City v CSKA Moscow Pre Match Discussion Thread

[moomba]

Is Lopes injured?

He's not in our CL squad list

Does he have to be?

 

[gmckennasell]

not sure if i can make the game , could be a last minute decision , will we be able to buy tickets on the night , will need 4 tickets , presumably ticket office can activate our blue cards on the night .

 

[sir baconface]

Personally I hope the joe supporters get fully behind pants now. Their boy has been dropped due to his mistakes and for the good of the team. Just deal with it already. Now let's hope for a dominant game by us and zero shots on goal by them. 1-0 will do for me, second round here we come

I think this is the case with most of us. The controversy was around whether it was in the club's best interests to drop Joe or let him play through his loss of form. I haven't noticed anyone saying they won't back Panti now that decision has been made.

I'm hoping Joe will come back stronger when the time comes but will support the manager and Panti 100% in the meantime.

 

[davymcfc]

Huge game tomorrow. One final push. We win this and we are through.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Huge game tomorrow. One final push. We win this and we are through.

Yeah think the lads will be well up for this and expect us to put on a very good performance like against the rags as above final push 2moro and at sunderland then we should have a fully fit squad for the busy festive period.

 

[M18SK13]

Heard they are bringing 500. Does anyone know how many we took to their place?

Looks like there will only be 497 of them.

Abusive CSKA Moscow fans flying from Russia to England for a Champions League clash with Manchester City have reportedly forced a plane to make an emergency landing in Denmark.

Russia's Sport Express daily said in a report on its website that half a dozen CSKA fans were arrested by Danish police after the plane made an emergency landing at Copenhagen airport.

The plane later continued to Manchester but the flight attendants ordered the CSKA fans to remain in their seats at all times, the report added.

It said three fans had been released but another three were still in Danish custody.

If confirmed, the incident would be the latest scandal involving CSKA fans after they racially abused Yaya Toure when the team hosted Manchester City in Moscow for the home leg.

UEFA has ruled CSKA must play their next home Champions League match in a partly closed stadium as punishment.

The report did not identify the airline involved but the only company offering direct flights from Moscow to Manchester is EasyJet.

Data on its website showed that Sunday's flight from Moscow EZY 1872 was "diverted to Copenhagen" and arrived in Manchester with a two-hour delay, although no reason was given.

 

[kunaguero10]

Pants, Zab, Demi, Nasty, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Yaya, Silva, Nasri, Negredo, Agüero.

bench: Hart (Richard Wright is injured damn), Micah, Lescott, Clichy, Milner, Navas, Dzeko. No place for Rodwell again:(

 

[citytill1die84]

Yaya will want to ram those abusive words straight down the throats of the Russians. Everyone will be up for this and I can see us winning by a couple of goals 3-1 Moscow have nothing to lose so they'll throw everything at us.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

I only want one change from the 7-0 - Kolarov in for Clichy.

 

[Deepest Blue]

Panti

Micah
Demi
Lescott
Kola

Milner
Ferny
Yaya
Silva

Negredo
Dzeko


Zab
Nasty
Rodders
Nasri
Navas
Agueroooo

 

[MihaiCity]

Panti

Micah
Demi
Lescott
Kola

Milner
Ferny
Yaya
Silva

Negredo
Dzeko


Zab
Nasty
Rodders
Nasri
Navas
Agueroooo

change aguero and nasri with dzeko and milner and i think this will be the team for tomorrow

 

[Eccles Blue]

I only want one change from the 7-0 - Kolarov in for Clichy.

I only want one change from the 7-0.................................................. 8-0............................................ Clichy to stay!!

 

[mammutly]

This is probably the most vital group game for us and the team will need to be set up right - tactically and mentally. The Russians will be on a must win mission. Will be a tough game and we need to take control early to avoid a siege situation. They will play hard and direct if allowed possession and, as we know, the defence can be flaky. Got to be an attacking line up for me - 2 strikers please and, another please, Mr Pellegrini - Javi Garcia cannot play in central defence. So don't even think about that one.

Can't get to this one - kids and bonfires. But will have everything crossed.

 

[SrilankanBlue]

Bellends, hope we twat 'em

Champions League: CSKA Moscow maintain racism row has been exaggerated



CSKA Moscow maintain that the racist abuse suffered by Manchester City's Yaya Toure in Russia was exaggerated.

Ahead of a return date between the two clubs in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky has been quizzed on the events which unfolded at the Arena Khimki on 23rd October.

His side have been sanctioned by UEFA for the behaviour of their fans during that contest, with the club set to play their next European home game at a partially closed stadium.

Repeatedly pressed on the matter at Monday's pre-match press conference, Slutsky said: "We have already spoken about our official position. It is normal, like many people, we are against racism.

"What I can say is the club is categorically against racism. We think the situation has been exaggerated and there was an over-reaction."
Leonid Slutsky
"In our team we have black players. We love them and give them our support.

"As for the match, we did not hear any racial slurs, so it is difficult to comment.

"What I can say is the club is categorically against racism. We think the situation has been exaggerated and there was an over-reaction.

"We have received our punishment, and it was up to UEFA to make this decision."

A club official tried on a number of occasions to steer questions away from the racism issue at an increasingly fractious media conference but they continued to recur.

Slutsky was asked if the club would make a personal apology to Toure but would not comment.

He said: "I think we have discussed this matter enough already."

Another question was pushed away with a response of: "The sooner we finish this matter the better. It has been discussed over and over again and brings unhealthy speculation."

When asked if the club were concerned about a repeat offence from supporters at the Etihad Stadium, media director Sergei Aksenov interrupted to say: "Let us wait for them to repeat it and then feel sorry for that."

 

[Deleted member 58619]

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Well up for the game tomorrow. With silva and aguero returning to top form, I look forward to matches more, seeing them two on sync ripping teams a new one. With the players behind them I really do think we can kick start our season now and go on a good run.

 

[Ray78]

There isn't any problems with Costel playing against CSKA as he handled the FA Cup Semi final against Chelsea without too many problems. My slight concern is with complacency throughout the rest of the team.

Based on what exactly?

Perhaps you think we should have scored 12 on Saturday?

It is based on the team thinking we have done the job in Moscow and the Norwich result. However reading the comments by the Russians it will probably give us extra motivation and hopefully my concerns are misplaced.

 

[K-Bo]

At least 3 people want to drop aguero in this thread. Insane in the membrane.

 

[NoahCity]

At least 3 people want to drop aguero in this thread. Insane in the membrane.

We can't just keep playing the same players all the time or they will burn out/get injured/fatigued.

 

[keemcfc]

Has to be

___________Pantilimon

(either)_Demichelis_Nastasic_(either)

________Yaya__Fernandinho

__Nasri_______Aguero_______Silva

_____________Negredo