Team v Atleti - Masch at RB. Alberto starts

[TaksimRakiClub]

Info I'm getting is that Mascherano's playing right back with Johnson on the left.

 

Reina

Masch

Carra

Agger

Johnno

Benny

Stevie

Lucas

Babel

Aquilani

Kuyt

[Guest LFD]

Is this the bib game?

[zigackly]

I don't really trust team info that comes out so early because it's based on training and things change in the final session. We've seen quite a few incorrect ones. Still, thanks for passing it on.

[Original202]

Is Kuyt definitely fit?

[TaksimRakiClub]

Is this the bib game?

 

Could well be mate.

 

Mate of a mate at Melwood and does the rounds via text.

 

To be fair its normally on the money otherwise I wouldn't risk making a tit of myself by posting it.

[usernameunknown]

Very exciting, attacking team but putting a right back at left back and our best midfield destroyer at right back is risky given we're in deep shit if they score.

 

That team is capable of battering them mind.

[lifetime fan]

Info I'm getting is that Mascherano's playing right back with Johnson on the left.

 

Reina

Masch

Carra

Agger

Johnno

Benny

Stevie

Lucas

Babel

Aquilani

Kuyt

 

If that is the side I wouldn't be suprised to see Bael play through the middle so Dirk can offer Mascher a bit of protection. This would also allow Mascher to wander from right back and help cover their counter attacks.

[Fowlers God]

Very exciting, attacking team but putting a right back at left back and our best midfield destroyer at right back is risky given we're in deep shit if they score.

 

That team is capable of battering them mind.

 

You just ahd to see Akotu or whatever his name is at spurs to see this

[Hooch]

Bit gutted that Lucas has to come in but we need experience at cb so I can see why he's shifted it round like that.

[PaulMcC]

I'd rather keep Mascherano in the middle.

[zigackly]

That team has been skewed just to get Lucas in hasn't it?

 

This is the alternative:

 

.................Reina

Johnson Carra Greek Agger

..........Gerrard Masch

..Babel Aquilani Benayoun

..................Kuyt

 

Which looks much better balanced to me.

[Red Banjo]

Athletico have been woeful this season. They have prob underachieved more than we have but still have the chance to win 2 trophies.

 

With this in mind - we could easily beat them.

 

However, without Torres - its gonna be a seriously big ask.

 

I'd go for the pace option and stick Babel up top personally.

 

If Kuyt and N'Gog are still classed as risks today - then i'd be uncomfortable with either of them starting such an important game and not being 100%. That being despite the fact that they are Kuyt and N'Gog, and as such are both nervous as strikers and cannot be relied upon. Babel's pace and power will be much more difficult for them to contain - even though he's an inconsitent plank. I think he's more capable of producing something

[PaulMcC]

I think the main reason he's changed it, is to get Agger in the middle.

 

Probably wants a more mobile player against Aguero than the Greek.

[zigackly]

I think the main reason he's changed it, is to get Agger in the middle.

 

Probably wants a more mobile player against Aguero than the Greek.

 

.................Reina

Johnson Greek Agger Carra

..........Gerrard Masch

..Babel Aquilani Benayoun

..................Kuyt

 

Main reason he's changed it is Lucas.

 

If he has.

[PaulMcC]

.................Reina

Johnson Greek Agger Carra

..........Gerrard Masch

..Babel Aquilani Benayoun

..................Kuyt

 

Main reason he's changed it is Lucas.

 

If he has.

 

The Greek is still against Aguero there.

[05 Milan]

.................Reina

Johnson Greek Agger Carra

..........Gerrard Masch

..Babel Aquilani Benayoun

..................Kuyt

 

Main reason he's changed it is Lucas.

 

If he has.

 

If we're gonna play Masch at right back then I would also want Lucas in there playing the defensive role. Lets Gerrard and Aquilani bomb forward.

[zigackly]

I have an easy solution Milan. Don't play Masch at right back.

 

I have a thing about balanced teams though. Masch at right back and Johnson at left back is just wrong unless you can avoid it.

 

Perhaps by playing players in their natural positions ...

[Chinandeler Bong]

I have an easy solution Milan. Don't play Masch at right back.

 

I have a thing about balanced teams though. Masch at right back and Johnson at left back is just wrong unless you can avoid it.

 

Perhaps by playing players in their natural positions ...

 

Thats just asburd

[PaulMcC]

We don't have a left back to play there.

[Red Banjo]

I wish we didn't have a back up left back made of monster munch

[lifetime fan]

In a game at home we need to dominate and therir main threat will be counter attacks what does the Greek offer?

[zigackly]

We don't have a left back to play there.

 

How have we been managing that in recent games? We've not come unstuck with Agger. If you want him in the middle then play Carra on the left. I understand you think he's scared of Aguero, but I don't believe in unbalancing our team to cope with an opposition player.

 

Anyway, that's my opinion.

[zigackly]

In a game at home we need to dominate and therir main threat will be counter attacks what does the Greek offer?

 

He's alive!

[Red Phoenix]

I think he's fearing what Aguero/Forlan will do against the Greek too. Maybe Carra screaming at him for parts of the 1st leg helped make his mind up aswell. Aguero could've punished for that confusion a lot more if he'd been playing.

[Delmar]

How have we been managing that in recent games? We've not come unstuck with Agger. If you want him in the middle then play Carra on the left. I understand you think he's scared of Aguero, but I don't believe in unbalancing our team to cope with an opposition player.

 

Anyway, that's my opinion.

 

I don't see how playing Mascherano at RB unbalances the defence, anyway, he has shown he is capable of playing there. Johnson left is not a worry, either, and it would be good to have Agger playing where he should.

 

Anyway, the decision would have more to do how the team is set up to play. Johnson will attack, regardless of the side he plays in. But we will probably also play exactly the way everyone hates, conservatively, carefully, trying not to concede. That's where Mascherano at RB comes in handy.