A draw at this point of time will do.
Mikel picked up a 4-4-2 today, Calafiori and Timber on either side of defensive line, Declan Rice and Partey anchoring the midfield with Martinelli and Saka on the wings. Trossard and Havertz lead the line.
We are 20 minutes into the match and Haaland has already scored one and Gundogan could have scored 2 more on any other day. City are fearless today, they have started a perfect game today and we are struggling in front of the best team in Premier league. And they are without their best player in De Bruyne.
WE need to re-group, start pressing and shed some of that fear. Thomas Partey is looking a bit lively but we need 10 more lively players on the pitch.
There’s still 70 odd minutes to go. Lets work towards a point at least.
Sky have just re-shown the Doku incident – if ones a booking so’s the other.
Ben White is ON for Saka.
Oliver’s successfully secured an upgrade on his flight and hotel for his next visit to the UAE. Fucking twat
Marc—I think it’s more about the fact that Tross double-dipped with the back elbowing and the time wasting…tough to have your cake and eat it too when you’re already on a yellow
Regarding the set piece goal , the technique was Martinelli obstructed goalkeeper from moving right and goalkeeper crumbled on the ground to draw a foul. Jover realises Big Gabriel is best header so the rest move around to provide space to Gabriel to head in.
Gyan from replay
TRVL
VAR have confirmed the card was for delaying the kickoff.
Almost 8 players in a line there – we can’t drop so deep it just allows the ball to drop onrushing players.
Yeah, VAR should also confirm why Doku didn’t get one. Twats in the VAR room as well
This 5-4 set up might do us a favor, Pep would have not prepared that.
The assistant on the far side is going to eat some of that Cake too.
Oliver waves play on but line-o persuades him it’s a foul. Breathtaking.
Yeah, that linesman is trying to get a rise in paycheck today. Martinelli left the ball and it was a throw for City?
Calafiori saved the day. It was instictive
Italians are quite tactically sound
Raya is going to do that a lot today.
Marc—of course VAR has to identify the singular reasoning behind the second yellow, but I think it’s more nuamced than that…first he brought the refs eyes towards him with the overly aggressive play, then he proceeded to inflame the situation by kicking the ball away…just not a very savvy maneuver on his part considering the circumstances
nuanced
we should be elated if we can leave with a point, let alone all 3…we must show some inkling of an offence or this will get exceedingly more difficult
“The frustration around the Etihad grows”
That’s the only thing they know, because we have been singing more with 1/20th of the fans in red and white. Fuck them.
TRVL
I think the plan is to let Martinelli go back in the attack, Rice has tried a few times but Kyle Walker isn’t letting Martinelli run with the ball
But, yeah. It’s getting harder.
Could not see what happened to Raya.
Time wasting and some breathing time.
if we can keep them on the perimeter our biggest enemy might be a deflected shot
Pep’s general disdain for crosses against a parked bus might be our greatest ally
I think martinelli needs to come off
Kiwior coming on for Calafiori.
Calafiori is injured. And Kwilor who remained unsold coming in.
El B has bucket load of Karma
Timber’s fancy footwork is much more on display when he’s being deployed on his proper side
15 more min.. come on lads.
Raya thing sounds plausible
Thanks Ambarish.