CSKA Moscow v MAN CITY – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
20 Oct
Pablo Zabaleta is set to return for this must-win Champions League encounter after being rested at the weekend. Aleks Kolarov is expected to replace Gael Clichy on the left of the back four, with Eliaquim Mangala and Martin Demichelis competing for a place alongside Vincent Kompany at the heart of defence.
Manuel Pellegrini’s attacking instincts as a manager are obvious, but the wiser move may be to strengthen the midfield and sacrifice one striker. He could partner Fernando and Fernandinho in the centre of the pitch, with Yaya Touré operating from a more advanced position. After his four-goal salvo against Tottenham, Sergio Aguero could drop to the bench for this game, depending on whether Pellegrini plans on playing with one or two strikers.
Here is the side the manager could select:
Referee: Istvan Vad.
Prediction: CSKA Moscow 1 – 2 MAN CITY – City clearly have far more ability and their confidence is high, but it may come down to whichever side responds best to the absence of supporters from the stadium. It is an odd situation, one which the players are unlikely to have experienced before, and it is hard to know which side it will favour. I’m backing goals from Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Seydou Doumbia.
Fernie(2) would need to be a bit sharper than he was on Saturday against Spuds. He isn’t fully match fit since his injury and I’d be happier resting him for Wham and starting Dinho for this game. Other than that, with Naz injured the side picks itself and should have more than enough to silence the crowd – erh good point
Alph
Like Alph says we need to hold on to the ball early and quieten the partizan crowd. If we achievet that then I think we could control the game and win at a canter, i’m almost astonished VFAB thinks we will only score 2 as we are free scoring team at the moment and I dont see that stopping against CSKA.
Don’t worry about the crowd BB – it’s a nailed on certainty that they will be quiet
Souness is 100 p.c correct about us. We must adapt our game. We must work harder, against spurs/premier league we sit off to much’ its like if you score 2 we’ll get 4, I know its great to watch mostly but the team is of an age were it should be maturing, I.e playing games with experience. Having said all that I’m not sure they can/will. 4-2 maybe???
I cant stand Souness, he was so bitter about us towards the end of last season when we had the audacity to keep winning and prevent the medias beloved Liverpool from winning the title.
I truly believe our defense is much better than its appearing at the moment, I think for the most part we defend well as a unit but we just need to eradicate the one off mistakes.