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Confident?

I'm just wondering if they will play the same counter attacking game when they're at home

And if they do..whether Bobby will rethink his tactics

At the moment I'd take a draw..for some reason I think we beat Bayern at home

I'd like to think that Napoli will adopt a different strategy to the one deployed at the Etihad stadium seeing as they are at home and need the 3 points more than we do. This more offensive approach will hopefully leave more space for our attacking players to do the business. 2-1 to city

It wouldn't surprise me if they adopted the same strategy, but being at home it will seem a bit more ambitious.
If there are goals then tbh anything could fuclin happen, but if it stayed tight then the pressure starts to mount on them.. maybe then we will see them break ranks in more numbers.
I think City can play it cool in this one and wait for the opportunities to start to open up, but i have a sneaky feeling this City team only really has one way of playing and that is what they will do.

It's City who will adopt a different approach. Nothing gung ho,plenty in the middle of the park to hopefully take control of the game and plenty of attempts to break quickly.If we do get a lot of control and the ball I am sure Mancini will be looking for plenty of discipline in the way we attack. Don't really care how Napoli go about it as long as they don't score.

Why change the way we play when we have been winning and scoring so much??

We should carry on as we have been, fear nobody!

King Kev wrote:Why change the way we play when we have been winning and scoring so much??

We should carry on as we have been, fear nobody!

Because Europe is different, as proved by games against Napoli, Bayern and Villareal at home.

de Jong has to play along with Barry and Yaya, Silva, Dzeko and Balotelli also.

the_georgian_genius wrote:

King Kev wrote:Why change the way we play when we have been winning and scoring so much??

We should carry on as we have been, fear nobody!

Because Europe is different, as proved by games against Napoli, Bayern and Villareal at home.

de Jong has to play along with Barry and Yaya, Silva, Dzeko and Balotelli also.

I think he should have Barry and De Jong sitting deep, as dedicated defensive midfielders, but give Ya Ya more of a forward role, because playing the type of game he did at Villareal, he could be a real threat.
I also think he should have Zaba and Kolarov as the starting full-backs.
Balotelli is the big question mark, because even though he's been on his best behaviour this season, it will be a different matter in the cauldron of Naples.
But he works better with Ya Ya, I think

I agree about using all of Yaya, NDJ and Barry.

Makes sense. Control the midfield.

I'm probably in a minority but I'd play Milner instead of Barry. (More mobile and pretty much on the same level regarding anticipation, plus he offers more going forward)

Dameerto wrote:I'm probably in a minority but I'd play Milner instead of Barry. (More mobile and pretty much on the same level regarding anticipation, plus he offers more going forward)

I agree,Milner is great at the mo, if De jong covering, then yes Milner can make things happen, and lets face it we're playing an Italian team in Italy and they need a point! If we dont "go for it" its gonna be the most boring 0-0 in living memory!

collie40 wrote:

Dameerto wrote:I'm probably in a minority but I'd play Milner instead of Barry. (More mobile and pretty much on the same level regarding anticipation, plus he offers more going forward)

I agree,Milner is great at the mo, if De jong covering, then yes Milner can make things happen, and lets face it we're playing an Italian team in Italy and they need a point! If we dont "go for it" its gonna be the most boring 0-0 in living memory!

Milner has been playing alot recently. Played in both England games as well as all of our game vs. NUFC. Mancini might rest him for Barry who played like a little bit more for England i think but was rested for most of NUFC. Although I really really liked what I saw from the triumvirate of Milner, NDJ, and Yaya vs. NUFC. So Barry or Milner, either choice will be good...just depends on if Mancini wants to play like last yr or this yr.

I think we'll see,

Hart
Zaba Lescott Vinnie Kolarov
NDJ Barry
Silva Yaya Balo
Dzeko

Balo over Aguero cuz of great form and Aguero had the groin injury and hobbled off vs. Newcastle. Dzeko cuz Mancini saved him this weekend.

Napoli play the counterattacking game home and away. We need to be smart with the ball and be careful not to overcommit.

phips wrote:

collie40 wrote:

Dameerto wrote:I'm probably in a minority but I'd play Milner instead of Barry. (More mobile and pretty much on the same level regarding anticipation, plus he offers more going forward)

I agree,Milner is great at the mo, if De jong covering, then yes Milner can make things happen, and lets face it we're playing an Italian team in Italy and they need a point! If we dont "go for it" its gonna be the most boring 0-0 in living memory!

Milner has been playing alot recently. Played in both England games as well as all of our game vs. NUFC. Mancini might rest him for Barry who played like a little bit more for England i think but was rested for most of NUFC. Although I really really liked what I saw from the triumvirate of Milner, NDJ, and Yaya vs. NUFC. So Barry or Milner, either choice will be good...just depends on if Mancini wants to play like last yr or this yr.

I think we'll see,

Hart
Zaba Lescott Vinnie Kolarov
NDJ Barry
Silva Yaya Balo
Dzeko

Balo over Aguero cuz of great form and Aguero had the groin injury and hobbled off vs. Newcastle. Dzeko cuz Mancini saved him this weekend.

I would be worried if we play that team TBH

I want to see the back five from the weekend. Joe, Micah, Vinnie, Lescott, Clichy.

Don't disagree with that front six but think Aguero will be in place of Dzeko

ant london wrote:

phips wrote:

collie40 wrote:

Dameerto wrote:I'm probably in a minority but I'd play Milner instead of Barry. (More mobile and pretty much on the same level regarding anticipation, plus he offers more going forward)

I agree,Milner is great at the mo, if De jong covering, then yes Milner can make things happen, and lets face it we're playing an Italian team in Italy and they need a point! If we dont "go for it" its gonna be the most boring 0-0 in living memory!

Milner has been playing alot recently. Played in both England games as well as all of our game vs. NUFC. Mancini might rest him for Barry who played like a little bit more for England i think but was rested for most of NUFC. Although I really really liked what I saw from the triumvirate of Milner, NDJ, and Yaya vs. NUFC. So Barry or Milner, either choice will be good...just depends on if Mancini wants to play like last yr or this yr.

I think we'll see,

Hart
Zaba Lescott Vinnie Kolarov
NDJ Barry
Silva Yaya Balo
Dzeko

Balo over Aguero cuz of great form and Aguero had the groin injury and hobbled off vs. Newcastle. Dzeko cuz Mancini saved him this weekend.

I would be worried if we play that team TBH

I want to see the back five from the weekend. Joe, Micah, Vinnie, Lescott, Clichy.

Don't disagree with that front six but think Aguero will be in place of Dzeko

Not sure that will happen Ant..Bob likes to rotate his fullbacks

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

ant london wrote: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

Agree all round. I think Kolarov's been good when he's played, plus it's in Italy. Clichy's not put a foot wrong, mind.

Dzeko to start for Aguero.

You could see this as a game of two halves... with the Scouce1 game in mind. Keep it tight for 45- 60 mins without Silva or Aguero, then bring both on and look to release counter attacks. Won't happen but it is an idea that would fit the strategy of what we need and keep things fresh for the weekend.

Napoli must do what they hate and that is to attack us and that is a huge advantage for us. I saw Napoli saturday with Lazio, where they had to attack and the only real opportunity was almost at the end, when Lavezzi had a briliant shot, but the lazial keeper saved it with a magnificent effort. I would play Balo, instead of Dzeko, because i think he is still affected after the international playoff and Balo would like to prove a point in his italian comeback.

Btw, i strongly recommend that any lads here that will want to go to Italy tomorrow will cancel that. If you really must go, don''t wear any City shirts, scarfs, etc. Last year, a friend of mine was almost stabbed in the streets of Naples, before Napoli - Steaua in the Euro League, by a lad on a bike. Lucky for him he the knife hit his bag. Altough you have heard rumors about the trip to Napoli, most of them are true. This was always a "hobby" there.

This lot very nearly came back from three down in Munich. They are a very good team, perhaps as good as anyone we will play in the Premier League this season. I believe there will be no resting of anybody for this match.

this is a massive game....
firstly richards HAS to play. hes been great and offers more in big games than zabba does (and i like zabba).
i would like to see back 4 of richards, vinny, lescott, kal
then yaya, ndj, barry, silva, agureo, balo.

although i think mancini might start AJ.