closed Man City v Chelsea

[manpe 10,861]

2 minutes ago, Roquila said:

Courtois; Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill (c); Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Diego Costa, Hazard.

Oh man, Fabregas in a midfield two, he's not even match fit. Kante must play the game of his life.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Matic is injured. Fabregas playing with Kante in midfield. That's not good. Guardiola is insane though. No one could have predicted his line-up. 

[Roquila 1,335]

Just now, manpe said:

Oh man, Fabregas in a midfield two. Kante must play the game of his life.

Either Kante holds that midfield like a boss while Cesc sprays the good balls forward or Kante will have too much pressure to cope with the midfield and Cesc will be neutralised. 
A risky move, hope it's worth it.

[manpe 10,861]

1 minute ago, Leif said:

If we lose this, i think it won't be lost in midfield, but defence. Against the big boys (Arsenal, Liverfailurepool) our back 3 haven't had the best chemistry, and I never have faith in Cahill remaining composed. 

Against arse and pool we didn't play back 3.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

We're going to be murdered when they have the ball with Fabregas in midfield. I hope not but I fear the worst. Please god, let's not be humiliated. 

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Just now, MrExcalibur100 said:

Matic is injured. Fabregas with Kante. This is not good. Not good at all. 

And we're not even playing with a 3-5-2 to protect fabregas defensive weakness. Not good, Pedro and hazard will have to work their socks off today. 

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Just now, kellzfresh said:

And we're not even playing with a 3-5-2 to protect fabregas defensive weakness. Not good, Pedro and hazard will have to work their socks off today. 

3-5-2 with Oscar instead of Pedro. I'm scared, kellz. Really am. 

[Polo7 3,496]

Why didnt we go for a midfield 3 Cesc hasnt even played since the Arse game.

On the plus side they have Stones playing

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

Pep is going with Jesus Navas and fucking Leroy Sane as a wing back on the right. This guy is nuts. Gotta admire his stone cold approach to attack all the time. Can Eden see enough of the ball to capitalize on that? 

[the wes 7,212]

Fabregas ffs conte needs to buy in January transfer window we need better back up midfielders 

[!Hazard! 3,394]

City starting XI is insane. There should be plenty of space for our attacking three.

[Valdo 583]

Atleast Cesc will give his all, the guy is definitely passionate enough. And who knows he might nail it somehow and get a couple of assists! Have a little faith!

[kellzfresh 7,229]

2 minutes ago, MrExcalibur100 said:

3-5-2 with Oscar instead of Pedro. I'm scared, kellz. Really am. 

My hope is Guardiola didn't anticipate this fabregas change and won't have a plan to attack him specifically. We know how poor he is defensively, especially as he might be playing beside Alonso and cahill who are the weaker side of our defenders, I'm hoping fabregas compensates in attack. 

[FabHazard 655]

Fabregas in 2 man midfield . . . He makes our defense vulnerable. . . Typical guardiola . . He will outnumber us in midfield. . . We will be pinned back most of the time. . Hazard and Pedro must work hard. . . Very difficult match

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

1 minute ago, FabHazard said:

Fabregas in 2 man midfield . . . He makes our defense vulnerable. . . Typical guardiola . . He will outnumber us in midfield. . . We will be pinned back most of the time. . Hazard and Pedro must work hard. . . Very difficult match

To be honest even if Matic was available we would have probably still been pinned back most of the match.

 

The gameplay for this match has always been to be deadly on the counter.

[Fernando 6,453]

With Fabregas in the starting I'm not hopeful anymore. 

I will be surprised if we get a good result here. 

[Roquila 1,335]

Geez.... Have a little faith in Cesc guys...

[kellzfresh 7,229]

7 minutes ago, Sir Mikel OBE said:

To be honest even if Matic was available we would have probably still been pinned back most of the match.

 

The gameplay for this match has always been to be deadly on the counter.

Hopefully fabregas picks passes that unlocks the defence, and makes us more deadly on the counter.