Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Blackburn Rovers
Cardiff City welcome Blackburn Rovers to Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday evening (04/10), 8pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
The current Blackburn Rovers manager is former Denmark international Jon Dahl Tomasson, who arrived at Ewood Park in June this year, signing a three-year deal.
In his playing career, Tomasson represented some big clubs in Europe, including Newcastle United, Feyenoord, AC Milan and Villarreal.
The striker also had an illustrious career at international level, netting an impressive tally of 52 goals in 112 appearances for the Danish National Team, with his first international goal coming against Wales.
Since retiring from professional football, Tomasson has managed in the Netherlands with Excelsior and Roda JC, before a successful spell with Malmö FF, winning the Allsvenskan on two occasions.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | ONE TO WATCH
In recent seasons, Rovers’ most dangerous player has been striker Ben Brereton Díaz, who joined the club from Nottingham Forest in 2019.
Since then, the attacker has netted 35 league goals In 111 appearances, whilst also earning 17 caps for the Chilean National Team.
The best season in Brereton Díaz’s career so far came last year, netting 22 goals in 37 Championship appearances. So far this campaign, the striker has four goals to his tally.
DAYS GONE BY | CARDIFF CITY VS. BLACKBURN ROVERS
2022 marks a century of fixtures between the Bluebirds and Rovers.
Read all about our first and most recent victories, including a record breaking performance in our opening clash, here.
CLUB CONNECTIONS | FIVE FAMILIAR FACES
There have been a number of players to have represented both Rovers and the Bluebirds, including Nathan Blake. The Cardiff-born attacker had four prolific years as a Bluebird, as well as three seasons at Ewood Park. Going on to make 30 caps for Wales, Blake wasn’t the only one in his talented sporting family to represent Wales, as his cousins Matthew Robinson and Anthony Sullivan played rugby union for Wales, while his uncle Clive Sullivan was a rugby league international.
After starting out at Grimsby Town, Gary Croft made the switch to Blackburn Rovers in 1996, going on to make 52 league appearances for the club. His time in the Welsh capital between 2002 and 2005 was successful, as he was part of the side won the Division Two play-offs during his first season at City.
Goalkeeper Peter Enckelman first moved to Ewood Park on loan from Aston Villa, before making the move permanent in 2004, providing cover for first-team shot-stopper Brad Friedel. Becoming a Bluebird four years later, the Finland international represented City in the 2008 FA Cup final.
Legendary Liverpool forward Robbie Fowler joined City from Premier League giants Liverpool and went on to net four league goals for the club during his solitary season in the Welsh capital, before moving on to Blackburn Rovers.
Another goalscorer to have represented both clubs is Jay Bothroyd, who had a loan spell at Ewood Park from Italian side Perugia. The attacker’s most prolific spell in the English pyramid came during his time as a Bluebird, netting 41 league goals and forming a memorable partnership with Michael Chopra.
