Barcelona vs City - pre-match thread

[RandomJ]

Zaba and Kolarov vs Messi and Neymar. Easily see a red card there.

 

[BLUEMATT23]

MP line up this one

 

[welsh_andy]

I'm stuck in work but just seen lineup. And boy I'm confused and concerned or is this his masterplan to confuse fuck oit of them

 

[Utter bobbins]

Usual suspects out in force again

 

[The Blue one!]

Wow ! If we get hummer all the shit of the media will go out !!

 

[red 2 hats]

I trust Pep 100%, but squeaky bum time playing both Zab & Kolorov

 

[remember arthur mann]

Fuck sake no Aguero :( horrible line up

Pep's probably questioning Kun's work rate!

 

[fergal_oc]

Zaba and Kolarov vs Messi and Neymar. Easily see a red card there.

A red card, own goal and penalty even though the foul was outside the box! :)

 

[Bozo]

Didn't expect that! A very cautious line up...

 

[PepAboveAll]

Clearly Pep is focusing on control and ball retention with this linup. Don't think that will work against Barca. We need a proper striker.

 

[PaulMoulden'sRecord]

I think he's stuck with Zabba.....no other real options. Kolarov is a bit of a surprise.

 

[Silva2021]

Yes, we stand a good chance of getting beat but the line up is ok in my view!

Would have gone Clichy over Kolarov, but you knew on Sat it was not going to be the case.

There will certainly be a higher press with Aguero on the bench and ultimately a game change if needed.

Vinny I would not risk in a game that is not a must win.

Same concerns as everyone else in regards full backs, but 3 at the back would have been worse.

I fully expect Nolito and Sterling will be giving support to the full backs, as well as Fern and Gun in the holding role offering help when needed.

 

[Ric]

Unexpected line-up, but we have to trust the manager's judgement.

I naively asked earlier in the thread for no ludicrous over-reactions in the matchday and post-match threads.

I neglected to mention the pre-match thread, because I wasn't expecting meltdowns an hour before kick off.

 

[citytill1die84]

Pep's probably questioning Kun's work rate!

Possibly mate. Setup to defend and counter attack. I'll trust in Pep, if anybody knows how to stop or slow Barcelona down it's him.

 

[blueparrot]

Looks like a line up picked for high pressing, happy with that.

 

[mancityscot]

this has got disaster written all over it haha

 

[Pleatfooted]

To say I'm shocked is the under estimate of the year, very very annoyed aguero isn't starting and I love zab to death but would've had him no were near that starting line up, Neymar will murder him

 

[razman]

Leaving our best player for our biggest game of the season... Hmm.. Takes some balls

Let's hope it's the right call

 

[Mvfoe23]

would of stuck fernandinho at right back tonight to be honest. Zaba worries me

 

[paulchapo]

Odd lineup.i guess Sterling or Nolito will play centre forward.