Terzic is going with the following 11: Hitz Morey Akanji Hummels Guerreiro Bellingham Can Dahoud Knauff Haaland Reus I like Can as a DM and thankfully he has Guerreiro as LB this time. Knauff is getting rewarded for his good showing recently but is this the right game to give him his first start?
You beat me to it I like that midfield: A good balance of strength, effort, technique and creativity. It's enabled by the return of Akanji to the back, enabling Can to play the 6 role. Akanji needs to be good today. I am not too hopeful for a win. But I will be happy if we play with passion and without fear. Anything can happen then.
A win is unlikely, however this team at least has some more attacking threat. A high scoring game, something like 2-2 or a 2-3 defeat is the best chance imo. Basically stay in the tie for the second leg. The team needs to fight hard and be clinical on the counter
Yea can provides much-needed stability as a DF and is capable with the ball at his feet. We will need his and Bellingham's workrate to shine today if we want any hope of getting anything out of this game.
I am glad to see Knauff, Morey and Raphael starting where they should be. I am content with Can being moved into the middle. We will see how Bellingham does.
Bellingham may be extra motivated to be playing in England. He does need to mature very fast today --especially with the ball at his feet. Knauff is a gamble, but one that I like.
Yes I like Knauff and as I said, I watched the Frankfurt game. Hazard was truly atrocious. I am amazed he lasted past half time. Let's go and get a result today.
wait a second.... could this be 3 in the back??? I will be very angry at Terzic if it is. Anyways.. can't watch the game live.. see you guys much later!
I think this could be a back 3 again but at least the Morey/Guerreiro FB combo is better for the offense. Edit: Dahoud+Bellingham midfield seems very risky. Now I actually hope that Can is in midfield.
Interesting lineup, probably our best one available with respect to ball retention at the moment. City will have the bulk of possession, but it's important to take good care of the ball when we get it back and not gift it back easily.
A good Var decision for us. What a clown, doesn't get hit and holds his face while fully being aware of the existence of VAR.
That should have been a goal for us. Bellingham hit the ball first... Wtf, there is VAR, the ref could have waited 2 seconds. Every ref does that in offside situations. Absolutely a stolen goal.
All in all, I am satisfied with the display so far. We are patiently looking for our opportunities and are playing compact as a team.
Adding insult to injury, both yellow cards for us as a result of wrong decisions by the ref. If Can got it for complaining about it, he should have just waited for VAR though. 1:0 for City at half-time. Not too bad I guess but I think ManCity could be much better.