Shakhtar Donetsk (h) pre-match thread

[ChicagoBlue]

it was to give Delph time at left back.

we'll play our strongest team for both games, won't necessarily be the same 11 though

I realize that is what happened, but felt like Danilo was the natural choice, which is why I wanted to make certain it wasn't an injury. Thank!

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

I realize that is what happened, but felt like Danilo was the natural choice, which is why I wanted to make certain it wasn't an injury. Thank!

Danilo would be but it provided us with the chance to try Walker at Cb and give Delph time at LB. Walker will need rests at some point so Delph will need to be ready, as I suspect we'll be without Mendy for spells this season, especially if he's going to make more silly challenges

 

[geoff clipp]

They will be no doubt. Like I said it's a gamble but at this stage of the campaign I'd be tempted to do it. Even if we rest a few we still have a side capable of beating most good teams at home.

Understand your logic, but looking at the bigger picture, I think midweek games start impacting the league games even more as the season wears on. It's early enough on the season that the players should be fresh enough to play both. If we're bold now and get the champions league points we need over the next couple of games, it will allow us to fully focus on the league in late November and December. Shakhtar away is three days before we play away at Old Trafford so I'd be more tempted to try and get this wrapped up now and rest players in the last two fixtures if we can.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Yeah, Stones doesn't do that does he?

The back four is as solid as it hasn't been for a few seasons but I still have the impression that we can concede at anytime, and from anywhere, and probably in a manner not seen at The Etihad before.

 

[dickie davies]

I'd start with a similar team that started vs Liverpool

...............Ederson

Walker....Stones....Otto.....Mendy

.......Danny.......Fern....

KDB.....................Silva

......Jesus........Aguero

There's lots on the bench if a change is required, or if we can get a couple of goals up and sub three for the last 25/20 mins in preparation for the weekend

 

[BerkshireBlue]

Delph?

Good shout, very good shout actually. Definitely worth a try than playing a right footer there

 

[bigf42]

It was at this stage last season that things started to go wrong, poor game against Celtic, followed by the first defeat at Spurs, I think the Celtic result dented the teams confidence badly, and had the knock on effect in the following game.

Strongest team possible vs Shaktar, and then play the fittest available vs Chelsea, then it's International break time.

 

[BerkshireBlue]

Pep will play his strongest team on Tuesday and then again on the weekend. He has been preparing them for this twofer for the past few weeks, which is why players have been getting rotated and rested for 30 mins.

I just want to confirm...Stones removal against Palace was tactical, right? Was a strange substitution given Silva and KDB have been busting balls for the whole season and could have done with a rest. Surely, Stones doesn't need a rest?! Just hope he doesn't have a niggle, or that if he did, it's sorted.

Anyway, I suspect Shaktar to play the way most teams play in Europe when they are away. They will be solid defensively and try to break with speed when we are exposed.

We absolutely CANNOT afford to lose at home, and especially not to Shaktar. If we do, we will have lost to the team topping the group, having beaten Napoli and then us away. That is a very, very strong position in this group, especially with two games against Feyenooed, who appear to be the group punching bag. That's 12 points for them virtually in the bag! And, given Napoli will probably spank Feyenoord, we will be on level terms with them, but having lost at home. We absolutely do NOT want this group to come down to one of us or Napoli!!

Again....We CANNOT lose at home to Shaktar!!!

Win our games at home and we are through! Feyenoord will get a point from somewhere, so 12 pts will do it. Winning this game puts us in prime position on 6 points, with (probably) Shaktar on 3 and Napoli on 3, with Shaktar ahead of them on head to head. Shaktar will play an 11 man defence, if necessary, away at Napoli to get a point and then that gives them the head to head victory against them. We have to do our damnedest not to get into a three way competition with those two and take care of our own business. With the next two games at home, with our Feyenoord (H) chaser down the road, we should have qualified before we ever play them, with that game being for the Top Spot in the group.

It is in our hands, and this is what Pep was brought here for. He will absolutely play his best team to win, because this game is, IMHO, FAR more important that Chelsea on the weekend!! Yes...FAR MORE IMPORTANT!!

Great post. Strongest side is needed for this game. Get 3 wins as quickly as possible then we can start rotating

 

[PannickAtTheDisco]

Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Stones, Danilo, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Dave, Bernardo, Sane, Jesus

 

[richards30]

Ederson, Walker, Kompany, Stones, Danilo, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Dave, Bernardo, Sane, Jesus

like that team a lot mate