Man City V Barcelona Pre Match thread.

[Damien10]

Im going for the positive - no Kolarov

The thing is, Manuel will probably axe Clichy if this ends bad and opt for Kolarov in the second leg...

With maybe Boyata and Mum centre halfs.

and Fernando as a striker

I'm really shocked at the lineup and it's hard to see Barcelona not scoring a couple. I actually have a feeling Messi will score a brace or maybe an hattrick. He's devastating when given space.

 

[Badensbluemoon]

Like it or not, 4-4-2 is Pellegrini's formation. It's our formation, and we won the PL with it last year.

Yes this is Europe, and yes there is a great chance we will get dicked over. But it is our time to stamp our mark on the competition, our way.

Good point, the other issue is at what point you stop being afraid and start having the balls to go for them. I think today is that moment

 

[Dax777]

Poor team. Hope we win :(

 

[pudge]

Can't imagine being in the trenches with you lot haha!

"th-th-those ger-German t-t-t-tanks look big... Maybe we s-should turn b-back??"

Akin to playing a middle midfield of Fernando and Milner I imagine.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

The only thing that's keeping me positive if that silva and Nasri are both fully fit. If we're going to keep the ball tonight, it all depends on these two. Dzeko caused them a few problems last year when he came on and aguero should be buzzing. I can see a high scoring game and a lot of comical defending.

 

[abu13]

It's got to be more of a 4-2-2-2 right? Milner and Fernandinho probably instructed to sit extremely deep with the other 4 changing positions in attack. We've got no width whatsoever on the pitch, so I can't see them expecting the midfield 2 to get forward

I agree. Milner and Fernando have to sit in front of the back four and stay there.
Im amazed Fernandinho is not playing though

To be fair thinking about it that may be the plan with Aguero playing deep, maybe more of a 4231 formation.
now I think about it there is merit to making Aguero a deep lying midfielder with Dzeko up top holding play up. After all is has worked like a dream with Rooney for the tactical turtle and he's a genius you know.

 

[Damien10]

Like it or not, 4-4-2 is Pellegrini's formation. It's our formation, and we won the PL with it last year.

Yes this is Europe, and yes there is a great chance we will get dicked over. But it is our time to stamp our mark on the competition, our way.

Good point, the other issue is at what point you stop being afraid and start having the balls to go for them. I think today is that moment

Without your strongest team?

 

[FantasyIreland]

That line up screams two things to me....

1 - it doesn't give us the best opportunity to progress
2 - Pellegrini has left himself wide open to criticism when we lose.

 

[J4FOW]

Milner and fernando staying put in front of the back four could be more effective a shield than yaya and Fernandinho against opposition that counter quickly - yaya especially hasn't always shown a keen determination to track back.

Nasri, silva and aguero can cause them plenty of problems with quick one touch passing.

Edin offers us the chance to be more than one dimensional - we can put it in the air with more than hope. Plus corners - don't forget how important they are to our gameplan....(!)

I probably would have gone for one up, but it hasn't always worked and on reflection, adopting an aggressive attitude at home shows balls

PS - I wouldn't fancy being in the trenches with most on this thread! Some of you make chicken licken look courageous

 

[deano ou812]

I see Zabba , Clichy , Dzeko and Aguero are all on yellow cards. If they get another tonight - no second leg for them.

Hmmm,I wonder what odds you would get on only these players being booked tonight..