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[meyer lansky]

I think Yaya's absence today is going to be a difference maker...pumped as hell for what I'm hoping to be a good game though 

 

So I recognized Koeman's name from the FIFA Classic XI team that I used against my more experienced friends while starting out

, but I'm on the dude's Wiki right now and 193 club goals for a CB?!?! Goddamn...are there any active defenders that are nearly as prolific when it comes to scoring?

 

[Kimchi Papi]

During his time at City, Malaga, & Madrid, Pellegrini is 2-12 against Barca.

I have the Blaugrana winning today either 1-2 or 2-3.

The trouble with City is they will try playing English ball & even at home, it won't work. You can't play the English game in CL competition.

German referee Felix Brych likes handing out yellows... This is my one worry though because Barca hasn't won the 2 games where he officiated.

Having said that, if City try to play English, Barca could possibly have a goal fest.

 

[b fresco]

Wait, Pelle (a chilean classically trained in the SPANISH game) employs an english "game" with 9/11 foreigners? WUT?

Maybe Barca will win because..... Wait for it.... Wait for it....

They're BETTER. 

 

[Kimchi Papi]

^ Your "wait for it" would've worked better with a spoiler...

When City has played in the CL, especially last year, they resort to playing bully ball on defense (Arsenal's smokey calls it "we tackle") & rapidly got called for fouls & cards... That doesn't work in CL competition.

Pellegrini just doesn't seem to be able to beat Barca. On paper, they should've creamed Barca last year & this year too (Ya Ya in or out). The psyche of Barca is just too fragile & they just aren't good enough defensively. But Pellegrini gonna Pellegrini when it comes to Barca...

I am bothered by Bony though... His aerial prowess is quite worrisome. I'd actually think about starting him & then have Aguero come in as a sub (while praying to god he doesn't pull a hammy)...

Edit - BTW, Pellegrini got his footballing philosphopies from Arrigo Sacchi (Italian) & Rinus Michels (Dutch) & having played for Universidad de Chile from '73 to '86. His style is definitely more influenced by South American style of play...

 

[AZwildcats]

During his time at City, Malaga, & Madrid, Pellegrini is 2-12 against Barca.

I have the Blaugrana winning today either 1-2 or 2-3.

The trouble with City is they will try playing English ball & even at home, it won't work. You can't play the English game in CL competition.

German referee Felix Brych likes handing out yellows... This is my one worry though because Barca hasn't won the 2 games where he officiated.

Having said that, if City try to play English, Barca could possibly have a goal fest.

Worked for Chelsea a couple years ago

 

[flyeed]

^ Your "wait for it" would've worked better with a spoiler...

When City has played in the CL, especially last year, they resort to playing bully ball on defense (Arsenal's smokey calls it "we tackle") & rapidly got called for fouls & cards... That doesn't work in CL competition.

Pellegrini just doesn't seem to be able to beat Barca. On paper, they should've creamed Barca last year & this year too (Ya Ya in or out). The psyche of Barca is just too fragile & they just aren't good enough defensively. But Pellegrini gonna Pellegrini when it comes to Barca...

I am bothered by Bony though... His aerial prowess is quite worrisome. I'd actually think about starting him & then have Aguero come in as a sub (while praying to god he doesn't pull a hammy)...

Edit - BTW, Pellegrini got his footballing philosphopies from Arrigo Sacchi (Italian) & Rinus Michels (Dutch) & having played for Universidad de Chile from '73 to '86. His style is definitely more influenced by South American style of play...

Wait so you think they'd be better off starting Bony, and....

Playing an English game?

 

[b fresco]

^ Your "wait for it" would've worked better with a spoiler...

When City has played in the CL, especially last year, they resort to playing bully ball on defense (Arsenal's smokey calls it "we tackle") & rapidly got called for fouls & cards... That doesn't work in CL competition.

Pellegrini just doesn't seem to be able to beat Barca. On paper, they should've creamed Barca last year & this year too (Ya Ya in or out). The psyche of Barca is just too fragile & they just aren't good enough defensively. But Pellegrini gonna Pellegrini when it comes to Barca...

I am bothered by Bony though... His aerial prowess is quite worrisome. I'd actually think about starting him & then have Aguero come in as a sub (while praying to god he doesn't pull a hammy)...

Playing hard D is ENGLISH (pause)? 

::Mind blown::

Barca, although slacking defensively, still has too much firepower offensively for City's defense to handle. Kompany isn't having that great of a year and Mangala has been an OK replacement for DeMichelis. I dont think we'll have a goalfest REGARDLESS of the Defensive tactics employed by Pelle, but i do see City getting on the board. 

Barca has been on a roll for about 2 months, and the small setback vs Malaga shouldnt dampen their resolve.

I think They win 2-1 or 3-1, with pique and Macsh almost allowing an equalizer. They should dominate possession but not as much as usual.

 

[chiva1908]

BVB vs Juve > Barcelona vs City

 

[Coupé It]

lol the majority of Spaniards I have come across all speak with a lisp

Anyways I have City winning 2-1, Neymar scores for Barca.

Well I mean that's the "real" Spanish so of course they sound like that.

Btw, do Dominicans describe European Spanish as Castellano Or just Español?

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Wait so you think they'd be better off starting Bony, and....

Barca still can't defend set pieces & I think Bony's aerial prowess would cause Barca lots of problems. I think Barca would defend Aguero better than they would Bony. Dude is big, strong, & fast... Love the way he plays.

 

[dlo13]

Forgot that Yaya is suspended.
James Milner in CM against Barca is not optimal.

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Interesting cover from French daily L’Equipe...

View media item 1418316
They're speculating the Prem's new TV deal will enable these players to come to England; Pogba to Arsenal, Thomas Muller to City, Thiago Silva to Liverpool, Messi to Chelsea, & Ronnie back to United.

 

[Coupé It]

Forgot that Yaya is suspended.
James Milner in CM against Barca is not optimal.

James ****** Milner.

The Most Boring Man in the World.

 

[Coupé It]

WTF is Alexis LaLaLaLas doing on TV previewing the Champions League, GOD DAMN

Had no idea he switched over to FOX, thought I was done with this dudes face.

 

[sfc415]

How does Lalas keep getting these jobs? He adds nothing to any conversation other than pissing off his Co hosts with his d-bag smirk and saying the exact opposite of what everyone else is saying, even when they're right

 

[Kimchi Papi]

He's the perfect fodder for ruppert's fox... Talks loud & says nothing...

 

[Kimchi Papi]

Jeez, Enrique is starting Iniesta over Rafi...

 

[champcruthik]

For those picking City to win today, y'all are giving them way too much credit.

Reasons I think Barca wins at Eastlands:
1) Pellegrini's record against Barcelona
He's been historically bad against FCB while manager of RM, Malaga, and Villarreal.

2) Yaya Toure's absence
James Milner playing CM? Admire his work-rate, but he doesn't have half the technical ability and class on the ball that Rakitic and Don Andres possess. Not to mention Toure's physical presence missed, perhaps City's biggest influence in years past.

3) Leaky defense
We're far away from the days Kompany and Lescott consistently maintained clean sheets with Hart in behind them. Hate to say, but Kompany is largely inconsistent this campaign and Demichelis is liable to make yet another rash challenge. Bottom line, City can't protect against the away goal(s).

4) Man City's poor European play
Mental stigma of mediocrity and being dispatched in the round of 16. I see nothing to reverse that fortune.

Champ's prediction: Barcelona, 4-2 (although 3-2 is a more likely result). Aguero scores but to no avail. Messi, Suarez, and Neymar (brace) run riot. I also would have started Bony alongside Kun instead of Dzeko.

Other match: Dortmund, 1-0 (although 1-1 is a more likely result). Despite Klopp's shoddy back four and Juve's formidable home record. I believe the breakthrough comes through Reus and not Immobile.

 

[chiva1908]

Is there a specific reason why Bravo isn't starting for Barcelona?

 

[Sinner]

Late... what happening?

 

[truth-serum]

Anyone have streaming links for the citeh game?

 

[truth-serum]

This barca citeh game will end in a draw 

 

[ajiiiplatinum]

Vamos Barca!
Vamos Messi!

 

[meyer lansky]

 
Anyone have streaming links for the citeh game?

I'm using firstrowsports

 

[Coupé It]

Juve Up!!!!