Who should start on Wednesday in the middle?

[MattB]

If fit. I assume he must be injured, again, as that can be the only rational explanation for Riise's selection.

Or Rafa felt that Riise is more suited to an overly physical game - as we are used to seeing from the *cough* school of science *cough*

[Roboklopp]

xabs

[simey85]

Thought lucas had a horrendous 20min spell in the 1st half but did ok after it. Its a no brainer he will go with the experience of Xabi even though he is not in the most sparkling form of his life!

[frank the tank]

if there a case for changing the system slightly and going with all 3 in the away leg:

----------------REINA------------------

CARRA-----SKRTEL---HYYPIA----AURELIO

----ALONSO---MASCHERANO--LUCAS----

GERRARD--------------------------BABEL

---------------TORRES------------------

[rage]

i would no way start lucas never mind play him on the left of a midfield 3 to shift gerrard to the right. lucas has been poor and is no way ready for a game this big. i also question babel's ability in the big games and would play yossi instead bringin babel on 2nd half.

Hell i'd rather play 442 with torres and crouch upfront and give them something to worry about else they'll pass us off the park.

[G]

Alonso all the way.Lucas has a lot to learn.Gave the ball away alot yesterday,misplacing even short passes,he has potential though.

[frank the tank]

i will say one thing though.......i reckon mascher is gonna have a storming game - he's gonna be so focused ever since the manc game.....he'll be ****in itching to get us to the cl final.....can you bet on man-of-the-match???? he woud deffo be worth a punt....

just as well pc plod didnt post this cos mascherano would have probably got sent off..... (probably will regardless now)

[kop-al-74]

Alonso for me.

[Joe King]

Alonso for me. Knows this stage, experience will be very key on Wednesday night.

[-V-]

i would no way start lucas never mind play him on the left of a midfield 3 to shift gerrard to the right. lucas has been poor and is no way ready for a game this big

Thats a bit harsh dont you think? Obviously you didnt watch the Inter Milan games in the last round where Lucas bossed them. Did you watch the first last round of the compitition?

[Matt]

If fit. I assume he must be injured, again, as that can be the only rational explanation for Riise's selection.

Thought the same but he's made of glass so a derby would surely have ruled him out the rest of the season.

Fabio at left back and it wont happen but Benny for Kuyt.

[rage]

Thats a bit harsh dont you think? Obviously you didnt watch the Inter Milan games in the last round where Lucas bossed them. Did you watch the first last round of the compitition?

the italians were slow though, arsenal are a premiership team. Also earlier this season i thought alonso had the measure of fabregas until he was subbed and then they scored.

I really must be missing something about lucas. One thing for sure is that if that's the level of a future brazil midfield i'm not scared in the least.

Maybe he'll come good, maybe he won't but Wednesday night isn't when we should try to find out

[Marky]

No disrespect to Lucas, he's doing alright but Mascherano and Alonso every time.
Esp in a game like this.

[Nicey]

Xabi obviously ... lucas on the bench though

[Dhav]

Xabi and Mascher. Dont even think there is any room for debate to be honest with you.