With, apparently,
a ‘big game’ at the weekend coming up, it’ll be interesting to see what personnel are chosen to face our Italian hosts tonight; in a Champions League game where a City win will see us progress to the knock-out stage
with 2 games still to go!
If that happens, it should go some way to-easing the
pressure on our players as the fixture list heads into the ‘congestion season’ after the next international
break.
 |
| San Siro (temporary ground-share as Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia is being redeveloped) |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct
from starting line-up in the last game: A lowly 6/11).
4-1-4-1:
____________________Jesus____________________
__________________Gundogan__________________
___________________Ederson___________________
I think this
is tough one for Pep to balance – a set of
scales where, on one side, he’ll want to put the group stage of this
competition behind us for reasons I’ve already given but, of course also, he won’t want
to risk ‘big players’ with injury or fatigue ahead of such a key, league
fixture on Sunday.
Having said that, his hand is being forced to some
degree due to the players he has on his ‘not available’ list…
I can’t see a reason why our manager would not choose his ‘number 1’
keeper for this one, so I’m going for Ederson in net.
Both being rested in the last game, I think we’ll see a full player
rotation in the wing-back positions, with Benjamin & Joao starting tonight.
In between those, I’m going for Guardiola to pick Eric & Nicolas.
Ilkay likely to be asked to ‘sit deep’ in front of those and with available
midfielders reduced in numbers for this fixture, our manager may be forced to
pitch a ‘strong 4’ ahead of the German in Raheem, Kevin, Bernardo & Riyad.
Gabriel to start up front, I’m sure.
Claudio the reserve stopper and then we have a rested / protected
defensive 4 of Angelino, Kyle, John & Fernandinho on the side in case
needed. I can see central / attacking midfielder Tommy being given a place on
the bench and, if so, he might get some considerable minutes should the circumstances
suit. Sergio is our only striking option from ‘the 7’ but is unlikely to see
any / many minutes, I recon.
Notable
absences:
- David Silva – Picked up a muscular
injury at the weekend and is likely to be out for another week-to-10-days (just what we didn’t need).
- Leroy Sane – Expected to return
form injury sometime in January 2020 (that doesn’t sound too
long now!).
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted)
line-up?
Yep…and I’m hoping
early in the second half we can start to withdraw the likes of Raheem, Kevin
& Bernardo / Riyad.
Result?
I think this’ll be a tough away fixture for us.
The home side need 2 wins to have ANY chance of
going through to the next stage in second place and although their mini-league
record in this competition looks woeful, they are still doing reasonably well
in Serie A; sitting, as they do, 5th and on the same
points as teams either side of them. They’re also undefeated in the last 4
league games.
As I mentioned before the reverse leg, they have
dangerous, attacking players but, on the other hand, they tend to be “leaky”
too.
I was, in fact, actually leaning towards predicting
a draw but, instead, my instincts tell me that this’ll be a narrow away win.
I just hope our
players don’t strain themselves TOO much in pursuit of 3 points tonight…
Last season’s,
corresponding pre-match prediction and result…
Prediction: N/A
Result: N/A
Expected weather conditions during
the game: This forecast sounds like we’re playing
this game at home! A chance of light rain as the referee blows his whistle to start the match and 7C is about as “warm” as it’s gonna get too. The chances of more ‘wet stuff’ diminishes, though, as the game goes on at least.
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