City vs Chelsea pre-match thread

[Chrisdunk]

If we can give another Barca level performance, we could well blitz Chelsea in the same manner.
Pep will indeed do his homework prior to this game.

Conte is one of the best managers tactically. Doubt he'll leave his team exposed like Luis Enrique did.

 

[MarsLlama]

We have one massive advantage: we can be 95% sure of exactly who will play and how they'll set up. Pep's biggest asset is the ability to analyse a team and figure out how to tactically destroy them.
I think Fernandinho and Fernando both need to play. The main reason for this is that they have a similar set-up in an energetic, ball winning passer and a strong, defensive player in midfield. We can counter that with our own counterparts in the City team. Fernando also has to double up and deal with Moses- we can't give the wing-backs the kind of space that Tottenham did. Cahill is someone I'm looking at who might suffer under the press, so Aguero in particular needs to be looking to pressurise him. I would start Navas in front of Sagna on the right in order to deal with Hazard's pace. Navas may not be popular but his defensive contribution is undeniable and I for one think he's more likely on current form to play well than Sterling, who's looked badly out of sorts lately. Otamendi and Stones need to work hard against Costa- if they can shut him down for the opening 30 minutes then maybe they can frustrate him into a booking, meaning he'll be forced to stay careful from then on. Normally I'd suggest Clichy would deal better with Pedro but Clichy's been dreadful recently so I think we need to play Kolarov.
I think De Bruyne has to play because he seems to be able to regularly get assists no matter how well he plays. Next to him I'd start with Silva because I'm not convinced Matic has the ability to mark Silva out of the game. Aguero has to start up front, obviously.

Bravo
Sagna Stones Otamendi Kolarov
Fernandinho Fernando
Navas De Bruyne Silva
Aguero

Caballero, Zabaleta, Clichy, Nolito, Sterling, Sané, Iheanacho

2-1 City, a ground out result not dissimilar to the United game.

 

[Bluep*ss]

We have one massive advantage: we can be 95% sure of exactly who will play and how they'll set up. Pep's biggest asset is the ability to analyse a team and figure out how to tactically destroy them.
I think Fernandinho and Fernando both need to play. The main reason for this is that they have a similar set-up in an energetic, ball winning passer and a strong, defensive player in midfield. We can counter that with our own counterparts in the City team. Fernando also has to double up and deal with Moses- we can't give the wing-backs the kind of space that Tottenham did. Cahill is someone I'm looking at who might suffer under the press, so Aguero in particular needs to be looking to pressurise him. I would start Navas in front of Sagna on the right in order to deal with Hazard's pace. Navas may not be popular but his defensive contribution is undeniable and I for one think he's more likely on current form to play well than Sterling, who's looked badly out of sorts lately. Otamendi and Stones need to work hard against Costa- if they can shut him down for the opening 30 minutes then maybe they can frustrate him into a booking, meaning he'll be forced to stay careful from then on. Normally I'd suggest Clichy would deal better with Pedro but Clichy's been dreadful recently so I think we need to play Kolarov.
I think De Bruyne has to play because he seems to be able to regularly get assists no matter how well he plays. Next to him I'd start with Silva because I'm not convinced Matic has the ability to mark Silva out of the game. Aguero has to start up front, obviously.

Bravo
Sagna Stones Otamendi Kolarov
Fernandinho Fernando
Navas De Bruyne Silva
Aguero

Caballero, Zabaleta, Clichy, Nolito, Sterling, Sané, Iheanacho

2-1 City, a ground out result not dissimilar to the United game.

Where is Gundogan ? - not even on your bench.....

 

[Bluep*ss]

How many Chelsea players would we want in our City team?
Hazzard - yes. Courtois - yes. Anyone else ..?

 

[MarsLlama]

Where is Gundogan ? - not even on your bench.....

Forgot him tbh, chuck him in for Sterling.

 

[Akiva]

Surprised people seem to think Pep will play this one defensively, when all signs point to Chelsea being suspect against a team employing high pressing and fast-paced attacking football. How he can get that out of his squad, is another issue, but I'd honestly be surprised to see Fernando start even though he's been rock solid of late.

Forgot him tbh, chuck him in for Sterling.

FWIW, I think it's safe to assume the players rested on Saturday won't be starting on the bench.

How many Chelsea players would we want in our City team?
Hazzard - yes. Courtois - yes. Anyone else ..?

Hazzard yes, Luiz maybe, that's about it.

 

[Blue Hefner]

How many Chelsea players would we want in our City team?
Hazzard - yes. Courtois - yes. Anyone else ..?

No. Don't rate him as highly as some. Seems to spill at alot and misses/flaps at crosses

 

[cibaman]

If we play well we can pin their wing-backs and they could end up with a flat back 5

It goes without saying but we need to take our chances, do that and I can see us winning 3-0 or 3-1. Aguero is usually good for a goal against Chelsea

I think they will almost certainly play with 7 men behind the ball, Costa up front and Hazard & Pedro given a degree of license.

 

[aguero93:20]

How many Chelsea players would we want in our City team?
Hazzard - yes. Courtois - yes. Anyone else ..?

I'd have Willian or Pedro as squad players to replace Navas along with Alonso as a replacement for Clichy.

 

[Cotton Weave Blue]

Bravo
Sagna Ota Stones Kolarov
Fernandinho
Sterling DeBruyne Gundogan Silva
Aguero
​

This game is massive. Win and it sets us up great for the Arsenal fixture 2 weeks later.