Weiss: City will always stay in my heart | OneFootball

Slovan Bratislava captain and former City winger Vladimir Weiss says he will always hold his first professional club dear.

Weiss moved to Manchester as a teenager and progressed through the later stages of our Academy, scoring in the 2008 FA Youth Cup final as we beat Chelsea to lift the trophy.

He then played five times for the senior side before joining Bolton Wanderers, Rangers and Espanyol on loan before eventually moving to Pescara on a permanent deal in 2012.

Weiss will now face City for the first time since leaving in Tuesday’s Champions League clash in the Slovakian capital.

Slovan Bratislava v City | Match preview

Speaking in Monday’s pre-match press conference, the 34-year-old reflected glowingly about City of the past and present.

“I have the best memories of my time at City,” he began.

“It was an amazing achievement to break through to the first team at a young age with the players that were already in the squad.

“With time, there were better and better players and with Mancini coming in, my chances were getting smaller.

“I am always going to watch City, not just because they’re my first club but because they play the best football in the world for me.

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“To watch City for me is a pleasure. I’m following the club and it’s a club that’s always going to stay in my heart.”

Moving to Manchester as a 16-year-old, Weiss worked hard to become a professional.

While it wasn’t all plain sailing for him at City, he stated on Monday just how grateful he was to the club and the city for helping to make him the person he is today.

“It was in Didsbury, a place called Winchester Park with a woman called Barbara and her husband Les with their kids and two dogs,” he said when asked about his lodgings in Manchester.

“I have the best memories. I left here at a young age and the beginning was extremely difficult.

“I fought through it with the help of my parents and everyone at Manchester City of which I’m very grateful because I wanted to go back, I was really homesick.

“For any player, leaving your family at a young age is difficult but it made me who I am today.”

Slovan Bratislava v City app coverage

Our official app allows you to follow all of the action from Bratislava in one place.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, while our Matchday Live show will begin at approximately 18:45 (UK).

We will have guests on the latest Matchday Live show, offering their expert insight before, during and after the action.

They will also answer viewer questions throughout the broadcast, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a WhatsApp to: +447537186538.

During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alistair Mann while our text commentary continues.

Make sure to have push notifications turned on as well, so you can be alerted to key moments in the action, including goals, red cards and the team news.

Highlights from the match will be available as will a full-match replay on CITY+.

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