Balancing Act

This is were the real balancing act begins with CL and top PL games within 5 days. We are lucky, both City and United, that the game is on Sunday giving a day longer recovery time and hence the recovery from either fatigue or minor injuries should be at a minimum.
As it is United have the edge both in being at home and having more experience in playing these matches. Its a learning curve for City but one we will have to learn fairly quickly if we are to progress in both competitions.
We proved on Saturday we have strength in depth in the squad so all we have to do is prove that we have the mental strength to cope with both competitions and dont freeze in the spotlight. Its all very well saying players on gazillions of pounds a minute shouldnt freeze but with sportsmen and women its not always the case.

I'd like us to put out our strongest team in the champs league as we really must win that match.

see what's left afterwards and then put the strongest team out again.

these two games we can't afford to save players.

I'd like to see both Balo and Dzeko starting tomorrow in a 4-4-2 formation, with Aguero starting against on his own up top against the Rags in a 4-4-1-1 formation at the weekend. This way, the strikers and to a certain extent some midfielders, are getting rotated and rested as needed.

Balo is still banned apparently

yep, banned he is. aggers and edin it is

I'd just have Dzeko in for starters. Give Aguero a 30 min run out in the 2nd half. We need Aguero on top form against the rags

I agree TMG - Dzeko to start - and what more motivation than seeing Mario take his chance and get MoM, with Saturday coming up. Would rather Aguero be there if we need a goal in the second half, and if not, don't bother - rest him until the derby.

Would like to see Yaya further up the pitch a la last season and Milner and Johnson both deserve a starting place IMO.

Aguero should be on for the whole match or at least until he's got a brace. He and Silva are the only ones who have played Spanish sides on a regular basis, know the players and can exploit their weakness. Swap him for dzeko if we get 3 ahead.

Fair point lee, but for me the PL is the priority - and if we beat the rags - 5 points clear with the next 2 games looks pretty good. Aguero hasn't played in 3 weeks - and to start him in such a match, only for him to break down would be a waste. However, we will see how important Mancini views this game by his selection, because if he is definately fit - he will start.

But Blueboy we have mario and Dzeko fit for the Derby and Aguero and dzeko fit for the CL.

Just a point though if Aguero still isnt fit who would be our CF sub? Silva playing CF?

Fair point - but would you rather risk Aguero if he is 80% fit and he breaks down and misses another 3 or even 5 weeks - or go with Edin and say "it's over to you kid" with Silva behind and maybe even a chance for a young kid to get his moment of glory?

To be fair - look at Barca and Spain. Silva played pretty much in a central 2 of him and Villa up front - last week, and he didn't do too bad!

We are not a team who pumps it up the park so far this season - it's all about ball to feet, so with Milner wide on the left and Johnson on the right, give the ball to the Merlin's feet up front - and he won't lose it, but be able to play the killer balls in behind them.

I hope Aguero IS fit and does start with Dzeko. What's the alternative? Bringing back Fatty?

What's the alternative? Bringing back Fatty



Yes definately and the Devil will be serving Iced tea when that happens. Wonder what Johnson would be like in the centre?

Elastic band legs? Nah - better suited running from wide at defenders. Jesus - we are desperate aren't we - talking about Silva and Johnson as our CF!! What happened to the old chestnut of "how many more players do you really need".............seems that with Tevez forgotten, we thought 3 were enough...Aguero injured, Balotelli suspended, it's down to the tall one! Just goes to show though how having 4 top strikers doesn't guarantee anything!

Don't panic Mr. Mannering - sure Bob's got it all figured out.

aguero was just about fit for villa but wasn't needed.

bobby said he'd be fit for tomorrow.

i'd play dzeko and aguero and try to get ahead say 2-0 or 3-0 (not trying to be arrogant but we are a better team) and then rest players.