Next: Bayern Munich (Away) - Champions League

[AG7]

FC 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

----

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).

[AG7]

Can anyone post the permutations for the Arsenal's group? They haven't qualified yet and can't afford to play second stringers keeping our game in mind ... plus we play Tue and they play Wed so good for us as we are able to rest players, have an extra day and playing at home and also this weekend we played a day before them and surely Everton had them running around quite a bit today ...

[Bleed_Blue]

FC Bayern Munchen v Manchester City FC
Hart
Richards - Demi - Lescott - Clichy
Rodwell - Garcia
Nasri - Silva - Milner
Dzonkey

Ahh finally to get over the draw, thanks for starting this thread.

I guess the line up is more important in this game after terrible getting overrun last time in midfield

Hart
Richards - Kompany - Lescott - Clichy
Rodwell - Fern
Milner - Nasri - Silva
Dzeko

Hope there is no Garcia

[ashton287]

Rest them all and send whatever kids we have registered in the CL squad.

[Green & Blue]

Would expect a relatively week team.Hopefully see Rodwell get a start.What's the situation with Jovetic is he available?

[Nigels Tackle]

hoping that garcia refuses to warm up...

[gmercer1]

Wasn't Jovetic supposed to be fit same time as Silva?

[Sideshow Bob]

Rest them all and send whatever kids we have registered in the CL squad.

This. Enough with chasing the top of group fantasy.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

The tenor of Pellers' press conference a while ago was that we would go for top of group if Bayern dropped points in Moscow but otherwise Arsenal would be priority. Therefore I expect changes, but his approach seems to he to rest players half way through a game do I wouldn't be surprised to see a few A-listers start and be replaced early plus done of the B-team.

[freshie]

hoping that garcia refuses to warm up...

Haha

[FA cup winners 2006]

Am I the only one who thinks we should really go for this. Pellegrini is saying all the right things that he is thinking more about the arsenal game but I hope he is getting the players up for the game, bayern wont be expecting it and we may catch them unaware

[AG7]

Am I the only one who thinks we should really go for this. Pellegrini is saying all the right things that he is thinking more about the arsenal game but I hope he is getting the players up for the game, bayern wont be expecting it and we may catch them unaware

Yes ...

I mean, yes, you are the only one thinking this, not yes we should go for it ;)

[lets all have a disco]

They will play a second 11,so should we.

[Twobob]

None of our key first team players should play, or as few as possible. If Silva is fit then maybe gie him a run out first half to stretch the legs. So hopefully Demi and Garcia will get 90mins

[PrezIke]

a loss likely that we all know means little unless winning somehow creates momentum. will be interesting to see how pellegrini chooses the team. we're already in, but want a decent showing to make up for things.

[aaron bond]

Definitely some squad rotation required for this game. We have already qualified and with Arsenal just a few days afterwards, that has to be the priority, as it essential we beat Arsenal. Players like Aguero, Yaya etc. should be rested.

I would play Kompany and Lescott at the back for this game, so that they get a match together before both lining up against Arsenal. But as that is the sensible option to improve ourselves defensively, Pellegrini won't do that...

[Tesl]

Am I the only one who thinks we should really go for this. Pellegrini is saying all the right things that he is thinking more about the arsenal game but I hope he is getting the players up for the game, bayern wont be expecting it and we may catch them unaware

You might be the only one, sorry.

I hope we don't play anyone who is expected to play against Arsenal, so a total second string. I won't watch this game (its about 4am my time and I don't usually bother watching CL games) and I don't care what the result is particularly. All I care about is beating Arsenal at the weekend!

[zuricity]

They will play a second 11,so should we.

They don't have a strong enough squad to play a second eleven.

I think we should look for the win too, just to remind them that we are here to stay ( in the CL).

[Goaters 103]

We should wheel out the Gnomes for this one - Micah, Boyata, Lescott, Clichy, Garcia, Rodwell, Guidetti, Dzeko etc.

We can field our top team, give it 150%, and we still wouldnt beat Bayern. Id rather play a stronger team at Leicester than in this one. Kompany, Ferna, Sergio and Samir shouldnt be anywhere near the field given the Arsenal game which is a huge one for us.

[Feed The Goat]

Lets go and win 3 0 give the travelling fans something to watch and not have them watching a training game