Next: Bayern Munich (Home) - Champions League

[AG7]

Manchester City v Bayern München
Etihad Stadium, City of Manchester

Wednesday 2 October 2013
Kickoff: 7:45PM


We better fucking win this one ... of course, I am still fuming over last night.
Since we are obviously giving CL preference over PL this season, we better top this group and get into the next draw as a seeded team and avoid getting a Barca or Real Madrid in the very next round ... so got to win this home game against Pep's pups.

Aguero, Silva, Clichy and Lescott to come in for sure based on last night's selection (and performance)?

This's how I'd like us to line up ...

Hart
Zaba - Komps - Lescott - Clichy
Yaya - Dinho
Navas - Nasri - Silva
Aguero

But what we've seen from Pelligrini so far, won't surprise me at all if I see Nasti keeps his place ahead of Lescott and also two strikers up front and either of Nasri/Silva to take the bench, with Aguero dropping deep and possibly Negredo up front.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

I am happy with that but suspect we will see either Dzeko or Negredo start.

[Alex Sapphire]

so the OP's minimum expectation is that we beat the European Champions, top our Group, then enjoy a lucky draw.
I thnk you may need to prepare yourself for some more disappointment.

[phips]

I am happy with that but suspect we will see either Dzeko or Negredo start.

agreed

[ruralblue]

We'll hammer them. True to form we will play spectacular then probably drop a fucking bollock against Everton next week.

Wish to see Serg and Negredo start up top.

[Blue Since 76]

I'd take a point now. Suspect Plzen will lose all their games, so the win there was meaningless (although we'd have been in trouble if we hadn't won). A point against Bayern and hoping they beat Moscow twice and it's in our own hands - 4 points against Moscow and we're through.

Moscow is having to play in St Petersburg this week against Plzen and it's likely our game against them will be moved there as well. Them playing on a neutral ground should give us the advantage we need this season, so we need to make the most of it.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

When I said I was happy with that I meant the proposed team. I do not expect us to top the group, that will be Bayern. I went to the Allianz Arena in May when on holiday in Munich and they are way ahead of us in infrastructure and history (not that I place a lot of value on history in head to head games, but that's another topic). I will be happy with second in the group.

[AG7]

While this game is on Sky, Sky HD and Sky 3D ... the earlier City EDS vs. Bayern Munich in the UEFA Youth League will also be live on British Eurosport this Wednesday (3pm kickoff), so those wanting to watch Patrick Vieira and his boys in action can do so (or put it on record, like me since I'll be driving up for the later game).

[Beefymcfc]

I think we can get something from this and the lads will step it up because of the opposition. However, we need to cover the middle ground and if we get a lead don't go all out attack for another.

Oh, and don't take off our most creative players. Thanks

[Clowncrete]

Dzeko does have a good record against Bayern. Is Silva fit?

[AG7]

Oh, and don't take off our most creative players. Thanks

He took him off perhaps to keep him fresh for this one ... ;)

[AG7]

Dzeko does have a good record against Bayern. Is Silva fit?

Silva should be ready and fit but he's not had much of game practice lately and his form even before going off wasn't all that great so if it's a one creative player in there with Navas and Aguero and Negredo (or Dzeko) up front then I'd rather that person be Nasri and not Silva ...

[sheblue]

Lescott won't start.
It will be either nasri or silva.
We're good enough to beat them.

[phips]

i believe Bayern is fully fit. Gotze is just coming back from injury though.

i feel like Pep will line them up like this:

Neuer
Lahm Boateng Dante Alaba
Schweinsteiger
Kroos Muller
Robben Ribery
Mandzukic

[MilnersJaw]

Even if silver is fit, maybe we should stick with nasri since he is in form. I wanted the girl gone but he has earned his bread this season, not the full loaf yet though.

[Beefymcfc]

Oh, and don't take off our most creative players. Thanks

He took him off perhaps to keep him fresh for this one ... ;)

That didn't quite work out so I want to see him on there until we're at least 2 up and then if there's a change to be made, ensure he shores up the central midfield area.

Saying that, if we spank them then he can do whatever he wants ;-)

[Breks]

We are well capable of beating them. It would be typical City to lose to villa then go and beat the european champions.

[AG7]

Björn Kuipers (Netherlands) has been appointed the referee for this game. A fairly lenient referee who only sent 2 players off last season.

So does having a Dutch referee against a German club work in our favour?

[littlebig]

Björn Kuipers (Netherlands) has been appointed the referee for this game. A fairly lenient referee who only sent 2 players off last season.

So does having a Dutch referee against a German club work in our favour?

It shouldn't if the ref is impartial but I'd say yes as I'm guessing the Dutch aren't massively fond of ze Germans. Any opinions here on how the Dutch view their neighbours?

This ain't on ITV or any free TV channels?

[Ted Hughes]

Don't like the idea of a dwarf team v Bayern. They are specialists at set pieces.

Need Negredo or Dzeko to play imo.