Straight to it…
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| Etihad Stadium |
Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:
(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).
Fluid 4-1-5-0 / 4-6-0 / 4-3-3:
______________________________________________
Foden_______________Jesus______________Sterling
_________Gundogan______________Silva__________
_____________________Rodri____________________
Cancelo_________________________________Walker
___________Laporte____________Dias_____________
____________________Ederson___________________
Subs: Steffen, Carson, Zinchenko, Oduroh, Ake, Stones, Fernandinho, Lavia, Palmer, Grealish, McAtee, Mahrez.
Whilst I agree with a friend of mine who suggested, yesterday, that we might see our manager change the formation slightly to include all-3 of our main central defenders; at home and with a chance of finishing this group stage ‘top dogs’; I can also see us sticking with our familiar system. We’ll all know by about 7:00pm, of course…
Ederson has the gloves.
I’m going with a back 4 Joao, Aymeric, Ruben & Kyle.
Rodders is the defensive midfielder and he largely sits behind a fluid, attacking 5 of Phil, Ilkay, Gabriel, Bernardo & Raheem; who I’m guessing will-likely-be-rewarded for a far better performance last Sunday.
Two keepers on the bench in the form of Zack & Scott; Oleksandr, Kwaku (a big guess as a possible right-sided defensive option), Nathan & John make up the defenders on the side; with the latter possibly feeling a little aggrieved IF I’m correct, of course. Fernandinho, Romeo, Cole, Jack, James & Riyad are the midfield / wing / attacking options in ‘the 12’…IF our manager chooses to have a full bench compliment with the EDS kicking off at 3:00pm on the same day.
Notable absences:
- Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.
- Kevin De Bruyne – Out with Covid-19 with an “isolation countdown” starting from 17.11.2021; whilst assuming also, after that, that he doesn’t suffer any after effects…
- Ferran Torres – Out with a foot injury until around Christmas time.
Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?
Yep.
Result? Well, our hosts are flying in their league but for someone who doesn’t study the quality of Ligue 1, that means nothing to me.
Packed with attacking quality, as they are; this is no doubt a big test for us. However, they have been held to a draw by both Club Bruges & RB Leipzig, which shocked me a little when I first saw those results, I have to say. So…they can be tamed.
And let’s not forget also that we not only beat them on ‘our patch’ last season but won in Paris too and with there being no secret whatsoever that their manager is apparently unhappy at his situation at ‘Les Parisiens’ (although he's very recently said otherwise) and is seemingly desperate to become the next “permanent” Manager of Manyoo; it could be a good time to ‘have another pop at ‘em’.
I am, therefore, tempted to put us down for a win but I’ve got this little ‘spider sense’ feeling that’s telling me that Pep might…MIGHT attempt to ‘tinker’ and if he does, it might not be for the best.
I’m sticking this one down as a draw, which will see us qualify at least.
Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result, albeit at the semi-final stage…
Prediction: Win
Result: Won
(Pre-match blog posting from that game)
Expected weather conditions during the game: Chilly but dry, at least. 5 or 6C is the official temperature but with a light ,northerly breeze, that might feel a little colder. Perfect for the players to exert themselves, I would say; while those stood or sat still on the sides might want to wrap up and 'take in' something warm.
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