***Official Napoli vs City Thread***

[sheblue]

why are people not putting aguero in their teams?

[Goaters 103]

We dare not lose, and I dont think we will.

Hart

Zabba
Kompany
Lescott
Kolarov

Barry
NDJ

Silva
Ya Ya
Aguero

Dzeko

[The Original Special One]

Yeah I know he does. To be honest. I'd be happy to see Kolarov come in to a degree as he's looked strong thus far but I'd be loathe to lose Micah from the starting line up as he really is in form and would cause any side problems at the moment

Micah is still suspect, defensively: it wasn't so obvious on Saturday, but it certainly was against QPR.
We might be ok with De Jong covering for Micah going AWOL, but not otherwise
Zaba is more conscientious a defender, although he's less potent, offensively.

For me Kolarov has to start ahead of Clichy, because he's far superior going forward, and[highlight]there's not much between them, defensively[/highlight]

Clichy is a million times better defensively than Aleksander

There's urban myths, and there's urban myths
As for Micah, did you watch the QPR game?
Capello did, for one
Don't believe the hype!

[The Original Special One]

We dare not lose, and I dont think we will.

Hart

Zabba
Kompany
Lescott
Kolarov

Barry
NDJ

Silva
Ya Ya
Aguero

Dzeko

Given Aguero's presence at Mancini's right hand at the press conference he looks certain to start him.
But I can't see him being deployed in either of the 'wing' positions.
Definitely I'd start Nige, and deploy Ya Ya in a more forward position, without over-burdening him with defensive responsibilities

[horlock2000]

Clichy has got to start tonight ahead of Kolarov...much much better defensively and alot quicker as we will need that when they hit us on the counter. Not only is he quicker but when an attack breaks down, he is also quicker to turn and get himself back, Kolarov isnt bad and has improved alot this season but Clichy would start most games for me. Been outstanding when hes played this season and adds another dimension both defnsively and offensively as he is one of the quickest players about. Completely nullyfies the threat of a quick winger/forward cos they cant beat him for pace. Kolarov on the other hand is basically gash defensively but decent going forward,get beat very very easily.

Id go:

Hart
Micah Joleon Komps Clichy

Milner De Jong

Toure

Aguero Silva

Mario/Dzeko

The only reason Dzeko would play ahead of Mario is temperamant and the fact that the Napoli players will probably single out Mario like Uruguay did for some rough stuff.

[brite blu sky]

Definitely I'd start Nige, and deploy Ya Ya in a more forward position, [highlight]without over-burdening him with defensive responsibilities[/highlight]

that sounds like a plan.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Clichy has got to start tonight ahead of Kolarov...much much better defensively and alot quicker as we will need that when they hit us on the counter. Not only is he quicker but when an attack breaks down, he is also quicker to turn and get himself back, Kolarov isnt bad and has improved alot this season but Clichy would start most games for me. Been outstanding when hes played this season and adds another dimension both defnsively and offensively as he is one of the quickest players about. Completely nullyfies the threat of a quick winger/forward cos they cant beat him for pace. Kolarov on the other hand is basically gash defensively but decent going forward,get beat very very easily.

Id go:

Hart
Micah Joleon Komps Clichy

Milner De Jong

Toure

Aguero Silva

Mario/Dzeko

The only reason Dzeko would play ahead of Mario is temperamant and the fact that the Napoli players will probably single out Mario like Uruguay did for some rough stuff.

A set piece could settle this...Kolorov for me in this game.

[bigblue]

A set piece could settle this...Kolorov for me in this game.

With the exception of Aguero in Villarreal, Bob seems to put players in who have experience against the teams we are playing. So I think say Kolarov will most likely play (also because he didn't play on Sat).

Think if we just play a balanced game (not sitting too deeply or pressing too high) we should pull out a win. Last game against these we left 2 or 3 people marking their attacking trio when we had possession and we got caught out. But if we sit too deep, it may be a ton of pressure to absorb away from home. Especially because we are used to playing a more attacking style, we shouldn't change it up too much for one game.

I think the fact that they've been playing bad in the league may motivate them to play harder in this game though. They might see the CL as their only hope this year. But just a few tweaks from our home game against them and not going behind early should see them off.

[Ted Hughes]

Kolarov still scares me to death defensively but I can't deny how dangerous he's been going forward & at set pieces.

[Beefymcfc]

[scroll]Come On City!!![/scroll]
I'm off to the pub ;-)

[Dameerto]

I've never been one to wish misfortune on anyone, or take joy in another's misfortune, but this might have some bearing on tonight's game:

Pre-match disruption hits Napoli

Napoli have had preparations for their Champions League clash with Manchester City disrupted this morning by a fire scare in the hotel they were staying at.

Lodging at a Naples hotel together as part of pre-match plans for Tuesday’s Group A match with Roberto Mancini’s side, some of the Azzurri players were forced to be evacuated from their rooms as a precautionary matter during the incident.

The situation was soon brought under control, but is the second disruption Walter Mazzarri’s men have had as they prepare for tonight’s match with City.

Earlier, reports emerged that Marek Hamsik’s pregnant wife had been held at gunpoint by robbers as they made off with her car.

Napoli go into tonight’s Group A clash in need of three points to reclaim second spot in the table and stand a better chance of securing a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

[Alex Sapphire]

I've never been one to wish misfortune on anyone, or take joy in another's misfortune, but this might have some bearing on tonight's game:

Pre-match disruption hits Napoli

Napoli have had preparations for their Champions League clash with Manchester City disrupted this morning by a fire scare in the hotel they were staying at.

Lodging at a Naples hotel together as part of pre-match plans for Tuesday’s Group A match with Roberto Mancini’s side, some of the Azzurri players were forced to be evacuated from their rooms as a precautionary matter during the incident.

The situation was soon brought under control, but is the second disruption Walter Mazzarri’s men have had as they prepare for tonight’s match with City.

Earlier, reports emerged that Marek Hamsik’s pregnant wife had been held at gunpoint by robbers as they made off with her car.

Napoli go into tonight’s Group A clash in need of three points to reclaim second spot in the table and stand a better chance of securing a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

did Bob give Mario the afternoon off?

[Dameerto]

did Bob give Mario the afternoon off?

Nothing would surprise me. He has contacts in Naples if one of those stories about him being shown around by a couple of 'godfathers' was true...

[mr_nool]

I'm nervous.

[Beeks]

I'm nervous.

+1

[Colin the King]

What worries me isn't necessarily being kicked out of the Champions' League (even though progressing would be great of course), it's the fear of finishing 3rd and being sent into that tinpot YouWasters Cup, playing the 7th best teams in Iceland and Liechtenstein every Thursday. It'd derail our league form, I'm convinced of it.

[Ted Hughes]

What worries me isn't necessarily being kicked out of the Champions' League (even though progressing would be great of course), it's the fear of finishing 3rd and being sent into that tinpot YouWasters Cup, playing the 7th best teams in Iceland and Liechtenstein every Thursday. It'd derail our league form, I'm convinced of it.

Don't you think we'd be worse off with all these players & no games for them to play ? I recon we could put a side out for that no problem.

[Beeks]

What worries me isn't necessarily being kicked out of the Champions' League (even though progressing would be great of course), it's the fear of finishing 3rd and being sent into that tinpot YouWasters Cup, playing the 7th best teams in Iceland and Liechtenstein every Thursday. It'd derail our league form, I'm convinced of it.

Don't you think we'd be worse off with all these players & no games for them to play ? I recon we could put a side out for that no problem.

I reckon we would win it..where's the final?

[Beeks]

Official team to face Napoli

Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, de Jong, Yaya, Dzeko, Silva, Balotelli

Subs

, Savic, Clichy, A. Johnson, Barry, Nasri, Aguero

[Slim]

What worries me isn't necessarily being kicked out of the Champions' League (even though progressing would be great of course), it's the fear of finishing 3rd and being sent into that tinpot YouWasters Cup, playing the 7th best teams in Iceland and Liechtenstein every Thursday. It'd derail our league form, I'm convinced of it.

Don't you think we'd be worse off with all these players & no games for them to play ? I recon we could put a side out for that no problem.

I reckon we would win it..where's the final?

Bucharest....prefer Munich though.