As DB says (I have to agree with him sometimes, it was written into the terms and conditions when I joined the forum), forget the result last night, because if we play like that on Saturday, it will be a cricket score....and I don’t mean in our favour !
Whoever the team and whatever the system, we’ll be lucky to keep the margin to 3. If he makes some of the mental selections and systems he’s made before, then expect a caning by at least 5.
In an ideal world, they’ll be no Xhaka, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Pepe, or Willock. I’d stick with Holding and Luiz and play only two CHs. Tierney and Bellerin/Cedric at full back.
Torreira and Ceballos centre mid (because he’s frozen Guendouzi out) with Saka on the right and in the absence of Martinelli, I guess I’d have to put Kolasinac on the left of midfield, despite what I said above (Pepe would do nothing defensively and the game would pass him right by).
I’d play both Auba and Lacazette up front.
So, 4-4-2. I honestly think that our only chance is to take the game to them as much as possible and keep their back line, which isn’t great, on their toes, which 4-4-2 will allow. If we sit and try to contain them, we’ll get destroyed and as soon as they scored two (after about 20 mins) we’d be trying to get forward with a selection and system that isn’t able to do so, resulting in an utter mess and more goals shipped.
Anyway, that’s in an ideal world. Unfortunately, we know it will be Xhaka, probably Mustafi and Kolasinac and no doubt the vacant Pepe. Plus, Willock on as sub if he doesn’t start. All in a system set up to contain and failing badly.
Oh dear.
