Closed Man City v Chelsea

[Myself 793]

Why does the match thread say live? I got scared for a second

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

3 players who can't defend seems a bit excessive for an away game against strong opposition - nervous about this one.

Maybe I'm misreading but isn't the need to be excessive because they can't defend?

[jmarlow 458]

are City actually starting with Fernandinho - Toure in CM one only fouls the other is lazy and doesnt defend! strange decision. Also throwing Mangala in for his debut against Costa is a big risk. Should be a very interesting match.

[Toli 977]

Would have played Luis. He is good enough. Dont get why he isnt getting a fair chance to shine.

Beside this, good line-up. Ecstatic for this match.

Matic needs to get back to his A-Game or City will overroll us in the middle of the pitch. Mangalas first start for them? Could be good for us, as he has no understanding with Kompany yet

[quickpassnmove 924]

Marcos Rojo revealed for the crap player he really is.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

are City actually starting with Fernandinho - Toure in CM one only fouls the other is lazy and doesnt defend! strange decision. Also throwing Mangala in for his debut against Costa is a big risk. Should be a very interesting match.

It should be as bad as it sounds but unfortunately fernandinhi gets away will 10 blatant fouls a game and 'May' get a yellow card for his troubles

[The Skipper 20,593]

Marcos Rojo revealed for the crap player he really is.

Isn't anything new, he's beyond average.

[Myself 793]

Matic is going to be a wall in this game, I can just feel it.

He's definitely going to be our most important player this season.

[robsblubot 3,264]

Maybe I'm misreading but isn't the need to be excessive because they can't defend?

From the manager's perspective (starting) 3 players who can't defend in a tough away match seems excessive. Too much of an attacking stance.

We have to see how they are positioned and how hard they work, but such players will need 100% concentration as defending for them isn't as natural.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Isn't anything new, he's beyond average.

Even at LB

[Hutcho 8,443]

Firstly Lol United

Secondly Lol Pool.

Thirdly Lol Tottenham.

Fourthly, liking that mourinho is going with the 4-3-3. Don't want the Fabregas Matic pivot to get overun and Ramires legs should be good on both sides of the ball.

Finally, Diego Costa is a beast.

[Beigl 1,387]

Come on Chelsea, after Hamiltons's win in Singapur and Uniteds defeat, a convincing win over Man City would made my day.

[Bir_CFC 3,455]

From the manager's perspective (starting) 3 players who can't defend in a tough away match seems excessive. Too much of an attacking stance.

We have to see how they are positioned and how hard they work, but such players will need 100% concentration as defending for them isn't as natural.

Which 3 players can't defend? I count only 2 (Hazard and Cesc)

[Jdb2005 12]

Maria and ramieres to boss midfield. Costa to net.

[Barbara 15,149]

I like the lineup as I said a few minutes ago, but I didn't develop further because I was choking on my drool from laughing my arse off at United... but now I'm somewhat recovered, I'll try to talk properly, lol.

I think Ramires and Matic should hold position a lot in this match and I DON'T want/expect them to bomb forward much. Make the transition through Willian and Fabregas and let them get the ball moving to the attack.

It's absolutely necessary - regardless of how good or bad Toure is now (I believe players like him crave big matches like this, so I expect a lot of improvement by him compared to their previous matches this season), that we protect our defense against their two strikers and smart playmaker. So I do hope they follow the instructions I have no doubt Mourinho gave them to think about defending first - and mostly - and let the attackers (including Fab as one of them here) do the transition and set up our attack.

If Rami or Matic venture too much to the attack I think we're screwed.

[Cholo 428]

I'm so excited and nervous. Match days this season are blessing and curse equally cause I look forward to the matches but somehow always tend to be afraid because we need titles so Jose can continue at the bridge! This fking doesn't slip now

[robsblubot 3,264]

Ramires has always struggled against Yaya. Luiz was the one who matched him physically - even before Matic arrived.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Good analysis on SKY. The pivot last year between matic and Luiz was great in the big matches. Both could press and drop deep, and if they wasn't close together most of the time as all pivot players should be it was the cover dangerous space.

Today we will have to win a different way, Ramires is just not a pivot player in terms of moving in tandem with Matic so the 3 is needed, hoping that we put our foot on the ball and keep hold of it as that's what we're suited too