You are free to deny this and keep on wondering why EPL clubs keep on failing in the CL year after year despite importing foreign coaches and vast financial superiority. It's neither a Pep nor a training problem.
Water cooler discussion about this match this morning, we decided only Clyne from our XI would start in their XI. Mane, Coutinho, Firmino may make their bench. As a matter of pedigree, ruh roh! But the game isn't decided on pedigree. It's decide on performance. I think we can, and we will, snatch these points.
City got to the semi final last season, most of the players they want goto Madrid, Bayern, Barca and PSG Pray tell whats PSG's excuse? And the finances stretch not as far in the EPL as they do abroad
There was argument on this, depending on the formation. When Citeh attack as a 4-5-1, the Sterling/Sane flanks were preferred, although by most accounts I would rather have Mane than Sterling down the right. The argument was that if the backs are pushing up, Pep would prefer a more technical player like Silva over more speed like Mane.
Coutinho is a more technical player than Sane, isn't he? More goals, more assists. He's not exactly slow.
Caballero Clyne Matip Otamendi Milner Hendo Gini DeBruyne Mane Coutinho Aguero Bench: Mings, Lovren , Silva, Fernandinho, Firmino, Sterling, Sane Notably left out from Citeh: Bravo, Sagna, Zabaleta, Stones, Kolarov, Clichy, Otamendi, Toure, Navas, Kompany. I can understand the arguments for Silva, Sterling, and Sane to start, but Cout is currently better than Silva or Sterling and Mane has shown more end product than Sane (though, to be fair, the kid has the potential to be one of the top players in the world). Citeh's squad is ANCIENT and full of holes - their youth in the attacking positions blew teams away early on, but as that enthusiasm has faded, so has their air of invincibility. They have 7 players with expiring contracts this summer - and they also have Silva/Fernandinho/Otamendi all at 30+. This is a team with a lot of warts that have been covered up by individual attacking brilliance. We have a couple holes in our squad to plug (LB, CB, a top quality 3rd wide attacking player, a 4th CM) but they are going to have to spend 150m to address the issues in their squad (both fullbacks and cover for those fullbacks, CB, 1-2 CM, 1-2 players as depth in the attacking positions).
big day, Sunday. 4 of the top 5 teams in action within a few hours. Manure almost nailed on for 3 points (unless managerless Boro can do a Leicester on them but I can't see it happening). let's hope the Arse blow it vs West Brom tomorrow.
very far-fetched scenario below. I mean - Manure winning the Europa? gimme a break .... There is a nightmare scenario for the Reds in which they could finish fourth and end up in the Europa League next season. It’s unlikely but still possible nevertheless. How? Well, under UEFA rules, the maximum number of teams any country can have playing in the Champions League is five. Manchester United are the bookies’ favourites to win the Europa League and if they achieve that they are guaranteed the prize of a Champions League spot. If United finish outside the top four and lift the trophy, they would be the Premier League’s fifth representative. If United finish inside the top four and lift the trophy, the Champions League place would not drop down to the fifth placed side. Where it would get complicated is if Leicester City’s remarkable European fairytale takes them all the way to Cardiff on June 3. The Foxes are England’s sole representatives left in the Champions League after stunning Sevilla to reach the quarter-finals this week. If Leicester were to win the Champions League – coupled with United winning the Europa League – then they would both qualify for next season’s competition at the expense of the Premier League’s fourth placed club. Improbable? Yes. Leicester are the 40/1 outsiders for European glory but then again they were 5000/1 shots for the Premier League title.....
I'm not allowed to gamble as a condition of my parole, but I would be willing to take bets and give odds that Leicester won't get past their next opponent. The Foxes drew maybe the best possible side in Atletico, seeing as how they just vanquished Sevilla, who are above Atletico in the table. The other teams in the quarters, with the exception of Dortmund are in the top 2 in their respective leagues.
Some good results for us this weekend but all that will be in vain if we don't get the all important one tomorrow.
So -BIG game tomorrow...I just hope we continue to outplay and beat the top teams...three points would be awesome! Looks like BS will be 'upgrading'...so we may not have the commentary, just win baby!
What a wasteful bunch we are! At 1-0, Firmino had a great chance to make it 2-0. Then that Lallana miss-- only he knows how failed to score. Although Agüero for City was equally slovenly. I must say, against tired legs I was disappointed by Origi. Feels like 2 points dropped and then 1 point gained. Mad game.