On the bench: Your City team to duel Dortmund! ⚔️XI | Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Rodrigo, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Mahrez, De Bruyne (C)SUBS | Steffen, Trafford, Ake, Sterling, Jesus, Aguero, Zinchenko, Laporte, Torres, Mendy, Fernandinho, Garcia🔷 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/x2ITGJURvv— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 6, 2021
Steffen had a chance to see the field today because of Ederson's blunder that the ref whistled away. A red card wasn't the most likely outcome for Ederson, but it was definitely a possible outcome.
I wonder if Pep would consider giving Steffen Saturday's PL game v Leeds, partly to give Ederson a break before the CL second leg at Dortmund on Wednesday, and partly to tune up Steffen for the FA Cup semifinal @ Chelsea the following Saturday. Maybe I'm giving Pep too much credit, but the Leeds game itself is pretty inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.
The problem with being a #2 goalie is that there is really little need to rotate the position like the field spots. A little psychological rest now and then is nice, but plenty of teams never make a sub back there baring injury. Zach's lucky he's gotten as many games as he has.
Leeds are #7 in goals scored, so it could be an important assignment. I think he'll only play in the league is if they think one of those knocks Ederson took could use a rest, or after they clinch, but I'd like to be surprised.
He plays at a huge club so they can rest the no.1 for important games/competitions but you're def right. I wouldn't have figured he'd have 10 games this season.
Goal attempts: Manchester City 29-2 Leeds United Goals: Manchester City 1-2 Leeds United This loss could delay the possibility of Steffen getting another Premier League match for a week or two. We'll see if Steffen retains his starting spot in cup competitions for the FA Cup semifinal on April 17 and the League Cup final on April 25.
I think it's all up in the air. I think for Steffen, the key item will be hoping that City advance past Dortmund in Champions League. My thinking is that if City make the CL semifinals, then there is less of a possibility of Pep being tempted to use Ederson for the other cup finals.
Time to pick up the pace around here - we've got a big game to play on Saturday. Or do we? Two trains are on a collision course. First, Pep et al want to win four competitions: the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, EFL Cup. Playing Ederson in every game from here on out might give the team the best chance to win. But Pep may (should) want to keep the faith with Steffen, who has performed well enough in his starts thus far. Pep should also want Steffen sharp enough to step in for Ederson at any moment should that ever become necessary. Relevant to Steffen: the EFL Cup is down to one game; the FA Cup is down to two games; the Premier League should be clinched several games before the final match. Possible starts (bolded): Saturday 4/17 FA Cup Semifinal v Chelsea @ Wembley Wednesday 4/21 PL @ Aston Villa Sunday 4/25 EFL Cup Final v Tottenham @ Wembley Wednesday 4/28 CL @ PSG Saturday 5/1 PL @ Crystal Palace Tuesday 5/4 CL v PSG Saturday 5/8 PL v Chelsea Wednesday 5/12 PL @ Newcastle Saturday 5/15 FA Cup Final v Leicester City or Southampton @ Wembley Wednesday 5/19 (rescheduled from 5/15?) PL @ Brighton Sunday 5/23 PL v Everton {but Ederson might want a tune-up match} Saturday 5/29 CL Final in Istanbul (Sunday 5/30 USA @ Switzerland) Scenarios: Best case: Steffen starts all the bolded games, and more if Man City clinches the PL even earlier. Worst (reasonable) case: Steffen does not start again in a game that matters - only starts PL games after Man City clinches. Most likely case: Steffen starts on Saturday. If he plays confidently and well, and the team advances, he continues playing (in the EFL Cup Final, where his play will again be reviewed). If City does not advance Saturday, then Steffen might get 'pulled' for the EFL Cup Final, even if Steffen was not responsible for the FA Cup loss. Also possible: I would talk to both keepers, and consider giving all the remaining 4-6 Cup games to Ederson, but (as compensation) give the remaining 6 PL games to Steffen, trusting the team not to collapse around him. That would keep Ederson fresh for the decisive Cup games and might give the team the best chance of winning all four trophies.
do goalies usually get sub minutes in decided matches to secure medals for presumptive title winners? asking for steffen who otherwise seems like he will not be getting one?
Steffen has played in all four competitions, so I would be surprised if he was shut out of any of the (prospective) medals. The third keeper (Carson) would have a much weaker argument, but I don't know how many medals they have to go around.
Gonna start tomorrow: Zak Steffen in goal for City tomorrow #MCFC “ If I don’t play him I lose the team and it’s better to lose the game than lose the team.” Pep Guardiola - who went on to say he has the utmost confidence in him.— Sam Matterface (@sammatterface) April 16, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/spor...8fd5f8-9efc-11eb-b2f5-7d2f0182750d_story.html Zack Steffen has backstopped Manchester City’s FA Cup run so far, and manager Pep Guardiola doesn’t see that changing in the semifinals against Chelsea on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. “We trust him a lot. That’s why he’s here,” Guardiola said Friday. Would Guardiola be tempted to switch to first-choice keeper Ederson now that a trophy is within sight? Not likely. “If (Saturday) Zack doesn’t play, I’m going to lose the team,” Guardiola said. “It’s better to lose a game than lose a team. He’s played really well in the FA Cup, he’s the keeper for the USA national team. “He’s training good and he deserves it.”
This is like a switch/train question... Zack Steffen will start in goal for Manchester City on Saturday in #FACup semifinal action against Christian Pulisic and Chelsea. #USMNT https://t.co/NaN5SmMxPE— SBI Soccer (@SBISoccer) April 16, 2021
Powerful words. Steffen needs to have 1 hell of a performance. In pretty much all of his matches, he's been decent with little to do since the defense is so air-tight. Dude needs to get eyeballs on his skills. Hope it's enough that he'll have more of a shot to win more games next season.
talk about damning with faint praise .... yes I get it that Ederson is better than Zack but wow what a way to put pressure on Zack, tell your squad you support their preference, but also lay out a path to blame someone if you lose the match. Yes I have utmost confidence in you but don't try and use your feet like Ederson because he is class with his feet and you are a donkey. Why does he need to say that publicly .. just say "Zach is my first choice for this key match - I have every confidence he will put in a great performance" and leave it at that.