Tonight is one of those crucial moments in a team's development.
We have young defenders at the club who can potentially play in the first team in 12 months, but how do we get from A to B, and stay intact until they are ready?
It's going to be a massive challenge staying in competitions until Laporte is back. I would gamble on the young players. At least by doing so it is an investment in the future.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have played very young players in 1st team games. We seem totally averse to doing so.
Cheers
Agree. I'd go with Garcia in this game from the start. I've no doubt he is up to this test but if it looks shaky I'd bring Cancelo on the right and shift Walker over to play 3 at the back. Pushing Zin and Cancelo forward as wing backs. It has to be worth a shot as if Garcia looks like the same player that played in the cup games last season then it is problem solved. I'd keep F'dinho as the last resort.
Teams here, just scrolled through twiiter to find out the same thing:Has Eric Garcia travelled does anyone know?
I was expecting Cancelo to start tonight, but wonder if the Stones injury will force Guardiola to rethink. Maybe making wholesale changes to the back line might be a bit risky in an away CL tie? Expect Fernandinho to get the nod over Garcia, so wouldn't be surprised if he goes for Walker, Fernandinho, Otamendi and Zinchenko. Personally, I'd like to see Cancelo, Garcia, Otamendi and Mendy.
I think it's unlikely Zinchenko doesn't start given he did the presser yesterday. Surely Pep can't leave him out on his return to Ukraine two years in a row...