Hoffenheim (A) 1755hrs - Pre Match Thread

[kaz7]

I'm getting pre match jitters now but am quietly confident. Radio silence from the united fans in my family has commenced.

I don't know why but i don't get nervous for CL games whereas i get frantic before prem games ha

 

[BlueDan91]

I presumed we were playing 3 at the back rather than laporte at left back.

Laporte otamendi kompany
Walker dinho. Gundo. Silva. Sane
Aguero sterling

Drops to a 433 when defending. 352 when attacking.

 

[Gray]

We must not lose this one or things will start getting tricky.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Stones should be starting. Played well in most games and offers more then Vincent

 

[Gabriel]

Save Aguero for Jesus and Gundogan for de Bruyne, then it's similar to the team that we fielded at Goodison, though whether Laporte will be encouraged to get further forward this evening is debatable,

 

[kaz7]

Stones should be starting. Played well in most games and offers more then Vincent

For once we have an abundance of CB's so they are going to get rotated a lot,it's a strong defence whoever plays

 

[OntarioBlue]

For me that indicates Laporte is the most likely option at left back on Sunday should Mendy not prove his fitness. No real issue with the side, maybe would have rested Sergio but I understand we need to win and we can always bring him off if we settle the game early.

Hopefully a quiet nights work for fernandinho, I'm worried about the minutes in his aging legs already this season. Pep needs to start bringing him off when the game is won and he doesn't need to play 90 minutes

I suspect youre right. Salah plays mostly on the right and I think Laporte is a better defensive option than Zinchenko against him. Zinchenko is a very fine player - hes just not the most solid defender I have ever seen. Hoping for a couple of goals tonight then a few substitutions

 

[deano ou812]

Hmmmm,no Bernardo probably been our best player so far this season,Laporte playing out of position (although he has filled in before) take it Delph and Mendy both injured then,still a very strong lineup,but I keep getting a nagging feeling about this game although hopefully it’s just nervousness from our awful record with that ref in charge...

 

[kaz7]

 

[Tricky_Trev]

The main thing I think we learn from this team selection is that Laporte is playing left back at Anfield. So you have to assume it will be Stones and Otamendi in the middle.