CSKA Moscow v MAN CITY – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
22 Oct
Neither Vincent Kompany nor Martin Demichelis have travelled to Russia for this Champions League encounter, leaving Manuel Pellegrini with a choice between Javi Garcia and Joleon Lescott to partner Matija Nastasic at centre-back. The thought of the Spaniard in that role in a crucial match isn’t exactly a convincing one and it would be a harsh slur on Lescott if he were to miss out. Pablo Zabaleta is expected to replace Micah Richards at right-back with Aleks Kolarov coming into the side in place of Gael Clichy on the left.
After sitting out the victory over West Ham, Jesus Navas is a contender to start, while James Milner is also a possibility in this potentially demanding away fixture. Edin Dzeko was bafflingly favoured ahead of Alvaro Negredo against Bayern Munich on the last matchday in this competition but with the Spaniard forming such an effective partnership with Sergio Aguero, it would be madness to introduce the Bosnian at this stage.
Here is the side Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Oviliu Alin Hategan (Romania)
Prediction: CSKA Moscow 0 – 2 MAN CITY – The home side have struggled of late and we just seem to be clicking at the right time. Should we cope with what is bound to be an intimidating atmosphere, our quality should shine. Goals to be scored by Sergio Aguero and Yaya Touré.
The pitch could be the winner VfaB.
Apart from the almost worn out surface the weather conditions at present are grim From the texts I’ve received from a couple of friends already out there already, nobody is permitted to train on it, in contravention of Eufa rules, because it is already a ploughed field and such is the waterlogged state that it is likely to turn into a quagmire if training takes place. They officials must be praying the rain stops and the drainage works! The locals apparently don’t give it better than 50/50 to finish if it even kicks off.
Uefa have made monkeys out of themselves again, but will probably insist it goes ahead to save face.
Whoops – did I use the ‘M’ word. I must instantly apologise.
Er, if I have unintentionally offended any monkeys out there by likening them to Uefa officials I offer my humble regrets and apologise unreservedly.
Alph
Damn – when will I learn to prood read before hitting send ?
I’d play
Hart
Zabaleta Micah Lescott Kolorov
Ferna Yaya
Nasri Jovetic Silva
Dzeko
Good mixture of defensive and attacking skill from the back with Zabs and Kolorov over-lapping nicely.The usual double pivot operating in the middle of the park controlling the game against a team in poor form. An attacking 3 of Nasri Jovetic and Silvs allowing the overlaps from the fullbacks, unlike Navas who sticks wide and runs which won’t be too easy on the poor conditions of the pitch the attacking midfielders have the eye for a pass and clinical finishing needed for the CL, and Dzeko to start as he in my opinion seems to flourish away from home and playing with his fellow balkan’s kolorov and jovetic could see the Dzeko from pre-season return.
Almost impossible to drop Aguero in such an important game. Pelle doesn’t see Richards as a centre half although I think most of us would prefer to see him there over Garcia. I would go for Navas or Milner or the right, 2 different players I know but both have a lot to offer
If the pitch remains the same, Hell I would drop Aguero, Negredo and Silva rather than risking those 3 for long injury periods
Have to agree with BB here.
The field will be a leveller, they are used to this, we are not. Despite this we have the skills and should make the chances. It won’t be an arena for the fainter hearted. I like what I have seen of Naz this season but wouldn’t go there tonight, I’d keep seeing visions of that defensive wall! It’s likely to be a place for warriors with broadswords rather than ballet dancers with rapiers.
I’d put Zaba, Fernie, Kun, Negredo and James Milner in this category. I’d not contemplate going into a game like this in the known circumstances without Milner’s energy and commitment which is now complemented by ever improving skills. I like ‘Hey Zeus’ a lot and no slight on Zues’s character, but I can’t see this being a game made for him?
We have to get something out of this game or risk falling at the firt hurdle again, we don’t want it coming down to goal difference do we? That means we play Aguero surely. Pellers will go with Edin although I’d prefer a snorting bull to the rather more cultured but less aggressive contribution of Edin.
Why UEFA would insist that such a match be played in such a pitch is beneath my comprehension. Given the state of the pitch, i just hope our players would be injury-free. So i’d throw in Dzeko , Jovetic and Nasri as our attacking 3. Just cos of the pitch