Attack v defence
Manchester City v Chelsea
Monday 3rd February 2014
Etihad Stadium
Monday 3rd February 2014
Etihad Stadium
This game is absolutely huge. The team with the best attack scoring 68 Premier League goals against the team with the best defence only conceding 20 Premier League goals. As many of us think, Mourinho will deploy defensive tactics to get a draw, I however see it a little differently. I think City's weakest link is at central defence. Kompany is a world class player but he has no partner on par. I think Mourinho will concentrate on this and I think he will play a defensive tactic at the start but when it gets to the 60th minute, he will send on Salah, who contains a world of pace to threaten to City and perhaps nick a goal, which could give us a vital 3 points to stay within touching distance from top spot.
Man City have lost Aguero due to injury and he absolutely vital to their team. Dzeko is a fantastic player but he is not Aguero, who adds to City's pace up front. Most people don't have enough positive comments to describe Yaya Toure but what is his primary job as a central defensive midfielder? To defend, cut out attacks, destroy the opponents danger. I don't think he does that well. He is lost up field a lot of times and albeit, he is world class moving forward, like a train steaming to the station, he is not a CDM. His defensive qualities falter and if Manuel Pellegrini plays Fernandinho next to him, Jose Mourinho will know to exploit that area. Fernandinho is almost a carbon copy of Yaya Toure. Attacks very well and his defending is a little better but not credit worthy of being called a CDM. I can however, see why City play both of them in those positions. Where else would they play?
Furthermore, I believe Manuel Pellegrini will have one eye on the Barcelona game around the corner, which could benefit Chelsea. I also believe that it is unlikely Manchester City will be as ruthless at home as they have been on many occasions this season as Chelsea have a mastermind tactician at the helm - the self proclaimed 'special one' who focuses his teams upon defending well, not pushing the full backs on and making sure his team hold its shape and contain strong organisation.
I predict this to be Chelsea's line up vs Manchester City;
4-2-3-1
Cech
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Azpilicueta
Ramires Matic
Hazard Oscar Willian
Eto'o
Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Luiz, Mikel, Lampard, Salah, Ba.
Schurrle to miss out in my opinion as he doesn't contain enough pace to threaten City on the counter attack. On the contrary, he could be on the subs bench and Lampard will miss out but I don't think that looks likely, as Lampard has enough defensive qualities to come on and replace Matic or Ramires and enough attacking traits to come on and pinch a goal. Salah will almost definitely come on to make his debut. Mikel and/or Lampard could also come on.
Whatever happens, this will certainly be an interesting and intense football game for any football spectator.
Man City have lost Aguero due to injury and he absolutely vital to their team. Dzeko is a fantastic player but he is not Aguero, who adds to City's pace up front. Most people don't have enough positive comments to describe Yaya Toure but what is his primary job as a central defensive midfielder? To defend, cut out attacks, destroy the opponents danger. I don't think he does that well. He is lost up field a lot of times and albeit, he is world class moving forward, like a train steaming to the station, he is not a CDM. His defensive qualities falter and if Manuel Pellegrini plays Fernandinho next to him, Jose Mourinho will know to exploit that area. Fernandinho is almost a carbon copy of Yaya Toure. Attacks very well and his defending is a little better but not credit worthy of being called a CDM. I can however, see why City play both of them in those positions. Where else would they play?
Furthermore, I believe Manuel Pellegrini will have one eye on the Barcelona game around the corner, which could benefit Chelsea. I also believe that it is unlikely Manchester City will be as ruthless at home as they have been on many occasions this season as Chelsea have a mastermind tactician at the helm - the self proclaimed 'special one' who focuses his teams upon defending well, not pushing the full backs on and making sure his team hold its shape and contain strong organisation.
I predict this to be Chelsea's line up vs Manchester City;
4-2-3-1
Cech
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Azpilicueta
Ramires Matic
Hazard Oscar Willian
Eto'o
Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Luiz, Mikel, Lampard, Salah, Ba.
Schurrle to miss out in my opinion as he doesn't contain enough pace to threaten City on the counter attack. On the contrary, he could be on the subs bench and Lampard will miss out but I don't think that looks likely, as Lampard has enough defensive qualities to come on and replace Matic or Ramires and enough attacking traits to come on and pinch a goal. Salah will almost definitely come on to make his debut. Mikel and/or Lampard could also come on.
Whatever happens, this will certainly be an interesting and intense football game for any football spectator.
