No need to be concerned. It’s going to happen. Move on to acceptance.My only concern is that this team is going to get gutted in the off season.
No need to be concerned. It’s going to happen. Move on to acceptance.My only concern is that this team is going to get gutted in the off season.
I dont know where all this pessimism for Spurs comes from (I guess I do, it’s history but City are no slouch there) but they’re in a great position. They can pack it in and seek to defend while hoping to nick one in the counter. Plenty of teams play City this way and few of them have the talent Spurs will put on the pitch. City have to chase the game with an eye on 2 or 3 goals so the counter will be there. Then you factor in needing to be clinical with whichever chances City do create and they stand a hell of a shot. Keeping City off the scoresheet was such a huge development, they just need an away goal now to make things incredibly complicated. I can’t believe how much I’m reading about City overwhelming them I’m scared shitless for this gameAt least TNT is airing the right game today (City vs Spurs).
I expect City to be too much for Spurs today. Spurs might put one in, but I think we'll see 3 goals for City.
Beyond the general Spursiness Tottenham's recent history against City was very poor. Before last week City had basically played Spurs off the park in their last three meetings.I dont know where all this pessimism for Spurs comes from (I guess I do, it’s history but City are no slouch there) but they’re in a great position. They can pack it in and seek to defend while hoping to nick one in the counter. Plenty of teams play City this way and few of them have the talent Spurs will put on the pitch. City have to chase the game with an eye on 2 or 3 goals so the counter will be there. Then you factor in needing to be clinical with whichever chances City do create and they stand a hell of a shot. Keeping City off the scoresheet was such a huge development, they just need an away goal now to make things incredibly complicated. I can’t believe how much I’m reading about City overwhelming them I’m scared shitless for this game
But Spurs also went into Barcelona and grinded out a result. I feel like they’ve been adept at that in recent years. Certainly have plenty of large, physical players to goon a match up and just try to stifle free flowing play. I think pochettino is a really strong manager and while Spurs generally struggle against City because they actually try to play football they won’t be naive here given what is on the line. A well setup and stout Spurs team that needs to avoid conceding 2 is in my view a really good position to be in. Fundamentally City could play a fantastic match and just not do enough. Any hit on the counter by Spurs nearly ends the tie especially the later in the match it isBeyond the general Spursiness Tottenham's recent history against City was very poor. Before last week City had basically played Spurs off the park in their last three meetings.
City face this question every week and after all the success I think it’s fair to say that while you don’t think of the two lightweight attacking CMs and Fernandinho as enough of a midfield it always seems to be due to the nature of the press. City tend to accumulate fouls by being aggressive in the tackle immediately after possession loss and it gives everyone time to recover. Also the way Pep has modified using his fullbacks means that Fernandinho usually has two others in support.When a combination of Aguero/Jesus, KDB, Bernardo, Sterling, Mahrez, and/or Sane is coming at you, it's fair to be scared shitless. Funny enough, I think Spurs may have a chance to overwhelm the MF if City try to force too many attackers on the field and sacrifice real team shape.
Other than Fernandinho, who is going to help win the middle of the park? I'm a huge fan of Bernardo and he does track back fairly well, but if KDB, Sane, Sterling, or Mahrez start, none of those guys is going to get stuck in. For example, if it's Dinho, Silva, and KDB, there should be space for the Spurs front 2/3 to receive the ball, turn, and run at the defense:
Ederson
Mendy-LaPorte-Stones-Walker
Dinho
Silva-KDB
Bernardo-Aguero/Jesus-Sterling
Spurs will likely try to gum up the middle with Sissoko and Eriksen, but I wonder if Poch tries to get Wanyama out there as well for a double pivot:
Hugo
Trippier-Jan-Toby-Davies
Rose-Sissoko-Wanyama
Eriksen
Dele-Son
The only other formation I could see would involve bringing on another CB (Sanchez/Foyth), but then you almost have to sit either Trippier or Rose because they would get too congested:
Hugo
Jan-Toby-Sanchez/Foyth
Rose-Sissoko-Wanyama-Davies
Eriksen
Dele-Son
I think the latter is my preference because Wanyama >>> Trippier in this match.
I think this is right BTW, but it depends on if KDB and/or Bernardo are told to stay forward. The holding nature of Pep's FBs is a huge shift from his Barca and Bayern days, but that may be a personnel choice rather than tactical. With Spurs unlikely to get wingers forward, this may play more like a 2-3-2-3 in defense (WM or MW, I always get them confused):City face this question every week and after all the success I think it’s fair to say that while you don’t think of the two lightweight attacking CMs and Fernandinho as enough of a midfield it always seems to be due to the nature of the press. City tend to accumulate fouls by being aggressive in the tackle immediately after possession loss and it gives everyone time to recover. Also the way Pep has modified using his fullbacks means that Fernandinho usually has two others in support.
I would expect Wanyama on for Spurs today tbh and if Pep doesn’t select Sane for this I may blow a gasket. As good as David Silva is, he’s been really off form. I’d have Bernardo in the midfield with KDB and Sane and Sterling spreading play instead of the way they played in first leg. Sterling left and Bernardo right means wingers cutting inside and Spurs will have plenty of bodies there. Pep doesn’t bomb his fullbacks on like he used to teams can just let those inverted wingers run into traffic and try to place shots through traffic. I think City will have to take the wingers outside and seek to score more of those cutback across the box goals that have become their bread and butter.
I've done it with no issues. Definitely worth the price, I wish this option was more readily available for all sports. COYS!Has anyone used a paid B/R (Bleacher Report) stream? I'm seeing that they are offering a $2.99 option for today's Liverpool-Porto match which seems reasonable but not sure of the quality or safety.
https://live.bleacherreport.com/
I think Bernardo tends to play too centrally to be considered a true wide player. He's not really even an inverted winger, just a midfielder that will shade to one side. Putting him out on the touchline wastes his defensive and possession abilities.I think we just posted past each other but there is no midfield overload for City. Bernardo will hug the right side. If anything Spurs will have a numerical advantage depending on how/where Alli and Eriksen play
Winks is out, injured. Would have been huge in this game, but hope Vic's muscle and (fingers crossed) fitness can make up for Winks' ball movement.I'm surprised by Wanyama's inclusion over Winks.
I've always liked him a great deal, but his selection is inconsistent with the team setup. In other words, City are going to press high and want possession (no Dinho). That typically involves playing a higher defensive line and an older slower CB like Kompany could be a liability. He's no slouch, but the margins could be thin today. Or, you know, Aguero nets a hat trick in the first half.Kompany is this team’s leader and brings an intensity to the squad. He’s been used like this in derbies and what not in prior seasons and the squad usually responds. He’s still a great defender the worry is having to burn a sub early
And Spurs are playing a diamond in midfield, which is a narrow formation that gives Trippier less support.Trippier cannot hang with Sterling at all. Ederson could've killed Son on that long ball.