Caporegime
- Joined
- 9 Mar 2006
- Posts
- 58,023
- Location
- Surrey
Valencia was just dire, I'd rather have someone that tried and failed. I can't remember a single time that he ran at the full back and I don't think he did a single cross 
UEFA Champions League/Europa League 18/19/20 October *** Spoilers ***
- Thread starter Cosimo
- Start date
The thing is the way their group is shaping up if they beat Napoli they will be in a strong position to go through, assuming Bayern win all their remaining games that would mean they would only need a point in Villarreal next time out to secure qualification, regardless of the result in the Napoli-Villarreal game. The key thing is to make sure they don't lose in Villarreal, that should keep them in contention.
Obviously the way the fixtures are set out means they will likely go into the final game against Napoli knowing exactly what they need with the future in their hands, it may turn out they don't even need to beat them.
Essentially they've got themselves where they needed to get to, only a point off second place with a 3pt lead over the team behind them, also they don't have a negative goal difference against the team in secondplace which means beating them even by a single goal would see them get the edge if level on points after 6 matches.
Obviously the way the fixtures are set out means they will likely go into the final game against Napoli knowing exactly what they need with the future in their hands, it may turn out they don't even need to beat them.
Essentially they've got themselves where they needed to get to, only a point off second place with a 3pt lead over the team behind them, also they don't have a negative goal difference against the team in secondplace which means beating them even by a single goal would see them get the edge if level on points after 6 matches.
Last edited:
I didn't see City's game (obviously) but if they made hard work of Villarreal at home that would suggest they'll probably draw away, likewise when they go to Napoli. Bayern at home will be tough also. I suspect they will make it through the group in the end but their performances will need to become a lot more convincing than they have been so far and they'll probably need to turn some of those draws into wins.
One last thing on our game and just for the record, our second penalty, dive from Rooney imo
One last thing on our game and just for the record, our second penalty, dive from Rooney imo
It's also entirely possible that they could go to the last round of games already out of the running, or needing an improbable high-scoring win.
Like I said, it's not impossible they won't make it, I just have a feeling they'll miss out.
Like I said, it's not impossible they won't make it, I just have a feeling they'll miss out.
Drawing away at Villarreal should be fine, that keeps them at arms length and puts them level on points with Napoli assuming Bayern beat the Italians. That would then put their future in their hands, they could lose 10-0 to Bayern and Napoli could beat Villarreal 10-0, but all it would need would be for City to sneak a 0-1 in Naples to see them through.
The way the rules are set up for this league it is highly unlikely they would need a high-scoring win from their final game, the only team that goal difference could matter against really would be Bayern, who I don't think they will be competing with realistically (not to say it's impossible though).
The way the rules are set up for this league it is highly unlikely they would need a high-scoring win from their final game, the only team that goal difference could matter against really would be Bayern, who I don't think they will be competing with realistically (not to say it's impossible though).
Last edited:
On the contrary the thing that's made it so difficult for us at home, and what tends not to happen away, is Napoli and Villereal just came and parked a large counter attacking bus. They scored from a very stupid mistake and really only had one chance for the entire game whereas we at least nearly fashioned a few.
I'm still hugely sceptical we'll get out of the group though. We got far and away the very hardest 4th seed team in Napoli, Villereal are the weakest team of the group and they're supposed to be the second best. Unlike a normal CL group with one very good team, one good team and two whipping boys, certainly any of Napoli, Bayern or City could finish in any order. Though realistically it's us and Napoli fighting it out for second. To think we could have had Inter Milan as our 1st seed team, Villereal and Galati. Well, no baptism better than a baptism by fire!
What we absolutely do not want is going into the Europa league. I'd rather drop out all together and put all focus on the league than do that.
Last edited:
Of course the flip side of that is that in theory away games are harder, also will Mancini go for it against Villarreal and select Aguero, Dzeko, Silva & Nasri or will he go back to ultra defensive play for a draw like he did in a lot of games last season? Who knows maybe selecting all those players will even be his downfall for not being defensive enough away at tough places like Villarreal & Napoli
Like I said I reckon you'll get through the group somehow.... and then get Barca in the first knock out round
Oh aye, it's on head-to-head results, isn't it, not overall GD? I forgot all about that.
Of course the flip side of that is that in theory away games are harder, also will Mancini go for it against Villarreal and select Aguero, Dzeko, Silva & Nasri or will he go back to ultra defensive play for a draw like he did in a lot of games last season? Who knows maybe selecting all those players will even be his downfall for not being defensive enough away at tough places like Villarreal & Napoli
Like I said I reckon you'll get through the group somehow.... and then get Barca in the first knock out round
I was hoping we'd get Barca in our group! I wanted the away trip, even though I knew it was just a trip for a spanking. Would have been so much fun. Being completely serious I would love Barcelona as our first knock out game. I really want to go to their stadium, and I want to see that team in the flesh.
Hopefully we won't play Nasri in anything important for the forseeable. He thinks he's at Arsenal, and when the going gets tough he can slip into the shadows and do sod all. Give me James Milner anyday. Mancini won't be dropping that extra man from the midfield any time soon either. Injuries pending we'll be back to Barry and De Jong holding with Yaya pushed into ACM, Silva Aguero and Dzeko as the front three. Funnily enough the City of last season that everyone hated is the perfect CL team, the City team this year everyone still hates but at least can admit we're now very entertaining is **** for it.
Last edited:
Bit lacking in width for my liking, danger of relying on the fullbacks playing high up the pitch (MC have players capable of this, but the cocern would be what the means against the likes of say Bayern with Robben and Ribery out wide).
Well Johnson is terrible if he starts 90% of the time, only a sub player for me now
as he seems to completely have lost the pace he had and no longer uses his tricks to get inside players, possibly Mancini has made him do this.Silva and Nasri are terrible out on the wings so we have to rely on Kol, Clichy and Richards for the attacking and tbh Zaba isn't too bad either.
Anyways, just got back and what a great night, i am guessing it didn't look great on TV as i know there was a few empty seats but the atmosphere was really good!
So disappointed in Dzeko who hasn't looked the same since being dropped for Wigan. Thank goodness we bought Aguero, simply fantastic player.
Too far back this time roundHope you weren't one of the fans throwing things on to the pitch Biz
Still got my bit of paper somewhere though
I am not worried, he just needs another extended run in the team like he had during pre season and then starting the season. I know Mancini was only doing squad rotation but it has seemed to "kill" him.Dont worry about Dzeko, he has a habit of finding his scoring boots when he plays us
Saying that i can't see him starting, Balotelli has been in too good form and really pushes himself in important games (most of the time). I am sure he wants another pop at Rio.
They were throwing rolled up paper as some sort of joke weren't they? While what they done was wrong in the eyes of the officials, it was hardly dangerous so I'm not sure why you hope something is done about it.
Tummy supports Sheffield Wednesday though, why would that matter to him?
I thought he support Man U?