CL Quarter Final Draw - Liverpool A Apr 4th - H Apr 10th

[Blueside]

Oh yes you do! If needed, that is exactly what you are going to do. I repeat, if needed, for those who need it -which is Guardiola's call.

You follow objectives, and you set your priorities accordingly. The league title is already won, I do not give a fuck (neither does History...) when City will win it mathematically. But we're talking about a CL QF here. You fuck up there, you won't be able to fix it. The opportunity is lost permanently, you'll have to wait for next season again...

These players have worked their asses off to achieve such an advantage. Some of them may need protection, we'll see. Obviously the result of the 1st leg is expected to play a major role in this, the injury status of the squad, individual form etc. What I mean is that, in any case, this is a luxury City can afford, while Liverpool cannot. Their CL football next season is a question mark at the moment, with Chelsea 4 points behind, and 8 matches to go. So they are obliged to give everything on both competitions -another factor that could have an influence in the matches between us...

I think back in the early 70's city were due to play Chelsea in the European Cup Winners Cup and we had a league game just before it that wasn't important. Malcolm Allison wanted to rest Colin Bell; Joe Mercer said you always played your strongest side...... Bell got injured in the league game.... I remember under Stuart Pearce when Samaras was our main hope against West Ham in the FA Cup and he got injured the game before when perhaps he should have been rested.

For me, resting players so that they are available for the 'must win' games (whether league or cup) is essential - we won't get a second chance in the CL whereas the United game is not that vital given the run in we have.

I also think that psychologically we need to turn the Liverpool fixture 'hoo-doo' around - its long overdue and this is our best ever chance, especially now that the Arsenal hoo-doo has been put to bed at long last. We have a fantastic chance to step-up here.........

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

The "European Old Guard" will implode if we win this. I absolutely fancy us over two legs, and at worst would accept a one goal loss at the Merseyside Museum of History. If we get the away goal and lose by a maximum of one, they'll know they're fucked.

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

This will all make for a glorious Amazon documentary. Can't wait to watch and relive the memories of this amazing City season. City worldwide fan base will grow tremendously!

Same here pal. In a few months when it's actually sunk in, it'll be nice to sit back and gloat in a sea of sky blue nostalgia :-D

 

[Zak747]

I’m happy with this tie. Score draw in the first leg will be good and were more than capable of winning too remember it’s a different competition and if we have league wrapped before 2nd leg the boys will full of confidence

 

[Fred_Quimby]

I think back in the early 70's city were due to play Chelsea in the European Cup Winners Cup and we had a league game just before it that wasn't important. Malcolm Allison wanted to rest Colin Bell; Joe Mercer said you always played your strongest side...... Bell got injured in the league game.... I remember under Stuart Pearce when Samaras was our main hope against West Ham in the FA Cup and he got injured the game before when perhaps he should have been rested.

For me, resting players so that they are available for the 'must win' games (whether league or cup) is essential - we won't get a second chance in the CL whereas the United game is not that vital given the run in we have.

I also think that psychologically we need to turn the Liverpool fixture 'hoo-doo' around - its long overdue and this is our best ever chance, especially now that the Arsenal hoo-doo has been put to bed at long last. We have a fantastic chance to step-up here.........

What planet do you live on? This is the rags AND a chance to sew up the league. Didn’t you hear a word that Capn Kompany said? He spoke for every City supporter.

 

[cibaman]

Not a chance it will be Uniteds big chance to have something to say for the next few months. Its not even as though Liverpool would be favourites to win the competition if they beat us.

We have to prioritise the Dippers games and depending on the result of the first leg and any knocks picked up will determine how much tinkering is to be done. I am not talking about wholesale changes for the rags match and we should have enough in the squad to make sure we come through what is a good test.

I reckon our players will get through all three games perfectly fine, on adrenaline and euphoria (if we beat everton and united). There could well be a reaction for the Spurs game but if we've won the league and are through to the CL semi finals then who cares?

Clearly Liverpool had a massive advantage over us in terms of recovery times the last time we played them but this time it will be a level playing field. I expect it will be our strongest team for each game with the only changes being for tactical reasons.

 

[Leto]

They do forget the Jesus and Stones chances before the sending off. Only ever look at their own. They’re by far the most hateable fan base in England.

They're nowhere near as bad as United fans and never will be.

They do like their alternate histories and tables though. I'm sure there was one a few years back showing how they would have won the league if every time they hit the woodwork it had been a goal instead, I might be imaging that but it sounds so plausible with the Scousers.

 

[Lancet Fluke]

I remember under Stuart Pearce when Samaras was our main hope against West Ham in the FA Cup.

 

[SkyBlueTX]

Good matchup, avoiding Barca/Real/Bayern until the semis. Plus have the decisive 2nd leg in Manchester. Not sure what more you could realistically ask for in the UCL QF.

UEFA keep defying the odds with another draw that keeps the top teams from facing each other until the semis. PMSL.

 

[Nelinho]

I think back in the early 70's city were due to play Chelsea in the European Cup Winners Cup and we had a league game just before it that wasn't important. Malcolm Allison wanted to rest Colin Bell; Joe Mercer said you always played your strongest side...... Bell got injured in the league game.... I remember under Stuart Pearce when Samaras was our main hope against West Ham in the FA Cup and he got injured the game before when perhaps he should have been rested.

For me, resting players so that they are available for the 'must win' games (whether league or cup) is essential - we won't get a second chance in the CL whereas the United game is not that vital given the run in we have.

I also think that psychologically we need to turn the Liverpool fixture 'hoo-doo' around - its long overdue and this is our best ever chance, especially now that the Arsenal hoo-doo has been put to bed at long last. We have a fantastic chance to step-up here.........

That is exactly what I'm saying in my previous post, talking about that ridiculous thing called "the Anfield factor". I see this as a perfect opportunity for the team to make a step forward in terms of maturity...

As for the rest of your post, really have nothing to add...

 

[rachel scarborough]

it's a good draw. glad we avoided real or barca.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Good matchup, avoiding Barca/Real/Bayern until the semis. Plus have the decisive 2nd leg in Manchester. Not sure what more you could realistically ask for in the UCL QF.

UEFA keep defying the odds with another draw that keeps the top teams from facing each other until the semis. PMSL.

Don't forget keeping the Spanish teams apart.

 

[Pam]

So you'd risk a treble just for the kudos of winning the league against the rags? That seems daft to me. The priority now is the Champions League, and we should do whatever it takes to ensure our squad is in prime condition for those games. We have 2 trophies in the bag, no matter what the derby result is.

If it was guaranteed, I would trade winning the title against them for winning the CL. But it's anything but guaranteed and anyway, why can't we do both? 3 games in 10 days is hardly unheard of. In fact, it's par for the course.

 

[GortonBlue62]

There's a psychological barrier to be overcome here, for our fans, our team and our club.

Guardiola is the one man I'd hand pick to see us through and get this monkey off our back once and for all.

I CANNOT FUCKING WAIT.

 

[Charlie Chuck]

I can't believe some of the negative comments on here.

 

[Pam]

Everton game being switched to Saturday at 12.30, that’s what I posted before about dippers moaning about the five hour advantage we have, but they have it wrong way round, I think ;-)

Because they know they need to have their excuses concocted.

 

[Blue Mist]

Well said.

I know a Mod has already had a word with me about this but by fuck this forum needs to toughen up!

I won’t say anything more on that matter now Mods

I am suprised the Mod had a word, it needed to be said and I am glad you said it. Some fans are now even panicking about the Derby as though UeFA have sprung the two dates on us. Hell some seem to prefer Barca away, Rags and then Barca home, we really are a defeatist bunch, no wonder there is no atmosphere, they are to busy with roseary beads and prayer mats.
Please note other types of beads are available, not sure about mats.

 

[Vienna_70]

Amazing, isn’t it?

The two 'favourites', Barcelona and Bayern, are drawn against the 'outsiders' Roma and Sevilla respectively, and the four 'middling' teams are drawn against each other.

What a coincidence!

 

[purplenose]

Good matchup, avoiding Barca/Real/Bayern until the semis. Plus have the decisive 2nd leg in Manchester. Not sure what more you could realistically ask for in the UCL QF.

UEFA keep defying the odds with another draw that keeps the top teams from facing each other until the semis. PMSL.

They would in their defense I would imagine they would point out Real Madrid and PSG meeting in the last 16?

Like you I do think this is a pretty good draw, avoiding the real big guns and 2nd leg at home. Infact if there were a terrible parallel world where its is the rags who have just got this draw (and we are not even the FA Cup because Wigan have knocked us out) then we would without doubt be calling them jammy bastards for having got this draw and with some justification I might add.

 

[Ballet On Ice]

What if, oh no it's Liverpool, they beat us. Can we do it over two legs.

I don't think I believe we will beat them away, with a full team and Berny playing right in the first leg we are good enough to win there and if they then start to chase the game we could even virtually close the tie out in the first leg.
Then we look at the Derby, three big games in a week so have Liverpool. Plus the title is nearly done we can close it out pretty quick even if we drop points against Everton or the rags, they are also going to drop points.