supercity88
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 9 Aug 2009
- Messages
- 13,846
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.
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.