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

[Didsbury Dave]

Not sure when ive been to semi-finals against London based fans like the Rags they always appear to snap up spare tickets , but 35k Blues will do us proud. Right now i am beginning to regret not making the effort i should be cherishing every Wembley occasion because who knows how long it will last ?

We have half the stadium today so won’t be lacking in support!

 

[Gone for a Burton]

Our FA Cup semi-final record is dismal , we appear to scrap to get to the last four then Pep plays a weakened side at Wembley , ive been to every semi-final but i have swerved this one , its only a good day out if you win and if Pep selects a team with one eye on the Brighton game which is the sensible thing to do then i will be doing my impression of a plastic Rag & Dipper and watching from the comfort of my living room
Every credit to the lads and lasses going down there today you will probably be outnumbered but we will be loud and proud as always.

Over 37000 City fans from 200 miles away.

Chavs from 7 miles away.

THATs support !!

 

[Blue and true]

Nunes gives me the same vibe as Kalvin. Before they arrived they contributed to their teams and were proactive in the midfield. They both look like 'we've made it to the top' after our move to City and consequently their ambition to be involved takes a hit. Too relaxed.

Of course others have taken time to settle and maybe he will, but we need to see a sign or two.

All that said I hope he plays a part today.

Much more confident he'll succeed here than I was with Phillips. We've seen glimpses from him; good at knitting passes together in the final third and excellent ball-carrying ability.

Though I don't ever see him as a Rodri deputy.

 

[Fordyboy46]

False nine back today I think. Alvarez and Haaland just not providing enough of late

 

[Ric]

False nine back today I think. Alvarez and Haaland just not providing enough of late

Alvarez is absolutely nailed on to start imo.

 

[lazerblue]

if bernardo starts we should sing his song none stop for the first 15 min

 

[Ric]

It's going to take a gargantuan effort from the players today if we're to win this. As others have said, the scheduling is a disgrace and means we have little choice to but to play a weakened side. Hopefully the squad players can rise to the challenge, with the senior players to come off the bench if required.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

It's going to take a gargantuan effort from the players today if we're to win this. As others have said, the scheduling is a disgrace and means we have little choice to but to play a weakened side. Hopefully the squad players can rise to the challenge, with the senior players to come off the bench if required.

We don't really have a weekend side players like Kyle bernie and Phil have no problems with fitness ake and stones can come in same with alvarez and doku jack should be able to go again kovacic should be ready to play and I expect rodri to get at least 60 mins.

 

[Ric]

We don't really have a weekend side players like Kyle bernie and Phil have no problems with fitness ake and stones can come in same with alvarez and doku jack should be able to go again kovacic should be ready to play and I expect rodri to get at least 60 mins.

Will be interesting to see when the line-up is announced. I'd be very surprised if either Bernardo or Rodri are in the starting XI.

 

[Kippax77]

It's going to take a gargantuan effort from the players today if we're to win this. As others have said, the scheduling is a disgrace and means we have little choice to but to play a weakened side. Hopefully the squad players can rise to the challenge, with the senior players to come off the bench if required.

We arrived in this fixture 2 years ago in a similar state against the dippers.
We were knackered and up against a much better side than Chelsea that day.
It was red hot and even at 3-0 down fought back like the fighters this club are.
Almost pulled if off but was extremely proud of the lads that day and we got our revenge by taking the title again that year.
Keeping the ball and possession today will even the teams up in the tiredness stakes.
Having Chelsea chasing on a big Wembley pitch would soon take any wind out of their sails.
We obviously need to be more clinical today though