Borussia Dortmund (A) - CL QF | Pre-Match Thread

Result Prediction

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BillyShears said:
Think Stones doing 90 on Saturday means if Laporte is totally fit he will probably get the nod. Equally if he isn't then it'll be Stones/Dias.

Raz/Jesus is pretty much a coin toss for me.

I'm definitely interested in seeing Zinchenko at left back tonight. His performance against Chelsea earlier this season is probably the benchmark for me in terms of when he's at his best what he can provide even in big games. Tonight certainly is one of those.

Overall I think the good thing is that all these permutations are teams/formations we've used loads this season.
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I'd say you've identified the problem area - ie Dias and Cancelo trying and failing to bring out of defence on that left hand side, but I've a feeling Pep will work with the same team. I did wonder if Laporte might get the nod for that exact reason, but I doubt it. I don't think Raz or Gabby will start ether.
 
Tricky_Trev said:
How has he not rolled this into the middle of the box?? It’s the kind of decision making our front line falls foul of at times.

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This was very very poor decision making. Could've easily squared it to the middle guy.
 
right, really interestingly poised. I can only imagine Dortmund's tactic is to play like they know how - attack and attack from the off. They'll be thinking that any early goal for them will completely shit us up and force us to attack. It's whether they go through with that, i think they will?

therefore do we sit and absorb for 20 mins and wait for the appropriate counters to naturally develop or do we counter that by attacking from the off? an early goal for us would ruin them.

tactically, this is a really tough match, but i think favouring shape and discipline over attacking flair would be my option. Bernardo, Walker and zinchenko to play.
 
Despite being in the comfort of home, I can't work. Whenever I start my head starts going into what if mode regarding tonight and Saturday. And then you read things like these bratwurst eating twats doing a Scouse trick. Little things putting that extra element of doubt in the mix. I wish it was a 5pm kick off. The best part of 10 more bleeding hours of this.
 
Didsbury Dave said:
I'd say you've identified the problem area - ie Dias and Cancelo trying and failing to bring out of defence on that left hand side, but I've a feeling Pep will work with the same team. I did wonder if Laporte might get the nod for that exact reason, but I doubt it. I don't think Raz or Gabby will start ether.
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I haven't looked but I'm pretty sure that even though Laporte has had lots of game time recently when it comes to the biggest games he picks Stones.

I also think he loves Jesus in away CL games. Jesus biggest issue is when we're at home against packed defences. I think he'll fancy him with a bit of space and pressing high.

I think he'll go:

Ederson
Cancelo
Dias
Stones
Zinchenko
Rodri
Gundo
De Bruyne
Mahrez
Foden
Jesus

A real shocker could be Raz in for Mahrez.
 
BillyShears said:
Nerves are definitely jangling this morning. Still looking forward to it.

Selection wise, I've got a sneaky that Bernardo and Cancelo may miss out - which would make the team: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Zin, Rodri, Gundo, KDB, Mahrez, Foden, Sterling (or Jesus).

An early City goal would certainly calm some nerves!
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Don't think you can play Laporte. He seems to fall apart in these big CL games. Errors in all of the recent exits.

Stones and Dias are a must IMO.
 
himalayan_blues said:
Aguero and silva are our legends but in fact it is because of them we haven't won Cl till this date. Being our most important players for years they have to take the blame. Silva so many times used to frustrate me by passing the ball even when he had a better opportunity shooting. Yes they get credit for winning the league.
I completely agree that our CL nighmares is because we were not clinical enough to finish that one big chance that really mattered.
sadly the problem still persist in our team. May be de bruyne should step up scorong goals not just making them.
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the lack of goals (strikers) in this team is a killer in europe. KDB should not be use to score the goals but make them
at the end of the day its your strikers that win big games and silverware

sterling and Jesus miss so many chances its scary what a couple of world class strikers would add to this squad
 
IIRC Pep said he wasn't happy with the pressing first leg so I wonder if he will bring out the 4-2-4 we have played occasionally this season with Kevin and Jesus as the 'strikers'.

In a one off game I would be happy with it but the fact we are already ahead makes you doubt if it's worth going so attacking!

I know one thing, there is going to be a meltdown of some level on here upon team announcement!
 
Tricky_Trev said:
You’re going to leave us on a cliff hanger like that!?? Go back to sleep and play the 2nd half!
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Imagine how I felt!!

I forgot to add that before the goal I'd had a massive barny with Zinchenko for playing a hopeless cross field diagonal pass when I was in so much free space in front of him
 
ancoats said:
the lack of goals (strikers) in this team is a killer in europe. KDB should not be use to score the goals but make them
at the end of the day its your strikers that win big games and silverware

sterling and Jesus miss so many chances its scary what a couple of world class strikers would add to this squad
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We’ve hardly played with a striker all season and look at how well we’re doing.
 
jay_mcfc said:
I haven't looked but I'm pretty sure that even though Laporte has had lots of game time recently when it comes to the biggest games he picks Stones.

I also think he loves Jesus in away CL games. Jesus biggest issue is when we're at home against packed defences. I think he'll fancy him with a bit of space and pressing high.

I think he'll go:

Ederson
Cancelo
Dias
Stones
Zinchenko
Rodri
Gundo
De Bruyne
Mahrez
Foden
Jesus

A real shocker could be Raz in for Mahrez.
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I agree with all of your points except one: I don't think he will leave Walker out for this game because of his recovery pace and ability to break up fast breaks. I think it leaves him with a left back conundrum: Cancelo on his wrong side and not playing well v Zinchenko. I think Cancelo just shades it for him.
 
jay_mcfc said:
I haven't looked but I'm pretty sure that even though Laporte has had lots of game time recently when it comes to the biggest games he picks Stones.

I also think he loves Jesus in away CL games. Jesus biggest issue is when we're at home against packed defences. I think he'll fancy him with a bit of space and pressing high.

I think he'll go:

Ederson
Cancelo
Dias
Stones
Zinchenko
Rodri
Gundo
De Bruyne
Mahrez
Foden
Jesus

A real shocker could be Raz in for Mahrez.
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Torres over Raz - he has more goals in him.
 
Didsbury Dave said:
I agree with all of your points except one: I don't think he will leave Walker out for this game because of his recovery pace and ability to break up fast breaks. I think it leaves him with a left back conundrum: Cancelo on his wrong side and not playing well v Zinchenko. I think Cancelo just shades it for him.
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Possibly. For me Zinny has to play, we're pissing Cancelo about too much and it's affecting him. Playing Zin also allows us to play Stones as we would have at least one left footer in the backline. But if Zin plays and Walker plays that's a bit defensive for me so I'd prefer Cancelo back in his preferred position.
 
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