Napoli (Away) Pre Match Thread

[Withnail]

Very difficult game and would definitely take a draw.
I would play Kev and D Silva against Napoli and B Silva and Ilkay against the Arse.

We will need to be on our A game to get a result but we can definitely cause them problems as we saw from the first 35 mins at our place.

 

[Marvin]

Surprised to see so many posters have David and De bruyne in their starting line ups.

They both played 90 min on Saturday vs Burnley. Next up is Wednesday against Napoli away and Sunday against Arsenal at home.

Does everyone really expect David and Kevin to start all 3 games????

I am expecting at least one of the them to be rested but would prefer both.

Gundogan and Bernardo are not really downgrades and they both need game time.

Napoli will make 2 changes to their midfield 3 and starting Kevin and David means we are likely to lose. I would be very surprised if Pep doesn’t see them but I expect he will.

It's not ideal for them to start 3 games in 9 days, but the WBA game was easy, and these are some of the big games of the season where we have to play our strongest side. If there was nothing in it between KDB, David Silva, Gundogan and B.Silva then I'd agree with you, but I do think there is quite a bit of difference at the moment, and the Wolves game is my evidence for that. You might be right of course. All opinion.

 

[Big Dave Watson]

Could be a long night if we don't score first.

Are you Big Dave Watson?

 

[Easy]

In what universe would you think playing 2 of our best players would mean we would lose? this is one of our hardest games so far this season and you don't leave out kev and dave if they are fit

Fernandinho (32), David Silva (31), and De Bruyne (26) all of which played 90 min on Saturday will come up against Diawara (20), Zielinski (23) and Hamsik (30). Diawara did not play at all on Saturday, Zielinski played 27 minutes and Hamsik played 67 minutes.

Their fitness levels will be much much higher. One of Kevin or David absolutely must be rested. Ideally both.

Not only will their fitness levels be lower but this match will use up a lot of everyone’s energy.

It’s not only about the next game. Arsenal at home is massive and they will rest all their important players in the Europa League. If Pep doesn’t rotate I won’t be surprised if we lose both.

But Pep knows what to do. Most likely well see Gundogan and De Bruyne start with Kevin being subbed off.

 

[Easy]

It's not ideal for them to start 3 games in 9 days, but the WBA game was easy, and these are some of the big games of the season where we have to play our strongest side. If there was nothing in it between KDB, David Silva, Gundogan and B.Silva then I'd agree with you, but I do think there is quite a bit of difference at the moment, and the Wolves game is my evidence for that. You might be right of course. All opinion.

There will be a small drop off if any if Gundogan starts instead of David. Bernardo is not yet up to speed so there is a larger drop off with him.

Starting Bernardo and Gundogan is too big of a change. Napoli can do it as they have been doing so for a whole season at least.

I think Pep will go with De Bruyne and Gundogan and then take off De Bruyne for Bernardo in the second half.

 

[lastmanback]

Napoli game is more important to win than the arsenal game. Beat Napoli we are into last 16. Two games to rest players. Lose to arse we've 27 games to go, no problem.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Ederson
Walker
Otamendi
Stones
Delph
Gundogan
Silva
De Bruyne
Sterling
Aguero
Sane

If Ferna is fit, he plays. However, I might swap Silva for him, and keep Gundogan in midfield for some strength. Conversely, keep Silva and lose one of Sané or Sterling from the starting line up.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Very difficult game and would definitely take a draw.
I would play Kev and D Silva against Napoli and B Silva and Ilkay against the Arse.

We will need to be on our A game to get a result but we can definitely cause them problems as we saw from the first 35 mins at our place.

Not a chance they both get dropped for Arse.

This is the “game every 3 Days” hetalks about, and they even have the extra day, because Arse play Thursday night.

He plays his strongest team for BOTH games before the break. Only tweak might be a little more defensive steel in the middle of the park for the Napoli game.

 

[rnblade]

This is probably going to be our first defeat. Napoli will be going all out to beat us, hopefully we can be strong and catch them out. If we fail to convert our chances, it could be our downfall. It will be interesting to see what team Pep decides to play, and how he is viewing the game v Gunners.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

This is probably going to be our first defeat. Napoli will be going all out to beat us, hopefully we can be strong and catch them out. If we fail to convert our chances, it could be our downfall. It will be interesting to see what team Pep decides to play, and how he is viewing the game v Gunners.

The score after 60 minutes may be telling on the sub situation.