Villarreal v City Pre match Discussion thread

[DenisLawBackHeel74]

Re: I just hope

Same team that smashed the rags please...

 

[toffee balls]

Re: I just hope

dont get too giddy.
1-0 last minute winner will do the job....

 

[MCFC BOB]

Finally got round to doing my full preview.

Read all match reviews and previews here: <a class="postlink" href="http://bluetintedspecs.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://bluetintedspecs.blogspot.com/</a>

VILLAREAL - MANCHESTER CITY, PREVIEW.
__________________________________________________________________
October was a fantastic month for us, so it's a shame to say goodbye. We played some of our best football against some of the league's trickier sides, progressed in the League Cup and we thumped Manchester United in one of the most eagerly anticipated Manchester derbies of recent times. We head into November, and our first opponents this month are Spanish strugglers Villareal.

Villareal sit bottom of Group A, and if they lose tonight they're out of the competition. They're missing Rossi, Cani, Zapata, Senna and Nilmar, which is like City losing Aguero, Silva, de Jong, Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri. Their squad is down to the bare bones currently, and just when everything seemed to be going against them, things got a little worse when they looked down the fixture list and saw us.

No matter what happens in the game between Bayern and Napoli tonight, we need this win more than ever if we want to progress to the next round. What gives me hope, is that whenever Villareal came forward in their 2-1 loss at City everything seemed to be created through Rossi, but tonight he won't be playing, so I don't see where their attacking threat is going to come from.

Vincent Kompany is eligible to play as his suspension only applies in English league and League Cup games, so I expect him to start at the back alongside either Joleon Lescott or Kolo Toure. And after being given a rest on Saturday, I expect Clichy and Milner to start ahead of Nasri and Kolarov to increase workrate.

Despite their injuries, I'm not expecting Villareal to roll over and say "alright, you can hav six goals" because we all know football does not work like that. El Madrigal is horrid place to visit because of its hostilityand intimidating nature, so Villareal will be using those strengths against us in a bid to take the three points.

If we lose tonight, we're probably going out. Napoli win and they head on to 8 points, while we'd be stuck on 4 and in desperate need of a Villareal win in Munich in two weeks time. A win is a must tonight if we are to progress, and here is the team I'm trusting to get us just that:

Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott (or Kolo Toure), Clichy; Milner, de Jong, Yaya Toure; Silva, Dzeko, Balotelli.

 

[Matt the Giant]

Feeling really confident for a change... so I'm gong with a very powerful and fearsome performance from the lads, 4-0. Aguero x 2, one each for Silva and Milner.

Silva gets 3 assists by the way. ;)

 

[Matt the Giant]

Re: I just hope

I think we will go at them right from the start, we'll get an early lead and then we will keep on going. Tonight we will show the world that Manchester City is indeed ready for champions league.

 

[MC ID]

I feel confident and I have faith in our team, Wolves and Everton have showed me we can still get good wins even if we play against a team truely dug in or not to our full capacity which at times feels boundless.

I hope tonight we show europe why Manchester City is a club to dread playing against :)

 

[Damanino]

We have been behind in all our CL matches, tonight we really shoud score the first goal.

And our conceded goals came from amateur mistakes, like Barry losing ball in midfield or Silva/NDJ cant make a pass or Hart can't save and hits the ball right in front of the opponent.

I want a clean sheet today, they have no Rossi, Nilmar, Cani. Their best attacking players on paper.

 

[Džeko]

Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, de Jong, Yaya Toure; Silva, Dzeko, Balotelli.

 

[pudge]

Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy; Milner, de Jong, Yaya Toure; Silva, Dzeko, Balotelli.

Swap Aguero for Dzeko and i think that'll be the team.

 

[coulsonblue]

Hart
Richards Kompany Lescott Kolarov
Milner De Jong Yaya
Silva Aguero Balotelli

I have an inclination that he will stick with Kolarov as he feels he is in good form, and bring Clichy in for QPR.

Also Richards, because of Villarreal's high line that we need to get in behind and Richards plays far higher up than Zabaleta.

We also know that Mancini will go for De Jong for greater solidity and Milner at the expense of Nasri.

Milner earned "first choice" status in the home leg and derby games, and has been rested specifically for tonight.

Yaya will play higher up the pitch, hopefully creating space for Silva, who will struggle for space with high defensive line and deep supporting midfield.