City away 10/4/18 UCL 1/4 2nd Leg

[Bjornebye]

Nerves just kicked in.

[Grinch]

Score

[Dr Nowt]

Now the derby's out the way, one thing I've noticed is that this whole "the tie's not over" narrative, while true, making it as ever imperative we don't get overconfident about the foundation we've given ourselves, has almost started to make it feel like the tie's finely poised on a knife edge.  It's not. 

 

Obviously City are a superb side, and we've both let 3 goal leads slip and turned them round ourselves within a half, so all know what's possible.  But this isn't a game where we should be allowing all the media bellends to talk us into panicked underdog status, or manufacture a self-fulfilling prophecy that we're going to struggle from first minute to last.

 

We're 3-0 up here, they have to come out at us and we can, have and do cut them apart on the break.  Set up like we have against them all season long, keep eleven men on the pitch and play our own game with the confidence of a side who can mix it with anyone and score at any time. 

 

If we lose we lose, sure they're good enough to do that to anyone, but fuck being fearful of a game where we hold all the aces and in which a strong mentality is paramount.  They're the ones entering unchartered territory here and in a vulnerable position, not us.

[Bobby Hundreds]

Treat it like it's nil nil. I'm worried we will try to play defensive and negate our strengths

[Creator Supreme]

20-0 to City

[Nelly-Szoboszlai]

Treat it like it's nil nil. I'm worried we will try to play defensive and negate our strengths

That would be a viable tactic. Stop them scoring less than 3. Or, an away goal kills it.

 

But, Klopp has been here a couple of years now. He don't do defensive.

[Aventus]

That would be a viable tactic. Stop them scoring less than 3. Or, an away goal kills it.

 

But, Klopp has been here a couple of years now. He don't do defensive.

Yeah he seemed annoyed with how defensive we were in the second half of the first leg. No way in hell he sets up the team that way.

 

First goal and we're sorted, their players will just start sulking and planning their summer holidays.

[3 Stacks]

Milner, Oxlade and Wijnaldum midfield will be interesting. 

[Saintslfc13]

Treat it like it's nil nil. I'm worried we will try to play defensive and negate our strengths

 

Wouldn’t worry about that. Klopp was annoyed that we “didn’t play more football” in the second half last week. We’re going to set up to beat them.

[aRdja]

Milner, Oxlade and Wijnaldum midfield will be interesting.

 

Yeah, no natural CM between them. I’d seriously consider playing three at the back if I’m honest.

[moof]

no natural CM between them.

Hmm...

[Jay86]

As long as we score 1 goal the tie is completely over, we caused them hell before Mane got sent off in the league so I’d expect a few chances which we need to take. Just 1 goal and we’re through, that’ll be in the back of their head from kick off, no matter how much they attack we just need 1 goal to go through. We’re not conceding 5 there no chance.

[mattyq]

Henderson will be a big miss but if we don't go through it'd be a shocker

If Mo is fit we'll be good if not it'll be interesting

[aRdja]

——————-Karius——————-

——Lovren—Van Dijk—Klavan——

Trent——-Gini——-Milner—-Robbo

——-Salah—-Firmino—Mane——-

[Jairzinho]

Why would you want our midfield to be overrun?

[Curly]

I’m so worried about Tuesday. It seems a bit hysterical and overly negative, but I’ve got a really bad feeling about it. Can see a 5-1 coming. Can you fucking imagine? We would be the characters in their story. We make the stories. Please see this out red men!

[Dr Nowt]

I’m so worried about Tuesday. It seems a bit hysterical and overly negative, but I’ve got a really bad feeling about it. Can see a 5-1 coming. Can you fucking imagine? We would be the characters in their story. We make the stories. Please see this out red men!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0z_Qqnq8pI8#

[aRdja]

Why would you want our midfield to be overrun?

Without Can and Hendo, chances are it will be anyway. Keep it as tight as possible at the back, and play on the counter utilising Mane’s and Salah’s pace.

 

Bring Ox on in the second half for one of the forwards.

[Tj hooker]

Treat it like it's nil nil. I'm worried we will try to play defensive and negate our strengths

Just can't see Klopp setting up like that don't think he will go gung ho but I think he will try and score 1 goal means they have to get 5 as we all know

[Jairzinho]

Without Can and Hendo, chances are it will be anyway. Keep it as tight as possible at the back, and play on the counter utilising Mane’s and Salah’s pace.

 

Bring Ox on in the second half for one of the forwards.

 

It's a recipe for inviting too much pressure. Playing three centre halves against a very good side, with a world class midfield, that plays one forward, isn't a very good idea.

 

Play a midfield three and nullify Silva and De Bruyne like we did in the first leg.

 

Chamberlain should start.

[Ne Moe Imya]

All about the first goal.

 

If they get it the nerves will start to properly jangle and we will really see what we're made out of. As we all know, Lovren has a tendency to completely go to pieces mentally after a mistake, so you could see them having a route back into the game if they score early, especially if it's his error.

 

But with VVD in there it's equally possible that he settles everything down after a goal and just restores order. I think we've only conceded 4 goals in his last 9 starts or something like that.

 

Of course, if we score first, then it could be a really fun evening. They are just as capable as we are of going to pieces when the chips are down, so if we were to get an early goal it could be fun to win at theirs 0-3 or thereabouts.

 

In summary, it's all to play for, and it's brilliant. This time of year, we SHOULD have nerves, because that means we're playing in important matches. Almost forgot what it's like, I'm loving it.

[aws]

Workrate in midfield will be key to close down City.

 

Wij, Ox and Milner will hopefully be good enough to do the chasing and get it forward quickly as City commit.

[an tha]

Loads of changes for City today.

 

No surprise really.

[G Richards]

Karius

Trent Lovren VVD Robertson

Milner Wijnaldum Ox

Salah Firmino Mane

 

The midfield is a bit concerning, but the rest of the team picks itself.

I think we will score away, they will win on the night, but we will go through. Just a prediction. No reason we can’t win there too.

[eeyore]

Cunt features is back on the bench as well