Hoffenheim (h) pre-match thread

[kippaxchris]

I think we might beat Barca at our best and move on but I’d rather have that test in the final as 2 games v Barca may well take it out of us. So it depends how you see it.

After the Prem I’d rather have a chance at the CL than the domestic cups again.

Champions League or domestic treble?

 

[zabisgod]

Back 5 picks itself - Eddie, Danilo, vinny, nico, zinc

Gundogan with b silva and foden infront of him

Mahrez Jesus and one of sterling/sane

 

[BoundedCascade]

Back 5 picks itself - Eddie, Danilo, vinny, nico, zinc

Gundogan with b silva and foden infront of him

Mahrez Jesus and one of sterling/sane

I think Bernardo needs a rest, I would like to see Brahim get it, even if he is out the door, he can still be utilized to give Bernardo a rest.

 

[GX Blue]

I think Bernardo needs a rest, I would like to see Brahim get it, even if he is out the door, he can still be utilized to give Bernardo a rest.

A rest? He didn't play for 2 weeks after that Portugal match the other week.

 

[St.Pauli support]

 

[Machiavelli]

Barca, Real, Bayern, Atletico, Juventus and PSG likely to win group (PSG could still be 2nd). So winning the group could be vital. Still potentially tough teams to play though. Dortmund, Napoli for example.

Because of that Pep might go strong but he really shouldn't. Cannot see Lyon beating Shakhtar. They might draw but can actually see Shakhtar stealing 2nd place as they did v Napoli last season. Lyon seem to be a thorn against us but shite otherwise.

Cheers mate.

 

[eversince 76]

Sure Pep will rotate. Just hope some of the injured three are fit enough to pick up a few minutes.
We need to be sure of topping the table after tomorrow night. And build on our home form in the CL. Remember Hoffenheim can still qualify for the EC and for them that is a great achievement if they do.

 

[supercity88]

You are probably correct but can you imagine if Lyon won and we lost then drew Barca.

I know but at some point this squad needs to prove itself. The league cup isn't enough. Walker, Sterling, Ferny have played so much football. Silva could do with a rest too based on recent performances. Yes there is an argument to play them into form but equally I see this weekend as a chance to regain top spot and Everton and their style of play does concern me. We need to be firing in order to beat them and hope the rags do us a favour. Knocking the dippers off a week after they got top spot would be an enjoyable experience and should they get knocked out tonight a huge additional mental blow.

Ederson can play so can Sane, Jesus, Mahrez and Bernardo. Danilo is generally decent and Otamendi and Kompany aren't exactly a huge drop off from Stones and Laporte. Our squad is good enough to get a win tomorrow. Should they not and we fail to top the group it is merely evidence that we are perhaps not as good as we thought we were from that perspective.

Yes Aguero and De Bruyne are out so it is a smaller selection but to utilise the squad in a game with something riding on it wpuld be a huge boost and they all need to prove they are worthy of starting.

I think Pep will disagree with me and go close to full strength to try and get a good lead early and then change Ferny/Silva and maybe Walker. And who am I to argue. I just hope we don't then suffer further at home to Everton as Liverpool could then extend their lead against United. I always feel nervous when we play Everton as they used to always screw us over even without strikers. December 2010 always sticks out as there was snow everywhere and I was late getting to the ground and had read that they didn't have any fit striker yet got into the ground with us already 1 down.

 

[Cobra]

Danilo out injured yet again. So Walker won’t get the rest he desperately needs.

 

[Cobwebcat]

Champions League or domestic treble?

Treble but I don’t see how drawing Barca helps.