Reaction-wise I’m not thinking so much “mentally” but rather…how will Pep’s men recover physically in order to be ‘in the fight’ for 3 points against Liverpool tomorrow afternoon (4:30pm KO GMT)?
Burn out?
I’m not sure whether or not it was to do
with the fact that Monaco played with such
energy and high intensity in the first 45 minutes of last Wednesday’s Champions League game…but I thought we looked
largely ‘heavy legged’ in the first half as we attempted to chase the ball and
were second to almost everything.
We did appear to find some legs and looked considerably sharper after the break, as the
home side also switched down a gear. But with Pep’s
words still echoing in my head from a pre-match press conference just the other week,
where he stated that all of his players were injury free but a little tired;
I just wonder if the last 4 weeks of 8 games (including one, unwanted F.A. Cup replay) in 3 different competitions - and with the high-tempo that Guardiola likes
his players to both train & play - have taken their toll a little.
I suggested this to a fellow
Blue just yesterday who looked a little irked at the mere suggestion that our
lads might be a little jaded – am I being too soft on a bunch of highly-paid
professionals supported by the very best training & medical facilities?
Perhaps.
Advantage Liverpool?
We’re at home. Advantage City?
Well for our part…not really. We’ve amassed
30 points from 10 wins ‘on the road’ (with 4 defeats and no draws) and a lesser figure of 26 points on ‘home soil’ from just 7 wins & 5, frustrating draws (with one defeat).
However, Liverpool don’t exactly have an
away record to be too proud of; reading is it does W6,
D4,
L4. Their home form is far better.
Overall, I’d have to say that’s
pretty ‘even-Steven’.
Then, as I’ve already alluded to, there’s
the ‘fatigue factor’. While we’ve ‘slogged out’ 8
games in just 4 weeks, Liverpool’s work-shy-fops have only had to pull their shirts on 4
times in the same period, give or take a couple of
days. 8 games in 4 weeks (or 2 games per week) might not sound much in itself but
playing twice as many as your next league opponents is a considerable difference
in my book.
Not only that, but while we were travelling
back form the South of France and, hopefully
then, taking a much-needed breather on a possible day off on Thursday before intense training resumed yesterday;
Liverpool will have had ANOTHER full week off to prepare for their visit to East Manchester!
Definitely advantage Liverpool
there in terms of rest-prep…
v Liverpool
 |
| Etihad Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome.
Fluid
4-4-1-1:
____________________Aguero____________________
___________________De Bruyne__________________
_____________Silva_____________________________
____________________________Toure_____________
___________________Caballero___________________
Subs: Outfield player with gloves on, Clichy, Sagna, Delph, Fernandinho, Navas,
Iheanacho.
Despite
what I’ve said regarding concerns over some possible
fatigue, our lads have had almost 4-full days since we departed Europe’s
biggest, domestic football competition. Therefore, I don’t see too many changes
from what was, let’s face it, a very strong line-up in France.
Willy
to carry on wearing the gloves for City.
The
slightly more-attacking Aleks [over Gael] likely to keep his place from
Wednesday night but to shuffle over to an attacking left-back role. I think
John will, therefore, keep his place in the middle of defence but joined by 2
players rested in midweek, in Nicholas & Pablo.
Not
used at ALL against the French side; Yaya to step right-back-in and will,
hopefully, be ready to do some real damage to the Scousers. The rest, I think, will stay the same in
a very ‘attacking 6’ that includes David, Leroy, sure to be booed Raheem, Kevin & Sergio.
“The
Hologram” as back-up to Willy; Gael & Bacary the defensive replacement options.
Fabian & Fernandinho make up the midfield change possibilities from the
side with Jesus & Kelechi the more attacking subs.
Notable absences: Vincent Kompany (not selected / I’ve given up suggesting that Vinny might at least make the bench…so he’ll probably get a start on Sunday), Fernando (not selected), Ilkay Gundogan (injured
for rest of season), Nolito (not selected again - has he played his last game for
City?) & Gabriel Jesus (injured – possibly for the rest of the season).
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Providing those
players who DID feature 4 days earlier are ‘good to go again’ then I’m fine
with that 11 for the most part.
Result? For
all the reasons listed above, I just can’t think past a draw against our
visitors from Merseyside. With both teams likely to score, it’s
a ‘points shared’ for me. I hope, in the
right way of course, that I’m very wrong; as 59 points and a chance of 2nd place going
into the international break sounds quite appealing to me.
Expected weather conditions during
the game: Pretty miserable really, with a high chance of some rain. Average, Westerly wind speeds of 13 to 15MPH are also likely to make the forecasted temperature of 11 to 12C feel more like 5 or 6. Thick coats and warm food & drinkis are advisable for attending fans.
