I just wonder if…

…our manager might just tweak our formation for this one.

v Inter Milan

Etihad Stadium

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 7/11).

I could be way off here – I may be misreading the situation completely.

In addition, I haven’t watched Inter Milan and know nothing of their strengths and potential weaknesses this season, other than knowing that they sit 3^rd in Serie A after 4 games played; having won 2 and drawn 2. They are the divisions joint-top scorers with 9 from those 4 games (conceding 3) and they do have a dangerous looking Little’ish & Large show up front, in Lautaro Martinez (5’ 9”) and Marcus Thuram (6’ 4”).

And not just because it’s “Inter Milan” and not just because we still appear a little vulnerable at the back either…but rather a combination of both reasons, really. Plus the fact that I get the feeling also that, with the addition of occasional inverted wing-backs, Pep might just fancy the extra man/men in midfield for this one.

But there is definitely a nod towards some defensive issues in my reasoning; being especially vulnerable, as in previous seasons, to fast counter attacks. We’ve only managed one clean sheet from the Community Shield game onwards way back on 10^th August and a tweak, tonight, just might steady us; while the likes of Kevin, Bernardo, Phil and Erling attempt to inflict damage at the other end.

We’ll see soon enough, of course, but here goes…

A very fluid 5-4-1 / 3-6-1 / 5-3-1-1:

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

_____________________Foden_____________________

 

_______De Bruyne________________Silva___________

_____________________Rodri______________________

 

Gvardiol___________________________________Lewis

____________Dias_____Stones_____Akanji__________

 

 

____________________Ederson____________________

Subs: Carson, Ortega, Walker, Wright, Kovacic, McAtee, Gundogan, Nunes, O’Reilly, Doku, Grealish and Savinho.

Ederson continues in net.

So, if I’m right we’ll be seeing a centre-back 3 of Ruben, John & Manuel, with Josko and Rico either side of the trio. I imagine Rico Lewis being selected ahead of Kyle Walker because he can do the ‘inverted midfield’ role, whereas it’s been decided by his manager that Kyle can’t. Plus, of course, the soon-to-be 20-year-old has started the season in very good form. 👍

Rodders to add extra security to that strong defensive unit, although with those behind him I expect he’ll be given a little licence to roam forward in support of the attack whenever possible.

A trio of attacking / creative midfielders in the form of Kevin, Bernardo and Phil, who maybe slightly more advance than his two attacking midfield colleagues, are all in support of Erling, who is currently hunting down his 100^th Manchester City goal.

A 12-strong bench includes two reserve keepers in the form of Scott and Stefan, while we may see only one defender on the side in the form of the aforementioned Kyle; unless we pluck a defender from our youth-reserves. Jacob, Mateo, James, Ilkay, Matheus and Nico make up SIX central midfielders available to Pep should he fancy shaking it up at any point; each one having their own defensive, creative and attacking skills. That’s all finished off with…“just” yer Jack, Jeremy and Savinho as back-up wing men to give us a change of formation / look. What a bench to have!

Notable absences:

-       Nathan Ake– Out injured with, what we were told, is a thigh / muscular issue. Another source has it down as a hamstring injury. Either way, the Dutch international will be out for around 6 weeks from the date we were given the information, which was 13^th September. 6 weeks does sound “hammy” to me…

-       Oscar Bobb – Out injured with a fractured leg that he received in training. Expected return is anywhere between mid-November and mid-December going off the initial assessment / information released.

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

Yeah, I’d be happy with and also interested to see how it plays out, should he go with this or something similar.

At least we know we have scope to make such changes to our starting 11 if and when needed…and when we have most of our personnel available, of course. And at least we know, also, that with the addition of a second goalie and a couple of EDS lads, we can fill a bench of 12 too. 👍

Result? Whenever my thoughts briefly flicked to this fixture as we were approaching our last domestic outing and since; I’ve gotta be honest that I kept thinking this match would end up being a draw; again largely due to a small concern I have about our defence.

Then, and as you now know, the idea shot into my head about our manager possibly ‘shaking it up’ a little for this fixture and when I now look at it written down; I like it to the point where it’s changed my mind.

I’m going for a City win.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a beautiful day with hardly a cloud in the sky; when that sun sets and the sky remains cloud free, the temperature will start to drop. It’s starts off at a pleasant enough 15C and ends on a not-too-bad 13C too. There is, however, a slight, easterly breeze as well; so I would suggest to fans that a light jacket at least is advisable. Perfect conditions for playing an intense game of football, though; no excuses for players whatsoever on that score.

Solidarity