Shakhtar Donetsk (a) pre-match thread

[mancity1]

Probably the missing part in the complete jigsaw for Pep while he is here so you expect a focus this year to win the trophy and quite likely given we haven't replaced VK with a true leader like he was and are somewhat dodgy in the back until January at least where we might have to bring in reinforcements.

Its never easy to win 3 leagues titles in a row especially on the back of the way we won the last two so you would expect a drop off in intensity and results like Norwich are not such a surprise albeit we have to keep them to a minimum if we are to be in the title hunt this season.

I suspect Liverpool will finally break through this season but falter in Europe and we have a decent chance to win the Chumps League this season remembering Liverpool won it last season losing all three of their away games.

 

[mikemcfc]

Draw for me, seems when things go wrong like at Norwich we tend to have a couple of iffy games until normality is resumed
Hope im wrong CTID

+1

 

[mikemcfc]

Played 7 won 7, scored 23 conceded 6 but bear in mind what league they play in.

Could be a tight start but I feel we'll win comfy, by at least 2 goals & more if we have a point to prove.

said Horatio Nelson

 

[Dax777]

Ederson
Cancelo
Stones
Fernandinho
Mendy
Rodrigo
De Bruyne
Bernado
Mahrez
Sterling
Gabriel

 

[City_Sean]

Ederson
Cancelo
Ferna
Otamendi
Mendy
Rodri
KDB
Foden
Mahrez
Aguero
Sterling

 

[brummie blue]

Lots of people throwing Mendy in, he hasn't touched the subs bench yet, never mind been near a starting line up, be surprised if he starts a game away in the Ukraine.

 

[Father Paul]

Lots of people throwing Mendy in, he hasn't touched the subs bench yet, never mind been near a starting line up, be surprised if he starts a game away in the Ukraine.

I would be surprised if he travels over there.

 

[Marvin]

Just get through the game without a damaging defeat. Teamwork and morale needs to be rebuilt.

The defeat at Norwich feels different to other defeats. It feels like City have developed a weakness and there's no easy solution.

 

[leo_city]

Just get through the game without a damaging defeat. Teamwork and morale needs to be rebuilt.

The defeat at Norwich feels different to other defeats. It feels like City have developed a weakness and there's no easy solution.

Nah, a lot of it has been overreaction. The only (obvious) weakness City have is defending from set pieces. One of mistakes are usually marked off, but having Stones and Otamendi as a partnership in 2019 doesn't help either, neither are good enough to be playing for City in 2019, no matter how much people have convinced themselves of it.

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

Nah, a lot of it has been overreaction. The only (obvious) weakness City have is defending from set pieces. One of mistakes are usually marked off, but having Stones and Otamendi as a partnership in 2019 doesn't help either, neither are good enough to be playing for City in 2019, no matter how much people have convinced themselves of it.

I think that's a harsh assessment. I think both of them play better with a talker and organiser. As a partnership there are flaws but with an experienced head I think both are strong player who've made a big contribution to our recent successes. I've been surprised not to see Ferna more this season: perhaps his "how to become a CB" course is ongoing and him playing with one of them, or both as a 3, is a live option for me.