Man City V Barcelona Pre Match thread.

[supercity88]

We definitely looked like a side in its first experience of the knockout rounds. We allowed Barcelona to play to their own pace and didn't try to play our game until we were 1-0 down and Demichelis had been sent off. We showed glimpses of what we can do. We didn't have a full strength side and we were short of goals so it wasn't too surprising.

This time the 4-4-2 might work. But we won't play it and nor should we. This is the first of two games. A nil nil would be a good result because we've avoided the away goal and we would back ourselves to score against anyone. I think we have to keep things tight and play as we did against Bayern. Treat it like an away game. Don't allow their attacking players space, press their midfielders and look to knick a goal on the counter. For me, the biggest decision is Nasri or Navas... I'd play Fernando and Fernandinho in a central two with Yaya ahead of them, helping with the pressing and looking to support Aguero. I'd play Silva wide left and then Navas for his pace on the counter. Lampard played to him and Aguero several times against Bayern - it was a tactic that worked well. I think Barca will have a lot of the ball and their full backs will pushup. We need to have an outlet to support Aguero and Navas is the best option in this game.

Depending how the game goes we have Bony for a more physical threat, Nasri for fluidity and retention of possession and Milner to put in a shift or Lampard to score a late winner! Plenty of options but I would look to sit deep, stop Inieta, Xavi/Rakitic/Busquets playing their passes forward and then try to intercept and launch Navas and Aguero forward with Yaya and Silva supporting. Pellegrini has generally played things very intelligently in the CL - play one way in the first leg and a different way in the second. If we were away we'd play the counter and then look to open them up at home. It's a tough game but the way we are playing you'd back us to pick up a goal on the counter attack.

 

[aguero93:20]

We definitely looked like a side in its first experience of the knockout rounds. We allowed Barcelona to play to their own pace and didn't try to play our game until we were 1-0 down and Demichelis had been sent off. We showed glimpses of what we can do. We didn't have a full strength side and we were short of goals so it wasn't too surprising.

This time the 4-4-2 might work. But we won't play it and nor should we. This is the first of two games. A nil nil would be a good result because we've avoided the away goal and we would back ourselves to score against anyone. I think we have to keep things tight and play as we did against Bayern. Treat it like an away game. Don't allow their attacking players space, press their midfielders and look to knick a goal on the counter. For me, the biggest decision is Nasri or Navas... I'd play Fernando and Fernandinho in a central two with Yaya ahead of them, helping with the pressing and looking to support Aguero. I'd play Silva wide left and then Navas for his pace on the counter. Lampard played to him and Aguero several times against Bayern - it was a tactic that worked well. I think Barca will have a lot of the ball and their full backs will pushup. We need to have an outlet to support Aguero and Navas is the best option in this game.

Depending how the game goes we have Bony for a more physical threat, Nasri for fluidity and retention of possession and Milner to put in a shift or Lampard to score a late winner! Plenty of options but I would look to sit deep, stop Inieta, Xavi/Rakitic/Busquets playing their passes forward and then try to intercept and launch Navas and Aguero forward with Yaya and Silva supporting. Pellegrini has generally played things very intelligently in the CL - play one way in the first leg and a different way in the second. If we were away we'd play the counter and then look to open them up at home. It's a tough game but the way we are playing you'd back us to pick up a goal on the counter attack.

It's a pity as you've obviously put a lot of thought in here, but Yaya is suspended.

 

[Stephenhakin]

We definitely looked like a side in its first experience of the knockout rounds. We allowed Barcelona to play to their own pace and didn't try to play our game until we were 1-0 down and Demichelis had been sent off. We showed glimpses of what we can do. We didn't have a full strength side and we were short of goals so it wasn't too surprising.

This time the 4-4-2 might work. But we won't play it and nor should we. This is the first of two games. A nil nil would be a good result because we've avoided the away goal and we would back ourselves to score against anyone. I think we have to keep things tight and play as we did against Bayern. Treat it like an away game. Don't allow their attacking players space, press their midfielders and look to knick a goal on the counter. For me, the biggest decision is Nasri or Navas... I'd play Fernando and Fernandinho in a central two with Yaya ahead of them, helping with the pressing and looking to support Aguero. I'd play Silva wide left and then Navas for his pace on the counter. Lampard played to him and Aguero several times against Bayern - it was a tactic that worked well. I think Barca will have a lot of the ball and their full backs will pushup. We need to have an outlet to support Aguero and Navas is the best option in this game.

Depending how the game goes we have Bony for a more physical threat, Nasri for fluidity and retention of possession and Milner to put in a shift or Lampard to score a late winner! Plenty of options but I would look to sit deep, stop Inieta, Xavi/Rakitic/Busquets playing their passes forward and then try to intercept and launch Navas and Aguero forward with Yaya and Silva supporting. Pellegrini has generally played things very intelligently in the CL - play one way in the first leg and a different way in the second. If we were away we'd play the counter and then look to open them up at home. It's a tough game but the way we are playing you'd back us to pick up a goal on the counter attack.

It's a pity as you've obviously put a lot of thought in here, but Yaya is suspended.

Jus pipped me to it ^^^^^

 

[GX Blue]

We definitely looked like a side in its first experience of the knockout rounds. We allowed Barcelona to play to their own pace and didn't try to play our game until we were 1-0 down and Demichelis had been sent off. We showed glimpses of what we can do. We didn't have a full strength side and we were short of goals so it wasn't too surprising.

This time the 4-4-2 might work. But we won't play it and nor should we. This is the first of two games. A nil nil would be a good result because we've avoided the away goal and we would back ourselves to score against anyone. I think we have to keep things tight and play as we did against Bayern. Treat it like an away game. Don't allow their attacking players space, press their midfielders and look to knick a goal on the counter. For me, the biggest decision is Nasri or Navas... I'd play Fernando and Fernandinho in a central two with Yaya ahead of them, helping with the pressing and looking to support Aguero. I'd play Silva wide left and then Navas for his pace on the counter. Lampard played to him and Aguero several times against Bayern - it was a tactic that worked well. I think Barca will have a lot of the ball and their full backs will pushup. We need to have an outlet to support Aguero and Navas is the best option in this game.

Depending how the game goes we have Bony for a more physical threat, Nasri for fluidity and retention of possession and Milner to put in a shift or Lampard to score a late winner! Plenty of options but I would look to sit deep, stop Inieta, Xavi/Rakitic/Busquets playing their passes forward and then try to intercept and launch Navas and Aguero forward with Yaya and Silva supporting. Pellegrini has generally played things very intelligently in the CL - play one way in the first leg and a different way in the second. If we were away we'd play the counter and then look to open them up at home. It's a tough game but the way we are playing you'd back us to pick up a goal on the counter attack.

Yaya isnt playing

 

[BerkshireBlue]

Something different from the team selection topic. I think it's time for a cheeky little bet that we'll score from a corner in this game. I don't think Barca are that great at defending set pieces.

 

[Stephenhakin]

Something different from the team selection topic. I think it's time for a cheeky little bet that we'll score from a corner in this game. I don't think Barca are that great at defending set pieces.

Kolorov won't be playing and we have no one else who can beat the first man.

 

[aguero93:20]

Something different from the team selection topic. I think it's time for a cheeky little bet that we'll score from a corner in this game. I don't think Barca are that great at defending set pieces.

No they're not and the Catalan media think Mascherano will be recalled. With Sagna, Kompany, Mangala, Fernando, Lampard, Dzeko and Bony all likely to see some game time in this game we should really be able to bully them at set pieces. Besides, anyone remember our goal against them last year(and the majority of our chances)?

 

[Dubai Blue]

Something different from the team selection topic. I think it's time for a cheeky little bet that we'll score from a corner in this game. I don't think Barca are that great at defending set pieces.

Unfortunately we'll still be shite at taking them. We haven't been thwarted for the last 250 times by expert defending!

 

[PragueBlue]

......................Hart

Sagna..Kompany..Mangala..Clichy

....................Fernando

Navas.....Fernandinho......Nasri

.......................Silva

....................Aguero

I suspect that Pellegrini may go with MD instead of Mangala though and possibly Milner instead of Navas. Lampard just isn't mobile enough to start this game.

 

[schfc6]

If all were well I wouldn't change the team from Saturday, but without YaYa obviously things have to change.

I agree with the notion the 442 shouldn't be used in Europe but if it was a voice between a up for it Dzeko or Fernando it's a no brainier for me, 442 it would be. But YaYa isn't there so we have a problem.

For me especially if Milner isn't fit I'd play Zabaleta in midfield.

Hart
Sagna VK Mangala Clichy
............Fernado...............
....Zaba........Fernandinho...
Silva.............................Nasri
..............Sergio..................

If Milner is fit I'd be tempted to play him in place of Fernando and drop Zaba to holding midfielder.

The only way I can see us playing 2 up top is with the Liverpool style diamond.

Back 4
Nasri Milner Fernandinho
............Silva........
Bony/Dzeko Aguero.

Who knows what we'll play, but I don't think we have the players to counteract theirs, so we really need to play our game. YaYa is a big miss and simply can't be replaced by Fernado.

If Fernando is to play, we need to sit deep very deep and crowd our own box, I'd then play Demichelis over Mangala. Barca do struggle against parked busses. We should look to his them on the break and some how utilise set pieces.