Al Ain (N) - Mon 23rd June, 02:00 | CWC | Pre-Match Thread

[kun]

Ortega out sick or something?

Just Pep said that everyone would get a game. This would be the only chance to give Bettinelli a game. Ortega to play vs Juve.

I don’t know if he meant all of the goalkeepers as well or not.

 

[No 1 City Fan]

I arrive in Hotlanta on Saturday....what pub before the game?? Come on City!!

 

[Bluekiwi]

If you stay up until 2am in the morning to watch the match, you are diehard blues.

Common scenario for those of us in the southern hemisphere countries.

 

[Bluekiwi]

Ederson

Nunes
Dias
Gvardiol
Ait Nouri

Rejinders
Bernardo
Foden

Cherki
Marmoush
Haaland

That would be my pick for the game against Juventus

 

[ChicagoBlue]

That would be my pick for the game against Juventus

We are playing 4-4-2/4-2-4 these days.

Ortega

Akanji
Dias
Gvardiol
Alt Nouri

Foden
Rodri
Reijnders
Doku

Marmoush
Haaland

 

[Gabriel]

No need whatsover to start Gvardiol, Silva, Gundogan, or Haaland in this game. They need as much rest as possible, so save them for a game where the result is not a foregone conclusion.

 

[cibaman]

No need whatsover to start Gvardiol, Silva, Gundogan, or Haaland in this game. They need as much rest as possible, so save them for a game where the result is not a foregone conclusion.

Haaland looks like one of those players who needs to have regular game time to stay sharp. Obviously he doesn’t have to play 90 mins

 

[Gabriel]

Haaland looks like one of those players who needs to have regular game time to stay sharp. Obviously he doesn’t have to play 90 mins

Haaland has played 3,816 minutes for us this season and another 891 for Norway. With Marmoush already going off to ACON during the hardest months, Haaland will have to carry all of the load- heaven help us if he’s injured. It makes no sense to be playing in these games, unless it’s to satisfy the organisers and sponsors.

 

[JGL07]

Haaland has played 3,816 minutes for us this season and another 891 for Norway. With Marmoush already going off to ACON during the hardest months, Haaland will have to carry all of the load- heaven help us if he’s injured. It makes no sense to be playing in these games, unless it’s to satisfy the organisers and sponsors.

To win a trophy and collect loads of prize money?

Just a guessi!

 

[Gabriel]

To win a trophy and collect loads of prize money?

Just a guessi!

Against the better teams in the latter stages, by all means. As explained in #67.

 

[oldius]

I am really looking forward to this.
I would like to see Reis continuing his journey.
I would like Khusanov to get some minutes.
I would like a midfield of Gonzalez, Reijnders and Foden.
I'd like Cherki to be No10 behind Erling.
I'd like Echeverri to play the last half-hour for Cherki.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Any way to watch this on catch up about 7am instead of me having to set my alarm for the middle of the night?

It’s on 5 I’ve set record

 

[oldius]

It’s on 5 I’ve set record

In that case, it will be streamable on the My5 website the 'following' day I would think.

 

[big gaz]

Midfielders as full backs we will be fine ;-)

 

[RayCTID]

I don't know where to put this or if this question has been asked but are there any plans of any extra pre-season friendlies or the CWC is the main preparation for this coming season?

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

I like the schedulers joke with the kick off time.....we are playing Al Ain ( a lie in)..... not at 2am it isn't!!!!

 

[west didsblue]

Think I’ll watch this about 8am. Just need to remember to disable alerts on my phone.

 

[west didsblue]

I don't know where to put this or if this question has been asked but are there any plans of any extra pre-season friendlies or the CWC is the main preparation for this coming season?

Not seen any pre season matches planned so I suspect this is it. And rightly so.

If we win, does it count as a 24/25 season trophy or 25/26?

 

[xgorton]

Only just noticed but big chance Real Madrid in knock out stage.

 

[Fordyboy46]

All change for this one: Ortega, Nunes, Ait- Nouri, Khusanov, Gvardiol, Gonzalez, Bernardo, Etcheverri, Bobb, Doku, Haaland