Raising the curtain at the King Power

Glorified friendly? Means nothing if you lose it but it’s classed as a trophy in the cabinet if you win?

We’ve all heard and probably even said ‘em at one point or another but it’s upon us already today, whatever your opinion might be of the Community Shield.

v Liverpool

King Power Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last, competitive game: 8/11).

I can envisage our manager ‘staying loyal’ to the players who travelled with him to America…and, of course, those travelling players have had game-time minutes ‘under their belts’ as opposed to remaining with the Under-23s; travelling around Europe and “just” training back home at the Etihad Campus / CFA (those players being Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan & Phil Foden).

For those who may not know, Aymeric didn’t travel with the first-team squad to USA due to being deemed not fit enough; whilst John, Ilkay & Phil failed to meet the USA’s entry requirement with regards to Covid-19 vaccinations.

Fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3:

____________________Alvarez____________________

 

 

Grealish__________________________________Mahrez

___________De Bruyne___________________________

____________________________Silva_______________

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Cancelo__________________________________Walker

 

____________Ake________________Dias____________

 

 

_____________________Ortega_____________________

Subs: Ederson, Wilson-Esbrand, Mbete, Stones, Phillips, Gundogan, Foden, Palmer, Haaland.

(6 substitutes allowed from those 9 in this one-off-game competition as opposed to the newly-changed-rule of 5 from 9 in the Premier League as of this-coming season).

I’ve just got a feeling that Pep will fancy giving a taste of Premier League action to our new stopper, Stefan. It’s risk facing such a very-strong attacking force as Liverpool and it could backfire big time; potentially denting the German stopper’s confidence heading into the new season. But should our manager choose to do so, I could understand why.

Facing such a strong, attacking side as we are, I’d be surprised if we didn’t put out our strongest available defence who’ve had game-time minutes in pre-season and that would consist of Joao, Nathan, Ruben & Kyle.

Rodders to patrol in front of those 4 and help with defensive duties, with Jack, Kevin, Bernardo & Riyad more advance with attack largely on their minds, although we might see Bernardo in more of a ‘dual role’, which is something I’ll be watching for should he start in the middle in a few hours’ time.

Haaland to start up top? I’m gonna say no. Having started his season in South America back in February [to early July], Julian is, in a sense, half way through his season and in ‘full flow’ fitness / preparation-wise. Erling, on the other hand, although fit and ready to go, is some way behind the Argentine. Julian to start, for me, but I fully expect ‘the big man’ to come on at some point in the second half.

Ederson might have to settle for back-up keeper this evening; Josh, Luke & John make up the defenders in ‘the 9’. Kalvin, Ilkay, Phil & Cole are the midfield replacement options on the side, while Erling is the reserve striker.

Notable absences:

-       Benjamin Mendy – Suspended by the club until further notice.

-       Aymeric Laporte – Out with a knee injury, which he’s had closed-season surgery for. Expected return sometime in September.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Considering the fact that some players have had pre-season games and a small handful haven’t; under the circumstances I’d have to say, yes.

What I’m alluding to there is that if this was a league game against Liverpool later on in the season then I’d have Phil starting on the left any day of the week ahead of Jack and would likely to choose John or Aymeric over Nathan; as well as, possibly, a different striker choice.

Result? Just as with the starting 11 and subs; trying to guess the result of a Community Shield game is very difficult.

I think they’ll be goals at both ends but if we ‘go strong’ personnel wise then I get the feeling we’re in better shape than our opponents. It’s a City win for me and one I hope we can finish in ‘the 90’.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result…

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: Warm. Really quite warm in fact. We’re not expecting much sun over LE2 - or any for that matter - and there is gonna be a brisk westerly breeze blowing over the stadium. However, 72 to 74F (22 / 23C in new money) certainly makes for a pleasant late July evening.

Solidarity