Let's see some youth in the return leg!

Thaksinssoldier said:
I think he's on the right for the year, and most of his chances will be poaching at the far post. Nolito is locked down on the left by the look of it. Unless he goes down or is rested of course.
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There's no way Nolito "locks down" the left wing. There's no way any of our wingers lock down anything with Guardiola. He didn't go 90 consecutive games without having the same lineup for back to back games at Bayern by having players lock down a spot. They'll all rotate.

Pep also said after Bucharest that Sterling can play left or right, going to the by line or cutting in, which certainly doesn't suggest he's restricted to one side.
 
domalino said:
There's no way Nolito "locks down" the left wing. There's no way any of our wingers lock down anything with Guardiola. He didn't go 90 consecutive games without having the same lineup for back to back games at Bayern by having players lock down a spot. They'll all rotate.

Pep also said after Bucharest that Sterling can play left or right, going to the by line or cutting in, which certainly doesn't suggest he's restricted to one side.
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With any other play you may have a point, but Nolito is a complete one trick pony.(its a trick he does very, very well). If he plays, it'll be on the left. Sane, Navas and Raheem will share the right and Raheem will back up Nolito in the left IMO.
 
Thaksinssoldier said:
With any other play you may have a point, but Nolito is a complete one trick pony.(its a trick he does very, very well). If he plays, it'll be on the left. Sane, Navas and Raheem will share the right and Raheem will back up Nolito in the left IMO.
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I think Nolito could easily play centrally, either as or behind a main striker.
 
As regards the 2nd leg I still think Pep will play a strong team with maybe a few younger players on the bench. Let's get a couple of goals up then we can give some of these youngsters a game in the last 30mins or so. The tie is ours to lose, lets get the 2nd leg in our favour before playing any of the kids.
By the way did anybody spot what the shirt sponsorship was on the Steaua shirts, I thought it was most appropriate for the way we played that 1st leg City Slickers.
 
The other point to consider is Steaua resting players in the incredible unlikelihood of them advancing. Is it worth risking the first team in what could essentially be a friendly against a lower league side?
 
Would like to see fringe and youth players given time in this match. It is not only our key players who need to familiarise themselves with the new tactics, other players in the squad need to gain some match fitness and learn Pep's way too. One of the problems last season was the huge gap of quality between first choices and substitutes, and giving squad players more minutes could keep them sharp and ready. Not to mention that the more familiar they are with Pep's tactics, the more likely they will improve. This can help maintain squad harmony as well.

And taking into account that our pre-season plans were disrupted, it may not be the best for the players' recovery if they suddenly play 4 matches in 11 days. Might be better if some of them are rested or taken off early.
 
This is the team I'd like to see on Wednesday:

Hart
Maffeo Denayer Tosin Angelino
Fernando Silva Delph
Sterling Nacho Nolito

Subs: Caballero, Mangala, Yaya, Zab, De Bruyne, Diaz, Aguero
 
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