City v Shakhtar - Live Thread

[blueboy]

So, does Bravo or Ederson start? Vinny is out. Sterling was given a rest at the weekend, Jesus didn't even play. So plenty of rested players. If Mendy is out, Danilo or Delph will probably play there.

4-4-2? 3-5-2? 3-4-3? 3-1-4-2?

I think he may stick to a 4 at the back if Mendy isn't fit. If fit, he may go to a 3.

Ederson
Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Danilo
Fernandinho
Sterling, Bernardo Silva, KDB, Sane
Jesus

Think Sergio may get a rest on the bench for the weekend, but can come on if needed. Think David Silva may also get a rest on the bench.

[Strange Blue]

"Bravo or Ederson start?"
Is that even a serious question? I was hoping that Bravo would be consigned to meaningless cup games from here on out. Not sure if he will play Sane again as he ran himself ragged in the last game. Shakhtar have a powerful attack so I wouldn't be suppressed to see 3 at the back. There's a small part of me that hopes Delph is left back again.

[Strange Blue]

If he dosent go 3 at the back Im thinking:


               (4-3-3)


             Éderson



Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Danilo



De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva


 Bernardo, Agüero, Jesus

[blueboy]

"Bravo or Ederson start?"
Is that even a serious question? I was hoping that Bravo would be consigned to meaningless cup games from here on out. Not sure if he will play Sane again as he ran himself ragged in the last game. Shakhtar have a powerful attack so I wouldn't be suppressed to see 3 at the back. There's a small part of me that hopes Delph is left back again.

But Delph at LB means a 4. 

[blueboy]

If he dosent go 3 at the back Im thinking:


               (4-3-3)


             Éderson



Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Danilo



De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Silva


 Bernardo, Agüero, Jesus

Interesting. Sterling scores two, gets a rest and is dropped for tonight?

It's difficult, as we have so many options now...and a big game at the weekend.

[Strange Blue]

Obviously you would want Mendy at LB if he's fit, but considering the next game is Chelsea away is it worth the risk?

[Strange Blue]

I think Sterling will play a role even if it's from the bench. Did Pep take him off early to rest him for this game or was it tactical? I wish Jurnos would ask questions like this it's always the same old predictable guff hoping the manager will say something that can be spun into a controversial headline. Would love to get some sort of tactical insight for a change.

[Moonchester]

will be full strength tonight. too early in the group stages to be resting players up.
Mendy should not be risked, even if he passes fitness test, go with Danilo as LB in a 4.

attack wise, can't really say who is strongest line up at the sec. Might be tempted with Bernado in for Sterling for a bit more control on the ball for European style maybe?

Sane and Sterling off the bench would be good with 30 minutes to go again.

[blueboy]

Be interesting. Pep said it would be hard to drop Sane after he scored 2 against WBA and he didn't drop him against Palace. Likewise, Sterling scores 2 - it'd be hard to drop him as well.

As you say, it's early doors for the CL so a strong team...but what we've seen this season so far, is that we have a strong team with different options, whoever he plays.

Guess it'll come down to tactics...and Pep knows Shakthar pretty well.

[Guest]

Yes, best team for a big win, and we are well in control in this group.

[TMG]

Looks like Mendy is definitely out and could be for some time if the Beeb is to be believed 

[Strange Blue]

Saying that he will visit knee specialist in Barcelona. That's him out for a few months at least

[blueboy]

Yeah, off to see Ramon Cugat, the specialist who looked after Gundogan, and also Pep's favourite knee specialist. 

Still early days....maybe Pep wants an expert 2nd opinion, so wouldn't be too worried just yet.

[shakencity]

..........Ederson
Walker....Stones....Ota....Danilo
Sterling..Bernado...Ferdi...Sane
..........KDB
........................Jesus

Rest, Silva, Serge.....even KDB too by putting Delphi in the middle pushing Bernado up behind Jesus.

[blueboy]

Ederson
Walker, Stones, Otamendi, Danilo
Fernandinho
Sterling, Bernardo Silva, KDB, Sane
Jesus


So, you agree Den?

[shakencity]

I do Andy.....we should have enough without David n Serge at home. Big game at the weekend for those 2.

[blueboy]

Agree. We can always use them from the bench if needed.

[blueboy]

City kids beating Shakhtar 2-0...Phil Foden again. 

[blueboy]

Now 2-1.

[blueboy]

So, City v Wolves (for a change), won't be shown on TV. Yet, unlike the last round, where a PL played against a PL team...Swansea v United will be shown on Sky.

Talk about a load of biased fuck?

[shakencity]

Tbh Andy, I think if Wolves were at home, it might have been.
The Rags were obviously going to be on whoever they played, no surprises there whatsoever.

[blueboy]

But if you look at the fixtures:

BMouth v Boro
Arsenal v Norwich
Bristol v Palace
Leicester v Leeds
City v Wolves
Swansea v United (on Sky)

Chelsea v Everton
Spurs v WHU (on Sky)

Of all of those fixtures, the two that stand out are us v Wolves as Wolves are a big club doing well and spent a lot of money...and Leicester v Leeds.

Why 2 all-PL encounters???

[blueboy]

Team

Ederson
Walker, Stones, Ota, Delph
Fernandinho
Jesus, Silva, KDB, Sane, 
Aguero,

[Strange Blue]

So Delph is left back, this will be intresting

[blueboy]

"Bravo or Ederson start?"
Is that even a serious question? I was hoping that Bravo would be consigned to meaningless cup games from here on out. Not sure if he will play Sane again as he ran himself ragged in the last game. Shakhtar have a powerful attack so I wouldn't be suppressed to see 3 at the back. There's a small part of me that hopes Delph is left back again.

You got your wish SB. 

[blueboy]

I still have my reservations about Delph as a LB....but here's hoping he has a good game.

[Strange Blue]

Pretty much the strongest team possible with Bernardo, Sterling &
Gündogan all on the bench. Not to mention Danilo if Delph is overrun

[Strange Blue]

"Bravo or Ederson start?"
Is that even a serious question? I was hoping that Bravo would be consigned to meaningless cup games from here on out. Not sure if he will play Sane again as he ran himself ragged in the last game. Shakhtar have a powerful attack so I wouldn't be suppressed to see 3 at the back. There's a small part of me that hopes Delph is left back again.

You got your wish SB. 

The forum where dreams come true

[blueboy]

Gundogan on the bench.

[blueboy]

Bravo, Danilo, Sterling, Gunda, Manga, Bernardo, TLMLF

[blueboy]

"Bravo or Ederson start?"
Is that even a serious question? I was hoping that Bravo would be consigned to meaningless cup games from here on out. Not sure if he will play Sane again as he ran himself ragged in the last game. Shakhtar have a powerful attack so I wouldn't be suppressed to see 3 at the back. There's a small part of me that hopes Delph is left back again.

You got your wish SB. 

The forum where dreams come true

Only if you have big shoulders and not a titty lip. 

All banter. 

[Strange Blue]

Nice clearance from Stones, hes up for it

[Strange Blue]

both sides really going for it.

[Strange Blue]

Kun wrongly marked offside

[Strange Blue]

Brillant save by Ederson

[Strange Blue]

& another one, defence being tested & not found wanting IMHO

[Guest]

Had the chances, pep will work his wonders at halftime, still time for 5-0 

[Strange Blue]

Half time 0-0. Theyre no push overs if Bravo was in goal we would be down at least 1-0

[TMG]

Ha ha Will be happy with 2-0. Sane very unlucky Just skimmed the post. Not too many chances and they look a pretty decent side so all to do in the 2nd half

[blueboy]

Sorry, but Delph brings nothing down the left hand side. It's creating a massive imbalance which they are comfortably dealing with, as they can push across to the right, knowing we have no outlet on the left.

Get Danilo on.

Silva's doing nothing. 

Walker's been poor in possession. 

Stones has been OK, as has Fernandinho.

Jesus and Aguero, non-existent and no press high up the pitch.

I think they'll probably think they've had the better half.

Some serious arse kicking is needed at HT...as this is lazy, slow and without energy again.

Go 3 at the back and get Sterling and Danilo on for Delph and Silva.

[leopold]

Walker is having a bit of a mare, isn't he?

Stones solid again. Delphinho is putting in a good shift too, nothing fancy, just getting the job done.

We just need to break them down a bit. Too many times caught offside, some of them a bit dubious. Kev and Leroy should've scored too. Still, there's always the second half.

Oh, and how many foul throws has their number 2 made? I make it five. Don't they count in the CL?

[Strange Blue]

If Kevin had scored might be a different game.

[blueboy]

Pep needs to earn his corn here.

Delph has been solid in defence, but it's like watching Clichy or Kolorov at LB....absolutely nothing going forward. No pace.

Name me one time you saw an overlap from Delph? Even Sane came out to the right to try and create something.

We need Sterling on the right....push their full backs, back more,

[blueboy]

Jesus and Aguero have also been poor, putting pressure on their CB's....they need to be doing a lot more.

[Strange Blue]

& now Kevin has

[Guest]

Come on Raheem, that is why he will never be world class

[Guest]

Ooh, weak one

[TMG]

How the fuck ! Raheem Cock !

[Guest]

Ffs

[Guest]

1-1 all over this

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