Just over 72
hours after the final whilst blew in London, we host Northern Italian side Atalanta B.C.
With less than
10 hours to go, I’ll get straight to it…
v Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio
 |
| Etihad Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct
from starting line-up in the last game: A lowly 6/11, after Pep sprang a surprise
or 3 on me against Palace at the weekend).
Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:
____________________Aguero___________________
___________________Gundogan___________________
_________Fernandinho_________Rodri_____________
____________________Ederson____________________
Some ‘go agains’ and some rotation from last weekend's match, I would suggest
with this quick-game-turn-around…
Ederson the obvious starter in net – and what an excellent performance
from him at the weekend (I was so proud of the team
as a whole, in fact)!
With John Stones available and me-questioning myself in mi-own-’ead
as-to-whether Fernandinho could play 2 games in such a short space of time; I
recalled that he looked ‘fit as a butcher’s dog’ on Saturday and despite a late
rally from the home side, where he and his colleagues had to be sharp and ‘right
on it’ to the very end; I’m going for Pep to ask him and the whole same-set of
defenders to ‘remain a unit’ for tonight’s match. I think that decision, should
it be the case of course, would come with big thoughts on the fact that
Benjamin, Fernandinho, Rodders & Joao bring a massive amounts of Champions League experience.
Speaking of which, I suspect that Ilkay will be asked to play the
deeper-midfield role again too, ahead of those 4.
Raheem on the left of attack and I think we’ll see Riyad being given a
start on the opposite flank, despite a very good performance from Bernardo in
that same slot last Saturday. Kevin & David highly likely to pair again in
the middle, although I also had wobbles regarding David’s recovery time. If he & Kevin DO start and the scoreline allows, I can see both
being withdrawn at some point to rest / protect ahead of the early KO on
Saturday; a game that will be the 2nd of a 4-game home-fixture run!
Sergio to nudge Jesus aside for this one, I suspect.
Claudio as ‘back up’ to Ed; Oleksandr, Eric & John the defensive
replacement options from the side. Phil, Bernardo & Gabriel make up the
more attacking change-options from ‘the 7’.
Notable
absences:
- Kyle Walker – On his way back / in progressive
training following a stomach bug that has apparently left him thinner, weaker
and not match-fit-ready.
- Nicholas Otamendi – Recovering also from ‘a
knock’, which I’m assuming he received on international duty or during training
after he returned.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Yeah, looks good to
me.
Result?
Well, here’s what I know about ‘the oppo’:
-
They are the league’s current, top
scorers (a little more on that in a second), however…
-
…they have the leakiest defence of the
top 15 (out of 20) sides, with 13 conceded in 8 games. In fact, they impressively
lead 0-3 away to Lazio last Saturday only for the home side to grab
a 3-3 draw in the 92nd minute and with the help of 2 penalty decisions.
I'm sure there are others who contribute, of
course, but to aid their attack, they have at least 2 players whose stats
suggest that they pose a real threat going forward.
Their Captain, Papu Gomez,
is an experienced and versatile Argentine Midfielder / Winger / Forward with
plenty of goals (and assists, I’m sure) in him. Early signs are that much-travelled,
pacey Columbian Luis Muriel has ‘found his club’ at Atalanta B.C.,
with 5 goals in 7 league games. Thankfully
for us, top striker Duvan Zapata was injured in an international friendly
during the last break in domestic play, as 29 league goals in 44 games is a
very impressive return for the powerful-looking, 6’ 2” Colombian.
All things considered? I’m actually going for
a draw. I just have to go
with my 'City instincts' and hope otherwise, in the right way of course, that I’m
wrong.
Prediction: N/A
Result: N/A
Expected weather conditions during
the game: A bit chilly at 9 or 10C but dry at least and with little in the way of a breeze.
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