zabaleta admits he must be perfect against his fellow countryman Angel di Maria in the Manchester Derby that is to be played on Sunday.
Zabaleta will go head-to-head with the United winger at the Etihad on Sunday and knows from experience he is in for a testing afternoon.
His team lost the last time these two players faced each other two years ago. Di Maria was still with Real Madrid as they convincingly defeated a strong City team.
Asked if the only way for the champions to stop his Argentina team-mate was to kick him, Zabaleta laughed and replied: “Yes, it’s a tough one.
“He’s a really good player. He’s fast, quick, has a great technique, he’s one of those players defenders find really difficult to play against.
“You need the perfect day to stop players like him. He plays on the left, so will I try to play as good as I can.
“We’ve known each other for many years. I was so happy when he signed for United because it was something good for him. He was really excited to come here and play in the Premier League.”
Zabaleta has helped Di Maria settle among the growing ex-pat Argentinian community in Manchester following his British record move to the Old Trafford giants – the pair live a few minutes apart in leafy north Cheshire.
However, he has not introduced him to his favourite British dish: Fish and chips.
“Not yet because he’s that thin!” joked Zabaleta. “But probably he will try it.
“Angel texted me when he was looking to move to Manchester to ask about the city and to ask some things of someone who has been living there for a long time. And I was happy to help him with some information.
“We’ve already been together a few times. He lives in Prestbury, I live in Alderley Edge, just five minutes away. We’re Argentinians, we like to meet each other, to do barbecues. I’m even thinking now to open an Argentinian restaurant!”
Di Maria had starred for Argentina in the World Cup last summer and Zabaleta feels the outcome of the final against Germany may well have been different if he had not been sidelined through injury.
“Probably,” he said. “It would have been great for us, especially for the last game, when we played Germany, and the way they defended very solidly at the back, very tight, and narrow, we needed quick players to play in counter-attack.
“Angel is one of those players who never stops running, never stops going forward, attacking the space. He’s just unbelievable.
“It was so tight the final. Germany were a great team, but they also conceded some space at the back and probably with a player like Angel we would have something different.”
Zabaleta claims the derby is “50-50” because of City’s current struggles and feels it is the perfect catalyst to relaunch their season.
“I think, on Sunday, it is about more than just three points and winning that game,” he said. “If we win it means we can get the confidence back – and that’s something we need at the moment. We cannot drop points because of the race with Chelsea.
“We must be more consistent as a team. Individual performances have not been great this season and when you don’t play well as a team, it’s difficult collectively. We must put that right on Sunday.”
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