Next: Barcelona (Home) - Champions League

[Sideshow Bob]

do we know anything about Eriksson as a ref? this tie could hinge on whether refs pander to barca's antics.

Know hes had issues with Pep and Barca in the past

that is encouraging.

[ashton287]

Are they not half and half shirts like the scarves? Actually saw some people with half and half City and rag ones last year. Walking a fine line here, Jim Davidson wise, but let's just say they were more likely to be rag fans. I couldn't imagine any born and breed Mancunian of either persuasion wearing one.

Nope just barca shirts. I just don't understand why we would be selling their crap.

[shortagain]

Hart, Zabba, Komps, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Garcia, Yaya, Silva, Jovetic & Negrado for me, playing a very fluid 4-4-2

leaves a bench of Pants, Richards, Kolarov, Lescott, Nasri, Navas, Dzeko

oh and with our massive squad that leaves Wright, Nastastic (injured), Boyata, Rodwell, Milner (suspended) & Kun (injured) unaccounted for

[zuricity]

Hart, Zabba, Komps, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Garcia, Yaya, Silva, Jovetic & Negrado for me, playing a very fluid 4-4-2

leaves a bench of Pants, Richards, Kolarov, Lescott, Nasri, Navas, Dzeko

I think we can pick any 10 and zabs to man mark lionel out of the game, since they both speak the same language, they can chat about the weather etc. No way must Messi be allowed to receive a pass. Everytime it gets played to him we have to not allow it to reach him.

10 against 10 we'll tonk 'em ( i hope !).

[Wonderwall]

Hart, Zabba, Komps, Demichelis, Clichy, Fernandinho, Garcia, Yaya, Silva, Jovetic & Negrado for me, playing a very fluid 4-4-2

leaves a bench of Pants, Richards, Kolarov, Lescott, Nasri, Navas, Dzeko

I think we can pick any 10 and zabs to man mark lionel out of the game, since they both speak the same language, they can chat about the weather etc. No way must Messi be allowed to receive a pass. Everytime it gets played to him we have to not allow it to reach him.

10 against 10 we'll tonk 'em ( i hope !).

Zabs will more than likely have to worry about Neymar, Messi will be given a free role as a false 9, thats why he is difficult to mark, if is man for man, it has to be Either Garcia or Fernandinho whoever gets the nod

[zuricity]

Zabs will more than likely have to worry about Neymar, Messi will be given a free role as a false 9, thats why he is difficult to mark, if is man for man, it has to be Either Garcia or Fernandinho whoever gets the nod

True, ferdi is certainly very good at picking the ball off players and like lionel can turn on a beer mat.

If anything we need messi to have to go back into his own half for the ball.

[Risby]

Zabs will more than likely have to worry about Neymar, Messi will be given a free role as a false 9, thats why he is difficult to mark, if is man for man, it has to be Either Garcia or Fernandinho whoever gets the nod

True, ferdi is certainly very good at picking the ball off players and like lionel can turn on a beer mat. If anything we need messi to have to go back into his own half for the ball.

They are going to be dangerous no matter who we put in whichever position. They have quality players everywhere.

I think it will come down to our mental state. Our lads have to go in to the game believing they can win and be aggressive like we were on Saturday.
The first 10 minutes will tell us what to expect. I hope we exert our physicality on them early and we start quickly.

[bayblue]

They are going to be dangerous no matter who we put in whichever position. They have quality players everywhere. I think it will come down to our mental state. Our lads have to go in to the game believing they can win and be aggressive like we were on Saturday. The first 10 minutes will tell us what to expect. I hope we exert our physicality on them early and we start quickly.

Totally agree. Need all ten outfield players pressing hard, and for whoever the two are who start up front not to allow Barca to control the ball out from the back as Bayern did against us.

[phips]

on the surface it seems like a tough line up to choose...with Garcia back with a full 95 competitive mins under his belt, Nasri back with only 35 competitive mins under his belt, and Fernandinho also back but with 0 competitive mins under his belt the midfield is a tough one to predict.

do we go 4-4-2?

Hart
Zaba VK DM Kolarov
Yaya Garcia/Fern
Nasri/Navas Silva
Jovetic Negredo

or 4-5-1?

Hart
Zaba VK DM Kolarov
Garcia Fern
Navas/Nasri Yaya Silva
Negredo

or any other combo...

I might be inclined to go with:

Hart
Zaba VK DM Kolarov
Garcia
Fern Yaya
Navas Silva
Negredo


I would prefer Lescott but Pellegrini loves Marty for some reason. given Barca's lack of heigh (unless Puyol plays) Navas' crosses could be dangerous. Nasri i dont think will be fit enough to play a full match so he'll prob be a second half sub. if Fern doesnt start then Jovetic will come in for him

[Hutch's Shoulder]

Sunday papers said Zabba wanted to take Messi for fish and chips in Didsbury. That should put a stop to his tricks.

[AG7]

do we know anything about Eriksson as a ref? this tie could hinge on whether refs pander to barca's antics.

Jonas Eriksson was previously in charge of a City game, the 1-1 draw against Napoli in 2011.

[Alex Sapphire]

do we know anything about Eriksson as a ref? this tie could hinge on whether refs pander to barca's antics.

Jonas Eriksson was previously in charge of a City game, the 1-1 draw against Napoli in 2011.

he has previous with Barca

Grumpy Catalans

[lets all have a disco]

Its a cold wet night in Manchester nice for training,get the Barca players chilled to the bone.

[City64]

Wow , are we really here ???

Sometimes you have to pinch yourself these days being a true City fan with all the glamour and prestige week after week , it is truely awesome.Tomorrow night will we see how good Barca really are or not ! Pellegrini has always been very upbeat about this fixture , i get the feeling he really fancies our chances over two legs against them and why not ? we are almost full strength again and our performance in Munich really rubber stamped our pedigree in the CL . Also i believe we have been holding back a tad in reserve in recent weeks with this fixture (Barca) in the forefront of all plans . Not to be missed .......


COME ON CITY !

[london blue 2]

I think id like to see

Pants (won't happen)
Zab kompany lescott Clichy
Garcia Fernando
Yaya
Silva Nasri
Dzeko

[Sideshow Bob]

prob won't see much of the ball. may only get 2 or 3 good chances to score. and yet some of you want dzeko to start??

[AG7]

I still think we'll pull out Aguero out of Pellegrini's magic hat tomorrow ...

And if not, then it's probably a blessing in disguise as that could force Pelligrini's hand to putting an extra body in the midfield (or if he really wants to stick to his 2 up front, even then Jovetic starting could be at least half an extra body in the midfield, as he drops deep to help out) ...

Hart
Zaba - Komps - Demi - Kola
Garcia - Ferdy
Nasri - Yaya - Silva
Negredo

(or drop Garcia and push Yaya back with Ferdy, and play Jovetic in behind the Beast)

Fuck ... who's gonna sleep tonight ...

[london blue 2]

prob won't see much of the ball. may only get 2 or 3 good chances to score. and yet some of you want dzeko to start??

Unfortunately negredo looks completely out of sorts atm and jovetic won't offer much as an out ball. Hope I'm proved wrong though.

[City64]

Wow , are we really here ???

Sometimes you have to pinch yourself these days being a true City fan with all the glamour and prestige week after week , it is truely awesome.Tomorrow night will we see how good Barca really are or not ! Pellegrini has always been very upbeat about this fixture , i get the feeling he really fancies our chances over two legs against them and why not ? we are almost full strength again and our performance in Munich really rubber stamped our pedigree in the CL . Also i believe we have been holding back a tad in reserve in recent weeks with this fixture (Barca) in the forefront of all plans . Not to be missed .......


COME ON CITY !

Also this current Barca team ISNT the Barca team of 2 or 3 years ago and Negredo is due a goal or two !

[Sideshow Bob]

prob won't see much of the ball. may only get 2 or 3 good chances to score. and yet some of you want dzeko to start??

Unfortunately negredo looks completely out of sorts atm and jovetic won't offer much as an out ball. Hope I'm proved wrong though.

negredo was poor for a couple of games but he looked much better on saturday. he will be ready for barca, I'm sure of it.