Man City Build-up

[Matt]

Been pretty quiet in here what with the international break. Anyway we do have a game coming up before Real Madrid (and that's covered - I will personally be scouting them at their game on Saturday night) against Citeh so what will Rafa do - strongest available XI?

Who's suspended/injured? Alonso, Lucas and Gerrard?

What will the formation be?

[wiw]

Alonso is, Lucas isn't. Gerrard maybe on the bench?

Whoever didn't get a game in the internationals I would imagine will defo play

[meffin]

gerrard wont be on the bench

[jakle]

With Gerrard most likely out injured and Alonso suspended our midfield is looking a little light on in this match. Rafa might look at Aurelio for another start in midfield alongside Mascherano. A central midfield pairing of Lucas and Mash doesn't fill me with a great deal of excitement and if memory serves me correctly hasn't been a great success when tried on previous occasions. Other than that selection dilemna i have little doubt that Rafa will pick the strongest possible team for this match.

Also, on a side note why aren't we playing City on Saturday in order to allow us an extra days rest before the Madrid match. Correct me if i am wrong but most teams involved in the Champions league in Italy and Spain all seem to play on the saturday before a tie. But i guess TV rules the sporting world in England so there is no use in whining about it.

[Matt]

So...

Reina
Arbeloa
Carra
Skrtel
Aurelio

Benayoun
Lucas
Mascher
Riera

Kuyt
Torres

Not what I'd go for personally but I wouldn't be surprised to see it.

[wiw]

So...

Reina
Arbeloa
Carra
Skrtel
Aurelio

Benayoun
Lucas
Mascher
Riera

Kuyt
Torres

Not what I'd go for personally but I wouldn't be surprised to see it.

Maybe swap Kuyt with Benny cos of Robinho, but I can't see it not being those players

[memzey]

Could well be that line up but deployed a bit differently:

The defense picks itself. The midfield onwards:

--------Masch----Lucas--------

Kuyt--------Benayoun-------Riera

-------------Torres-------------

[cled the red]

With Gerrard most likely out injured and Alonso suspended our midfield is looking a little light on in this match. Rafa might look at Aurelio for another start in midfield alongside Mascherano. A central midfield pairing of Lucas and Mash doesn't fill me with a great deal of excitement and if memory serves me correctly hasn't been a great success when tried on previous occasions. Other than that selection dilemna i have little doubt that Rafa will pick the strongest possible team for this match.

Also, on a side note why aren't we playing City on Saturday in order to allow us an extra days rest before the Madrid match. Correct me if i am wrong but most teams involved in the Champions league in Italy and Spain all seem to play on the saturday before a tie. But i guess TV rules the sporting world in England so there is no use in whining about it.

They are playing in the UEFA Cup Thursday night.

[jakle]

Thanks for that Cled. I forgot all about the Uefa Cup kicking off a week earlier than the Champions League.

[ntto]

i have a suspicion torres will be on the bench

[Matt]

Fair points on the Kuyt/Benni switch - I'd much prefer to see that anyway.

i have a suspicion torres will be on the bench

I doubt it, especially considering the lack of Gerrard or Alonso and there's no legitimate reason to leave him out.

[The_weatherman]

Could well be that line up but deployed a bit differently:

The defense picks itself. The midfield onwards:

--------Masch----Lucas--------

Kuyt--------Benayoun-------Riera

-------------Torres-------------

I reckon that's what we will see, hopefully Agger will start in defence though in the absence of Xabi it would be useful to let him carry the ball into midfield.

[Craig_H]

With Gerrard most likely out injured and Alonso suspended our midfield is looking a little light on in this match. Rafa might look at Aurelio for another start in midfield alongside Mascherano. A central midfield pairing of Lucas and Mash doesn't fill me with a great deal of excitement and if memory serves me correctly hasn't been a great success when tried on previous occasions. Other than that selection dilemna i have little doubt that Rafa will pick the strongest possible team for this match.

Also, on a side note why aren't we playing City on Saturday in order to allow us an extra days rest before the Madrid match. Correct me if i am wrong but most teams involved in the Champions league in Italy and Spain all seem to play on the saturday before a tie. But i guess TV rules the sporting world in England so there is no use in whining about it.

I thought the game was moved to Sunday because of City's UEFA Cup involvement? Maybe i'm wrong, but the game isnt being shown live on tv in the UK, so the switch isnt for tv reasons.

In terms of the team, i'd go for:

Reina
Carragher Agger Skrtel Arbeloa
Mascherano Aurelio
Kuyt Benayoun Riera
Torres

Why is Alonso suspended? He's not been sent off. Is it for 5 yellows and therefore just a one game ban?

We should be looking to smash City.

[wiw]

Yeah for yellows Craig..doesn't kick in for 10 days so he just scraped the Pompey game

[andrewces38]

I thought the game was moved to Sunday because of City's UEFA Cup involvement? Maybe i'm wrong, but the game isnt being shown live on tv in the UK, so the switch isnt for tv reasons.

In terms of the team, i'd go for:

Reina
Carragher Agger Skrtel Arbeloa
Mascherano Aurelio
Kuyt Benayoun Riera
Torres

Why is Alonso suspended? He's not been sent off. Is it for 5 yellows and therefore just a one game ban?

We should be looking to smash City.

I would nearly go along with that team,Aurelio did enough against Pompy to warrant a start in midfield, I also think Insua will come back in considering he was playing really well before joining up with Argentina