Bayern Munich v MAN CITY – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
16 Sep
Pablo Zabaleta is suspended for the first group game of this competition after being sent off against Barcelona in the second leg of the knockout tie last season, so Bacary Sagna will step in to the side. Aleks Kolarov and Gael Clichy are vying for a role on the left of defence, whilst Eliaquim Mangala is pushing for his City debut at the expense of Martin Demichelis.
Fernando is still sidelined with injury, so that means Yaya Touré will likely feature in a central midfield two alongside Fernandinho, with Frank Lampard dropping down to the bench following his appearance away to Arsenal. Samir Nasri is also fighting for a place in the side, although James Milner’s tactical awareness and Jesus Navas’s electric pace mean it could be tough for the Frenchman to force his way in.
Although hardly the most presentable of opponents, this may not be the worst time to face Bayern. The Germans are missing Javi Martinez, Holger Badstuber, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago Alcantara and Franck Ribéry, while Arjen Robben is a slight doubt with injury.
Here is the side Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Alberto Mallenco.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 2 – 1 MAN CITY – The home side are missing a string of key players, but they possess a superb squad and on home soil, when there is still something to play for (unlike last season’s encounter), they will play with an intensity that will be tough to match. City have started slowly in the Champions League in recent years and it will take an outstanding performance to come back with at least a share of the spoils.
If we can not beat a weakened Bayern that has a few key players out then we might not as well qualify. I know they have a great squad but if there is a time that we should go for a win, it is now.
Bayern on their home turf, regardless of the missing players, is never going to be an easy match. I don’t see enough grit in that side, VfaB, to battle it out in the middle of the park.
As soon as they lose the ball Guardiola’s teams mob the opposition player in possession and will be all over a 2 man City midfield like a rash, especially when one of them is Yaya. His talent is his passing game and control of possession, his defensive work is strictly average. Navas works back well, Silva and Nasri give a nod in that direction but it seems to me that we will need a box to box player in there to make a three in the centre of the park. One thing is for sure, our much vaunted flair players can’t play without the ball.
I have no idea what side Pellers will pick but personally would sacrifice Nasri or Navas for Milner for the first hour at least and have him playing in a midfield 3 so that BM have to go wide to get around them. If we are still in the game after an hour and the steam has abated who knows, with Dzeko available and the guile and possession ability of Nasri, or the pace of Navas to come off the bench anything could happen.
Defend well and we could get a 1-1 draw. That would be an excellent result so early in our season in my view.
We can win this, Yaya will boss the middle, he is a great player. Anyway the owner wants this trophy, so why not start here?
Milner with Fernand. With navas,yaya and silva to support sergio. The agility of the front BM line requires the two fast fullbacks as well as an agile quick centre half. Therefore sagna komp manga and clichy.