Momentum

A really good little run of results is in danger of become real momentum and if we can continue this form over the next two games, it’ll help bridge the gap between the injury list that we currently have to getting some important players back in contention.

This up ‘n’ coming international break, following this Sunday’s league fixture, acts as a double-edged sword for us on this occasion - on the one hand helping to pass time while recovering players progress further but at the same time interrupting our good run of form.

v AS Monaco

Stade Louis-II

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

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

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

Doku_____________________________________Silva(C)

 

_________Reijnders_____________Foden____________

_____________________Rodri______________________

 

O’Reilly___________________________________Nunes

__________Gvardiol_____________Dias(VC)___________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma__________________

Subs: Bettinelli, Trafford, Lewis, Ake, Stones, Gonzalez, Kovacic, Mukasa, Bobb, Savinho.

Gigi continues between the sticks.

I reckon a back 4, occasional 3, of Nico-O-, Kosko, Ruben and Matheus – a fairly steady starting back line at the mo.

Rodders to start? I could be wrong but I think with him being nursed and rested in recent days he may be asked to start this one IF the player feels okay to do so. Should the Spanish midfielder start I don’t think he’ll be asked to do much more than 45 minutes.

Ahead of Rodri is another fairly regular five of Jeremy, Tijjani, Phil, Bernardo, who returns to his previous club 8 years and 4 months on.

Eling up front completes that attacking five.

Two keepers on the bench come in the form of Marcus and James. No disrespect meant to Bettinelli in the slightest but I have to say that I am a bit confused as to why Stefan Ortega doesn’t appear to be considered as third-choice keeper behind Donnarumma and Trafford. I suppose he could be injured but I’ve scoured around for news regarding that and there is none. I’m left feeling that his manager was simply convinced that Stefan would find a new club in the summer and that he is now so far from his thoughts that Marcus Bettinelli is well ‘n’ truly considered to be our Number-3 stopper. Fair enough. In a bench of 10 (from a possible 12) we have three defenders in the form of Rico, Nathan and John; three midfielders in Nico-G-, Mateo and Divine and two wingers in Oscar and Savinho.

Notable absences:

-       Stefan Ortega – Not selected.

-       Rayan Ait-Nouri – Injured. The nature of the injury and length of time out is still unknown.

-       Abdukodir Khuanov – Out with an ankle issue. We were told on 23^rd September that the Uzbekistan international will be out for a few games. Exact return date unknown but I reckon we’ll see him soon after the international break.

-       Kalvin Phillips – Not registered to play in the Champions League.

-       Rayan Cherki – Back in training! 😀 However, having looked up this injury a while ago, the club will be keen to take it very slowly with the French attacker’s return because thigh muscle tears can be further complicated if you don’t allow it to fully heal and THEN take steady steps afterwards. Pep confirmed this to be the case in yesterday’s press conference; informing us that if the muscle rips once again the player is then likely looking at surgery and months on the sidelines. I think we could be looking at the end of October (Villa or Swansea away) which, thinking about it, was the original estimated return time.

-       Omar Marmoush – Out with a bruised knee ligament issue. Unknown return date but it will be a matter of weeks by the sounds of it; possibly returning either just before or just after the next international break in October.

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

Yep.

Result?

I don’t know much about our hosts if I’m being truthful, especially with regards to their players. That being said, I do understand that they are a side who like to dominate offensively through both patient build-up play / possession as well as rapid counter attacks. It could make for an interesting meeting.

The easy facts to tell you are that they sit 3^rd in their domestic league table with 4 wins and 2 defeats. They are top league goal scorers with an impressive 14 from 6 matches, the same as us from the same number of league games, but conceding 10 does suggest that when they do go marauding forward they tend to leave themselves exposed. Remind you of anyone – most certainly form last season? 🤔

As I’ve already said, we are on the verge of gaining proper momentum now and what has brought us to this point is pretty impressive. Since our last defeat, across three competitions our results looks like this: P5 W4 D1 L0 – F13 A2, with 3 clean sheets. Three clean sheets and only two goals conceded in five matches?! Is this our team I’m talking about? 🫢

If this one ends 0-0 I will be gobsmacked and, sadly, we could be looking at adding to those two goals conceded in recent matches.

I would say that if any side is capable of coming away with a clean sheet then it is us. However, I think they’ll be goals at both ends but IN the end I think it’ll be the away side that takes all the points. I’m going for us to nick it.

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

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a lovely few days in the area, rain showers arrive in the region for both the build up to the match and the game itself. Nothing too heavy and while the sun is up it will make an appearance between the wet stuff. Temperatures remain a pleasant 19C throughout the 90+ minutes but with a ‘feels like’ of 21C. ☔😎🍷🥟🍺⚽

Solidarity