Next: Bayern Munich (Away) - Champions League
Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 11:03 amFC Bayern Munchen v Manchester City FC
Allianz Arena, Munich
Tuesday 10 December 2013
Kickoff: 8:45 PM Local Time (7:45 PM GMT - UK Time)
Referee: TBD
TV Coverage in UK: Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD
Coverage starts at 7:00 PM
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Whether it was a point gained or two dropped yesterday is the discussion for the next PL game ... so let's leave that aside for a few days ...
Next fixture for us is the last group game of Champions League between the two teams already qualified for the next stage ... so a dead rubber basically, except of course if City is to beat Bayern with a 3 goal margin, they could top the group and avoid a last 16 tie against Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG or Atletico Madrid.
Can't really see us doing that, even if Bayern plays their second string team (which I suspect they will) but they are at home and Pep will keep some strength on the bench should the need arise ... I still think, the repercussions of yesterday's draw will be far more serious than whatever happens on Tuesday in CL.
I don't see group positions changing much in the CL groups either in the last group games so it's pretty much dead on one of the four I mentioned for the next stage. It will be either the big two (Barca or Real) or the hot two of this year's CL (Atletico or PSG) ... but let's talk draw post this round of games when we know exactly how the two pots look like.
For now, Pellegrini should use this game to prepare for the Arsenal game ... Silva he said would be fit, so perhaps give him some game time before throwing him in for Arsenal ... but don't play him the full 90 either. From yesterday's game as much was clear that all of Yaya, Aguero, Negredo and Nasri could do with a bit of rest so rest them ... Same goes for Komps, he's played two 90 mins games in four days ... now rest him for this one and play him again against Arsenal on the weekend.
Starting XI should look something like this:
Hart
Richards - Demi - Lescott - Clichy
Rodwell - Garcia
Nasri - Silva - Milner
Dzonkey
Well, I thought I could leave Nasri out but looks like we don't have all that depth we keep thinking we have ... and if this team is put out there, I won't be surprised if instead of winning by a three goal margin, we lose by 2-3 goals again.
Jovetic and Nastasic are both still out and injured ... Oh, so rest Demi and maybe play Boyata if Demi is to play the Arsenal game, although I hope Nasti gets back to partner Komps for that one (because obviously Lescott has no chance).
Score Prediction: I think both teams will be second stringers, and play it like a friendly as neither would want injuries to their players so tempo won't be anything like we would normally except from teams of this stature ... I think it will be a scoring draw: 2-2 (or 1-1).
Allianz Arena, Munich
Tuesday 10 December 2013
Kickoff: 8:45 PM Local Time (7:45 PM GMT - UK Time)
Referee: TBD
TV Coverage in UK: Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports 2 HD
Coverage starts at 7:00 PM
----
Whether it was a point gained or two dropped yesterday is the discussion for the next PL game ... so let's leave that aside for a few days ...
Next fixture for us is the last group game of Champions League between the two teams already qualified for the next stage ... so a dead rubber basically, except of course if City is to beat Bayern with a 3 goal margin, they could top the group and avoid a last 16 tie against Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG or Atletico Madrid.
Can't really see us doing that, even if Bayern plays their second string team (which I suspect they will) but they are at home and Pep will keep some strength on the bench should the need arise ... I still think, the repercussions of yesterday's draw will be far more serious than whatever happens on Tuesday in CL.
I don't see group positions changing much in the CL groups either in the last group games so it's pretty much dead on one of the four I mentioned for the next stage. It will be either the big two (Barca or Real) or the hot two of this year's CL (Atletico or PSG) ... but let's talk draw post this round of games when we know exactly how the two pots look like.
For now, Pellegrini should use this game to prepare for the Arsenal game ... Silva he said would be fit, so perhaps give him some game time before throwing him in for Arsenal ... but don't play him the full 90 either. From yesterday's game as much was clear that all of Yaya, Aguero, Negredo and Nasri could do with a bit of rest so rest them ... Same goes for Komps, he's played two 90 mins games in four days ... now rest him for this one and play him again against Arsenal on the weekend.
Starting XI should look something like this:
Hart
Richards - Demi - Lescott - Clichy
Rodwell - Garcia
Nasri - Silva - Milner
Dzonkey
Well, I thought I could leave Nasri out but looks like we don't have all that depth we keep thinking we have ... and if this team is put out there, I won't be surprised if instead of winning by a three goal margin, we lose by 2-3 goals again.
Jovetic and Nastasic are both still out and injured ... Oh, so rest Demi and maybe play Boyata if Demi is to play the Arsenal game, although I hope Nasti gets back to partner Komps for that one (because obviously Lescott has no chance).
Score Prediction: I think both teams will be second stringers, and play it like a friendly as neither would want injuries to their players so tempo won't be anything like we would normally except from teams of this stature ... I think it will be a scoring draw: 2-2 (or 1-1).