MNF

[Anonymous]

Barca this year are nowhere near the team they used to be... Bayern are a much more complete team and if we can beat them at there gaff then I don't see why we cant beat Barca... their defence is terrible but going forward they could destroy us.

I think Barca are a level below the Barca of last season, a team which was already showing that it wasn't quite up to the quality of Pep's team. Was interesting listening to Neville talking about our formation and that tie in particular. I got the impression that Neville himself has seen enough of Barca this season and last to know that this City team can beat them home and away.

The fact is reflected upon the Barca/PSG tie from last season I thought was bang on the money. Paris should've won that tie quite comfortably, and but not for the profligacy of Ibra, Lavezzi, and Pastore, they probably would've done.

I seem to remember Moura giving them all sorts of problems in one of those game. Hopefully Navas can have a similar impact but with end product.

In both games Ancelotti had two "sitters" in midfield (Matuidi and Beckham at the PdP and Matuidi and Verrati at the Camp Nou"), and then a front four of Ibra, Lavezzi, Pastore, and Moura. You're right Moura caused them all sorts of problems, but honestly all four of the forward players did and Paris were the better team over the two legs. The key as Neville pointed out was the work rate in particular of he two wide players (Lavezzi and Moura).

In the MNF analysis the one thing which I thought was wrong and unfair was the comments that our forwards don't/won't come back and help out the midfield. Neville and Carragher used the Munich home game as an example. Although it was a fair comment about that match in particular, more often than not the forwards do help the midfield out.

Personally I think that both at the Nou Camp and at the Etihad we should and will one up 4222 with Negredo and Kun (if they're both fit) starting both games. I've come round to the belief that regardless of the game and the opponent if the players are fit, we should play our preferred two striker formation. We're good enough to beat anyone playing it if we apply ourselves.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Watch us batter them 4-1 this season and he is too bloody impartial. I don't get how he manages it considering he is red through and through, It's hard to hate him

Funny you should say that, bobmcfc. I've always found it one of life's pleasures and something as simple and easy as falling off a log about to go over Niagara Falls.

 

[aguero93:20]

I think Barca are a level below the Barca of last season, a team which was already showing that it wasn't quite up to the quality of Pep's team. Was interesting listening to Neville talking about our formation and that tie in particular. I got the impression that Neville himself has seen enough of Barca this season and last to know that this City team can beat them home and away.

The fact is reflected upon the Barca/PSG tie from last season I thought was bang on the money. Paris should've won that tie quite comfortably, and but not for the profligacy of Ibra, Lavezzi, and Pastore, they probably would've done.

I seem to remember Moura giving them all sorts of problems in one of those game. Hopefully Navas can have a similar impact but with end product.

In both games Ancelotti had two "sitters" in midfield (Matuidi and Beckham at the PdP and Matuidi and Verrati at the Camp Nou"), and then a front four of Ibra, Lavezzi, Pastore, and Moura. You're right Moura caused them all sorts of problems, but honestly all four of the forward players did and Paris were the better team over the two legs. The key as Neville pointed out was the work rate in particular of he two wide players (Lavezzi and Moura).

In the MNF analysis the one thing which I thought was wrong and unfair was the comments that our forwards don't/won't come back and help out the midfield. Neville and Carragher used the Munich home game as an example. Although it was a fair comment about that match in particular, more often than not the forwards do help the midfield out.

Personally I think that both at the Nou Camp and at the Etihad we should and will one up 4222 with Negredo and Kun (if they're both fit) starting both games. I've come round to the belief that regardless of the game and the opponent if the players are fit, we should play our preferred two striker formation. We're good enough to beat anyone playing it if we apply ourselves.

There's a reason they're scared of Navas in the nou camp.

 

[jollylescott]

I think Barca are a level below the Barca of last season, a team which was already showing that it wasn't quite up to the quality of Pep's team. Was interesting listening to Neville talking about our formation and that tie in particular. I got the impression that Neville himself has seen enough of Barca this season and last to know that this City team can beat them home and away.

The fact is reflected upon the Barca/PSG tie from last season I thought was bang on the money. Paris should've won that tie quite comfortably, and but not for the profligacy of Ibra, Lavezzi, and Pastore, they probably would've done.

I seem to remember Moura giving them all sorts of problems in one of those game. Hopefully Navas can have a similar impact but with end product.

In both games Ancelotti had two "sitters" in midfield (Matuidi and Beckham at the PdP and Matuidi and Verrati at the Camp Nou"), and then a front four of Ibra, Lavezzi, Pastore, and Moura. You're right Moura caused them all sorts of problems, but honestly all four of the forward players did and Paris were the better team over the two legs. The key as Neville pointed out was the work rate in particular of he two wide players (Lavezzi and Moura).

In the MNF analysis the one thing which I thought was wrong and unfair was the comments that our forwards don't/won't come back and help out the midfield. Neville and Carragher used the Munich home game as an example. Although it was a fair comment about that match in particular, more often than not the forwards do help the midfield out.

Personally I think that both at the Nou Camp and at the Etihad we should and will one up 4222 with Negredo and Kun (if they're both fit) starting both games. I've come round to the belief that regardless of the game and the opponent if the players are fit, we should play our preferred two striker formation. We're good enough to beat anyone playing it if we apply ourselves.

I have to say that is a brave call, and if Pellegrini plays 4-4-2 at the Nou Camp we will have to play without fear. If we go into our shells because we are playing Barca at the Nou Camp then we could be asking for trouble.

It's a cliche but in this forthcoming tie, and as we approach the business end of the season, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. If Pellegrini can keep us playing with confidence and self belief, then this team can achieve anything.

 

[markbmcfc]

It's a really difficult call and one i'm glad I don't have to make. It will be a big test of Pellegrini's balls I think, it must be extremely tempting to play Garcia in that hole and tell him to man mark Messi. The thought of us playing Ferna and Yaya and Messi dropping into that inevitable gaping hole, turning, then sprinting at our defence the way he does is pretty terrifying. If we can null that threat (easier said) we must have a fantastic chance, home and away.

If we do go with two in midfield, Vinny's performance will be vital. He likes to follow his man when he drops and hit him on his first touch. He will need to do that to Messi for nigh on 90 minutes.

It's a mouthwatering prospect that really could go either way. Whilst I agree with Neville to some extent, it is Messi we are talking about.

 

[sh249]

My instinct would have been to definitely go 4-2-2-2 at home - horses for courses then in the second leg depending on the result of the first. Nasri being out makes it a bit more tricky though - with Yaya and Fernandinho plus Silva and Nasri playing relatively narrow, we often end up with 4 relatively central which helps us dominate possession. With Navas it becomes more difficult - not because he doesn't work hard (he obviously runs his bollocks off) but because he's a proper wide man - him plus two strikers might leave us a bit exposed in the middle (as it did against Bayern).
On balance, I'd probably still go with it, and ask Silva to play narrow from the left. And in that case, it probably makes more sense to play Kolarov to give us width on that side, much as my gut would be to go with Clichy as a better defender.

--------------------Hart------------------------
Zaba---Kompany--Demichelis---Kolarov
----------------Yaya-----Fern-----------------
-Navas------------------------Silva---------------
---------------Aguero---Negredo---------------

Either way, some big decisions. And the discussion between Carragher and Neville was genuinely interesting. Fair play to the two of them.

 

[adrianr]

It's a really difficult call and one i'm glad I don't have to make. It will be a big test of Pellegrini's balls I think, it must be extremely tempting to play Garcia in that hole and tell him to man mark Messi. The thought of us playing Ferna and Yaya and Messi dropping into that inevitable gaping hole, turning, then sprinting at our defence the way he does is pretty terrifying. If we can null that threat (easier said) we must have a fantastic chance, home and away.

If we do go with two in midfield, Vinny's performance will be vital. He likes to follow his man when he drops and hit him on his first touch. He will need to do that to Messi for nigh on 90 minutes.

It's a mouthwatering prospect that really could go either way. Whilst I agree with Neville to some extent, it is Messi we are talking about.

He will be relishing the chance to go up against Messi, and it's in games like these that you get yourself into the FIFA team of the year and such, proper world wide recognition. He's going to need to put in a stormer but if there's anyone that can, it's Kompany.

 

[The Chief]

I know there's sometimes a need to tweak things but I've never been bothered with the concern around 4-4-2. I don't care if it's 'outdated', unfashionable or whatever. If it works for us and Pellegrini, why should we adapt it? As long as to a man everyone works hard, it's a successful system that provides goals and opens up games. Stick to our strengths and leave opposing teams to worry about our power, rather than vice-versa.

 

[OB1]

Barca this year are nowhere near the team they used to be... Bayern are a much more complete team and if we can beat them at there gaff then I don't see why we cant beat Barca... their defence is terrible but going forward they could destroy us.

I think Barca are a level below the Barca of last season, a team which was already showing that it wasn't quite up to the quality of Pep's team. Was interesting listening to Neville talking about our formation and that tie in particular. I got the impression that Neville himself has seen enough of Barca this season and last to know that this City team can beat them home and away.

The fact is reflected upon the Barca/PSG tie from last season I thought was bang on the money. Paris should've won that tie quite comfortably, and but not for the profligacy of Ibra, Lavezzi, and Pastore, they probably would've done.

I've only watched them once this season and they looked a bit brittle at the back. But Messi wasn't playing. My Dad watches them a lot and says the same as you: they are not the team they were. He thinks we will beat them.

I normally watch them a lot (my second team) but I missed several games in a row. They were definitely below par at the weekend away at Levante. Messi is way off his best at the moment but in a month...

We can definitely hurt them from corners and set pieces; if we get them. One big question will be how much possession can we get?

I still make Barca favourites for the tie and people should be very wary of underestimating them. However, IMO, they are presently a team in a slow decline from a very lofty position. Two years ago, I would have given us little chance of getting past them but now I think we have a fair chance of progressing. We could also get a very nasty shock.

As to formation, we have to go with 4-2-2-2 at home. More importantly at this point, we have several important domestic games to play.<br /><br />-- Tue Jan 21, 2014 11:43 am --<br /><br />

I know there's sometimes a need to tweak things but I've never been bothered with the concern around 4-4-2. I don't care if it's 'outdated', unfashionable or whatever. If it works for us and Pellegrini, why should we adapt it? As long as to a man everyone works hard, it's a successful system that provides goals and opens up games. Stick to our strengths and leave opposing teams to worry about our power, rather than vice-versa.

The basic formation is meant to be 4-2-2-2 but without getting hung up on the numbers, the way Pellegrini sets his team up is not outdated: we are not playing what I would view as a traditional 4-4-2, like the one United started with in the Derby that we ripped to pieces.

 

[silvasleftleg]

Well four in midfield made us look like chumps against Bayern, it was the main reason we lost and never saw the ball. Five in midfield was used to great affect when we beat them away Garcia's pace wasn't a problem as he just acted as a sweeper for the midfield it was one of the three main reasons we won that night (the other two were the phenomenal work rate of the players and the fact Bayern switched off at 2-0 up and couldn't get themselves back up for it).

But we've become accustomed to four in midfield for most of the season and it would be a shame if we can't go and use it, especially at home. But it could end up being the reason we go out to Barcelona in the end as we don't have enough mobile players in the squad to play a 4 against an elite side really. You need to control the midfield to win big games and i think Barcelona would find it easy to find space to be passed the ball in and keep possession due to the extra space and time on the ball because of fewer numbers and less effective closing down by slower players on our side.

Difficult decision for the boss.

Not really, I wouldn't say Silva played in midfield in Munich.

442 is a really effective way to defend if done properly and I suspect we'll go with 2 strikers at home, if we're going to change it will be away.

He was a second striker. Scored the first goal. But he also dropped deep to give us that extra man in midfield.

This is how our formation looked like without the ball: