They're better on the counter now than they have been for a long time and they've fucked us on the counter for a while. It's a concern. They'll play 5 at the back 2 sitting and play long balls down the channels for their front 3 which will cause us problems. We need the intensity from the front and if we get ourselves infront, we cannot sit on it, we bsolutely have to go for the kill. First top opposition we've played this season, really need to win and set a marker down. A defeat could see us end the weekend behind United after an easier start.
If walker and stones are unavailable I think the back 4 is cancelo dias ake akanji, leaning towards ake left back cancelo right back but could easily have ake central with dias, cancelo left and akanji right. Too much for Gomez to start.
Bernardo has to be central to help cut out the counter potential with Rodri and kdb. Front 3 of Haaland Alvarez and Foden is our best current option.