Sporting CP (A) - CL Last 16 - Tue 15th Feb, 20:00 - Pre-Match Thread

[Ric]

Think the guaranteed starters are:

Ederson
Cancelo
Dias
Laporte
Rodri
Bernardo
De Bruyne
Sterling
Mahrez

The two remaining slots up for grabs are between Stones/Zinchenko, and Gundogan/Foden imo.

 

[Northblue]

Not an easy game and a draw isn’t a terrible result, but we should try to win. The nasty asshole João Palhinha who injured KdB in the Euros will be playing. He played a game against Porto yesterday and received a red card for violent conduct. They rested quite a few players yesterday and had an extra day. Also have a young and brilliant manager. Don’t anyone kid themselves, it will be a difficult game. I’m a little concerned about playing a lot of Portuguese players against a Portuguese team in Portugal

All our Portuguese players (and ederson) were benfica lads, hopefully should be up for it

 

[vmsuhail]

Agreed. I've watched them a fair bit since the draw was announced and I have to say that they've far exceeded my expectations. Will be a tough match no doubt.

Resting Rodri, KDB and Cancelo yesterday shows Pep is not taking this match lightly.

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Cancelo
Dias
Laporte
Zinchenko
Rodri
De Bruyne
Bernardo Silva
Gundogan
Foden
Sterling

 

[SerbianBlue]

Really happy how we manged to win at Carrow Road. Hope Sterling form continue into UCL final matches. One thing - we look as stable as fuckk. I think we're the most organised club in the world by far - extendind those first team contracts, mentoring those young talents, just to solve our striker (or "false nine") position and we're ready to dominate every competition and start to chase those 3rd arsenal spot with 13pl titles. All this smells like Pep's establishing the dynasty.
Let's take step by step and see you in St.Petersburg in May.
COME ON CITY!

 

[Alcatraz]

Think the guaranteed starters are:

Ederson
Cancelo
Dias
Laporte
Rodri
Bernardo
De Bruyne
Sterling
Mahrez

The two remaining slots up for grabs are between Stones/Zinchenko, and Gundogan/Foden imo.

Given the experiment last week , my thought is it will be Stones at RB and Cancelo @ LB …

 

[Rammy Blue]

Think the guaranteed starters are:

Ederson
Cancelo
Dias
Laporte
Rodri
Bernardo
De Bruyne
Sterling
Mahrez

The two remaining slots up for grabs are between Stones/Zinchenko, and Gundogan/Foden imo.

Personally, and we will see on Tuesday, but I think it’s one of the most predictable 11’s I’ve ever seen with Pep.

It will be your 9, with Stones and Foden - Gundo playing full 90 yesterday added to John sitting the game out makes it a near certainty for me.

 

[Blue Theatre]

It's tempting to think that away games in Europe are really difficult, and home games easy - but our record home & away in Europe hasn't been any different for a while now, in Europe or domestically. Some of our worst domestic results have actually been at home.

So definitely think we'll go for it & should win. Referee allowing, of course - there are some strange ones in Europe.

 

[LongsightM13]

Personally, and we will see on Tuesday, but I think it’s one of the most predictable 11’s I’ve ever seen with Pep.

It will be your 9, with Stones and Foden - Gundo playing full 90 yesterday added to John sitting the game out makes it a near certainty for me.

Pep almost always picks Gundo for big European aways I think?

 

[asahartford1]

It's tempting to think that away games in Europe are really difficult, and home games easy - but our record home & away in Europe hasn't been any different for a while now, in Europe or domestically. Some of our worst domestic results have actually been at home.

So definitely think we'll go for it & should win. Referee allowing, of course - there are some strange ones in Europe.

Some strange ones in England too -:)

 

[Georgian Maestro]

I'm in London on Tuesday. Can anyone recommend a pub near Fleet street to watch the match? Cheers

 

[Rammy Blue]

Pep almost always picks Gundo for big European aways I think?

Don’t think he will this time though, but I know what you mean.

 

[Zinchilla]

Not an easy game and a draw isn’t a terrible result, but we should try to win. The nasty asshole João Palhinha who injured KdB in the Euros will be playing. He played a game against Porto yesterday and received a red card for violent conduct. They rested quite a few players yesterday and had an extra day. Also have a young and brilliant manager. Don’t anyone kid themselves, it will be a difficult game. I’m a little concerned about playing a lot of Portuguese players against a Portuguese team in Portugal

Agree, it’ll be an interesting match, not the easy gig made out by the English media. They play three at the back and will cede possession to then hit on the break, trying to disrupt our rhythm with players like Palhinha. Just glad the first leg is at their place as they may be less defensive. Think the Brentford game was an ideal rehearsal and then the resting of stones, rodri, Laporte and cancelo yesterday so important.

 

[LongsightM13]

I'm in London on Tuesday. Can anyone recommend a pub near Fleet street to watch the match? Cheers

Philomena’s in Convent Garden

 

[berryblue]

I've just found 60 euro's in a wallet in my drawer... Happy days !!!

Are you only going boozing one night. ;-)

 

[Legal Alien]

................Ederson..................
Stones.....Dias (c).....Laporte
..................Rodri.....................
Bernardo...................Cancelo
...................KDB......................
Mahrez.....Foden.......Sterling

2-1 to us (Mahrez, KDB)

 

[chaddblue]

When will we hear about Walkers appeal?

 

[blue b4 the moon]

When will we hear about Walkers appeal?

Doesn't really matter yet as even if reduced, it's without doubt a red, he'd therefore, not play on Tuesday anyway.

 

[chaddblue]

Doesn't really matter yet as even if reduced, it's without doubt a red, he'd therefore, not play on Tuesday anyway.

If in the unlikely event it was reduced to 1 it may influence the team selection knowing he would be available for the 2nd leg

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

These will test us. Need our shooting boots on