Manchester City vs Everton pre-match thread

[CrownPointBlue]

Bravo

Zabaleta
Otamendi
Stones
Clichy

Fernandinho

Sterling
Gundogan
Silva
Nolito

Aguero

Bring in De Bruyne, Sane after 60 mins. Hopefully a run out for Maffeo as well

Bravo

Zabaleta
Otamendi
Stones
Clichy

Fernandinho

Sterling
Gundogan
Silva
Nolito

Aguero

Bring in De Bruyne, Sane after 60 mins. Hopefully a run out for Maffeo as well

Is Kun back and fit ?

 

[Ric]

Is Kun back and fit ?

He played the full 90 minutes last night, and is due back in training tomorrow.

 

[crazyg]

Been listening to Five Live on my way back home, and they are covering our match at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday! Great research by their staff once again - nothing like being up to date. (And that's nothing like being up to date)

 

[Manchester33]

Thought some of you might like to watch these highlights again:

 

[Manchester33]

Firstly, Zabaleta is fit, so I don't know why people are saying we should start Maffeo. At least play zaba for 70 mins and sub him on depending on what the result is like? Do the same against Saints the week after as well. But Barca away isn't a game where you blood youngsters.

IMO play your strongest starting 11 for EVERY game. Re-evaluate before each match, but don't plan in advance... your next game is your most important etc etc.

 

[Father Paul]

N

Firstly, Zabaleta is fit, so I don't know why people are saying we should start Maffeo. At least play zaba for 70 mins and sub him on depending on what the result is like? Do the same against Saints the week after as well. But Barca away isn't a game where you blood youngsters.

IMO play your strongest starting 11 for EVERY game. Re-evaluate before each match, but don't plan in advance... your next game is your most important etc etc.

"Re-evaluate before each game but Don't plan in advance" Not sure about the logic of this. I think it is almost universally accepted now by coaches that a certain amount of rotation is essential. So it is just not possible to play the same 11 -even if fit- for say 7 games in 18 days as our schedule often is. You are right that Zaba will most likely start all of the next 3 games with Maffeo getting the nod against the rags. Just read in the MEN that Fernandinho may be moved to right back not sure if that would be wise especially if Fernando would be the pivot. However, Gundogen and maybe Garcia might fit into this position. Finally, on balance Barca away is not the best place as you suggest to blood youngsters but the managers hand may be forced due to injuries.

 

[Mike N]

Been listening to Five Live on my way back home, and they are covering our match at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday! Great research by their staff once again - nothing like being up to date. (And that's nothing like being up to date)

Heard that this morning. Very odd.

 

[blinkblue]

I think people are picking Maffeo because unfortunately Zabaleta is practically finished.

 

[BlueAnorak]

Definitely my preferred option

I nemtioned this at the start of the season as an option. We will need a much better option than Sagna or Zabaletta against Arsenal and Liverpool and I think Navas could fit the bill.

 

[BlueAnorak]

So Pep is human.
I still can't believe he played Zabaletta and Kolarov as fullbacks and Fernando as the DM. A complete brain fart for me as the results were ever so predictable.
Let's hope the superhuman returns against Everton.