Getting beat.
Getting beat.
There is a thread on bluemoon about Kompany's plea for fans to bring the noise. I'm expecting this to sound like a home game for us - we've got some belting tunes at the moment and morale in the supporters couldn't be higher. Early goal and we can kill the crowd, as well as their team.
I dont think Guardiola will play an open attacking style against us. We murdered them on the counter last year by committing numbers forward and they were unable to cope. He clearly adjusted to a more controlled approach against us earlier in the season and I suspect he will do the same again.
On the downside i think they will be harder to beat as they will focus on neutralising our threat rather than going toe to toe. On the upside that means sacrificing their natural attacking game and they need to win not us, so it may be easier to frustrate them and take a point which would be a great result.
Putting the 10 vs 11 game aside, when was the last time they dominated us?I expect them to dominate the game from the off but hopefully we can spring something and our defence hoods firm
The one when Jovetic scored twice.Putting the 10 vs 11 game aside, when was the last time they dominated us?
I assume they respect the left side of our defence with VVD and Robbo more than right side. I think we will see They try to take us on down that side. Maybe a game for Milner to offer additional protection on the right side if fit. Right wing instead of Shaq. Wijnaldum and Fabinho up against their midfield as well with Firmino as 10 and Mane out left. No wonder Pep decide to shave his head so we can't witness him turning grey of worry bout that line up.
Guardiolas system is all about drawing opposing players out of position into space creating situations where they are out numbered and easily overlapped or bypassed by a slick one two or a runner in between the lines. The way to counter this is by pressing intelligently in packs rather than ones or twos.
The long diagnol ball from VVD or Allison to the wings gives us a weapon that few teams can replicate without having a CM drop very deep to act as a QB. A direct accurate threat that isolates the fullbacks and allows a rapid transition from defence to attack bypassing the lines in midfield, I suspect this is where the battle will be won or lost. City, like us, thrive on getting the fullbacks wide and high up the pitch to provide additional attacking options.
Guardiola wont want to sacrifice the fullback attacking contribution so I expect they will try and press VVD and Allison whenever they are in posession. If they are successful this will nullify one of our best outlets and force us to hit rushed passes or play through the middle where they can crowd us out. If we can remain composed, vary our attack so that we can use that press to create the sort of holes in the centre of the pitch to that they normally use to play neat triangles through the midfield. If we can do that I think Guardiola will abandon the high press and we will cut off their fullbacks charge which makes Sane and Sterling much easier to defend.
Fabinho vs Fernandinho. Gonna be an interesting one.
Hope our lad isn't the one to get an early booking.
In terms of protecting our right side (and specifically TAA vs Sane, Aguero and Silva - who will all roam there) Milner is far superior to Hendo since he has that extra experience of playing RB. Fabs and Gini can handle centre mid. I don't see the need for Hendo in this game.Missed that bit, Gini's a must for me, one of the best in the squad for getting the ball and turning in midfield. Fabs is a must because I think he's both superior in the holding role to Hendo, and he makes a Hendo a better play being there, sorry Milner.
Can't wait for Big Virg to choke slam Aguero.