FA Cup Semi-Final | City v Chelsea pre-match thread

[Lee the Blue]

Ortega

Rico
Stones
Dias
Ake

Kovacic
Foden
Bernardo
Grealish
Doku

Haaland

 

[youngbob]

Ortega
Lewis, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol
Foden, Kovacic, Grealish
Bobb, Alvarez, Doku

Let's try that eh.

 

[Claytop]

I think he'll go pretty strong recovery dependent, we've threw away a couple semi's before due to rotation (Chelsea & Liverpool)

We got lucky last year when drawing Sheff Utd though, enabled us to rest Rodri and a few others IIRC.

 

[Blu1]

No rodders, Kev, haaland, akanji, foden please they are exhausted.

We won’t have enough for this game sadly. Chelsea’s entire season rest on this game & they will be fresh

If our squad players turn up we have a slight chance but they have all been hit & miss all season which is why rodders plays too much

 

[eastmanc]

We can’t risk several players for this. Haaland, Kev & akanji asked to come off last night shows you how fatigued our players are. We are running on fumes

You can't pick and choose because we will end up with fuck all.

 

[Blu1]

You can't pick and choose because we will end up with fuck all.

That’s the issue with a small squad. I think we have to pick. Imagine we play rodders & he gets injured due to fatigue. We win zero. Players need a rest

 

[Ray bloody Purchase]

I thought we would get through vs Madrid last night, not easily, but through, Chelsea to me was probably the game too far, also when you are on a long run of unbeaten games, it’s always looming in the background it will come to an end, just like the arse vs Villa the other night. I was in Athens for the Supercup final back in August last year, and the players looked absolutely knackered then, before, during and after the game, what they have done since is incredible to be in the position we are still in now, do we have 7 cup finals after Saturday or 6?, either way what an effort from them, I am glad it’s a Saturday game for selfish reasons, but wish it was on the Sunday for the team, hope that extra day we could have had doesn’t spoil the game as I do think a first 11 will be fielded based on a lot more things than the importance of the match itself. A real tough game.

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

We should never underestimate these players , no doubt there will be half a dozen changes but we will still have strong team , we have a pattern of play and tactics that will give Chelsea problems , despite a crap result last night i am really looking forward to Saturday , Chelsea are a group of individuals and depend on moments from their players. We are different gravy , a well drilled team , if we take our chances this is a non-contest , thirty shots and two goals should do it :)

 

[bluemc1]

The boys will deserve huge praise if they win this one
Come on City

 

[John Wayne]

That’s the issue with a small squad. I think we have to pick. Imagine we play rodders & he gets injured due to fatigue. We win zero. Players need a rest

Alas, you are right. We can't play Rodri from the start on Saturday. I feel we need to gamble here and play a rotated team so that we are in good condition for Brighton and Forest. Eight days between Madrid and Brighton should give the big guns adequate rest.

Ortega
Lewis
Dias (Stones to get some minutes)
Ake
Gvardiol (Akanji to get some minutes)
Kovacic
Nunes
Bernardo (Foden to get some minutes)
Doku
Alvarez
Bobb