Manchester City v Juventus
Champions League Game 1 – Tuesday, 15th September – 19:45 GMT – Etihad Stadium
Juventus
Juventus will be hoping to bounce back from their worst start in the clubs illustrious 118-year-history when they travel to Manchester, to face a City side that are undefeated so far this season.
It’s been a dismal start to the season, whichever way you look at it. Two losses in the first two weeks of Serie A…..and just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, Juve were a goal down inside the opening 5 minutes against a Chievo team that sit pretty at the top of the table, while the Bianconeri languish just outside the relegation zone. Perhaps the only saving grace from last weekend’s eventful match were the promising performancees from new signings Hernanes, Alex Sandro and Juan Cuadrado.
My biggest concern watching the match against the Flying Donkeys was the utter lack of cohesion between the players, including the experienced ‘heads’ who were at the club last season and long before. The defence looked unsure of itself while the midfield lacked any real shape and the forwards looked rushed and hurried, desperate to create something against a resolute Chievo defence. On the plus side, there’s no denying the potential and raw talent is there, although it may take time until we see this team deliver at its best.
Next up, the Bianconeri are in Manchester, preparing for tomorrow night’s Champions League opener against a Man City side who are yet to concede a goal this season. Getting a result may be a tough ask and yet this team may just have enough to cause City problems, and perhaps even spring a surprise or two.
Coach Max Allegri gave a typically confident and optimistic press conference earlier today, but he dropped no hints about how he might line his team up on the night.
“We have to play with intensity, courage and technique to improve our confidence,” Allegri explained.
“It has been lowered because of the results, and we have to reverse the trend. At the moment there are a thousand questions about the team, because the results have not arrived.
“We can only find out who we are by playing, we don’t know if we can start talking about the Scudetto or the Coppa Italia, that doesn’t make sense.
“We have to be calm, and work, and see things in a different way. In football, the mood depends on results.
“On Saturday [in the draw with Chievo] I felt sorry for the lads, the team did a lot of things right, aside from being ruthless.
“At the moment we’re not scoring enough goals, it takes us a lot of chances to get one, when we start scoring the games will be different.
“I have five midfielders available tomorrow. We’ll wait & see if I go with three or four – I won’t be revealing my team.”
It’s tough to predict just how Max will field his squad, especially given that Juan Cuadrado has been one of the few positives this season and Allegri needs to find a way to play him. I can’t see us going away from home in a big game like this and deployin a 4-3-3, which means we’ll either see a 3-5-2 or Allegri’s favoured 4-3-1-2.
Sky Italia have been reporting Juve using a 3-5-2 with Buffon fit and ready to start in goal. In front of him, we’ll likely see Caceres, Bonucci and Chiellini with Lichtsteiner and Evra as the full-backs. Pogba and Hernanes are almost certain to start in the middle of the pitch with either Lemina, Pereyra or Sturaro making up the midfield. Up front, Mandzukic will probably be given the nod with Alvaro Morata alongside him.
Probable lineup:
3-5-2: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichsteiner, Pereyra, Hernanes, Pogba, Evra; Morata, Mandzukic.
Injuries:
Khedira (thigh), Asamoah (knee), Marchisio (thigh)
Suspended:
None
Manchester City
Probable lineup:
4-2-3-1: Hart; Sagna, Mangala, Kompany, Kolarov; Toure, Fernandinho; Navas, De Bruyne, Nasri; Bony.
Injuries:
Zabaleta, Fernando, Clichy, Delph, Agüero
Suspended:
None
Formation
Poll
[socialpoll id=”2294840″]
My starting XI (3-5-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Mario Lemina, Hernanes, Paul Pogba, Alex Sandro; Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic or Morata against City.My starting XI (3-5-2): Gianluigi Buffon; Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Mario Lemina, Hernanes, Paul Pogba, Alex Sandro; Paulo Dybala and either Mario Mandzukic or Morata.
The juve is on city side and vice versa for city on juve side. Juve should be in black and white? or switch paul pogba to the right? Idk the art is cool but off.
I kind of like Morata-Cuardado infront of Dybala. Offers a lot of movement and Dybala would fill in space from Cuardado wandering to the wings. While Morata makes runs into further created space. Which is what he is best at. Similar to the flat 4-3-3 that Lippi ran with Baggio.
Evra-Chiellini-Bonucci-Lichtstiener behind Pogba-Sturaro/Pereyra-Pereyra/Hernanes
I would go with this
Lich bon chiello evra
Pogba perayra or sturaro
Cuad hernan dyabla
Mand or morata
Cuad and dyabla on wings for attack will do miracles
No AlexSandro?
Evra was benched this weekend to be 100% for CL. He picks evra because hes the more experienced CL player. Especially vs the likes of Man City.
Did you forget his red against roma? So he wasnt benched to be 100% fit for CL, sandro is much better so i prefer him and sorry auzzie but sturaro?! No way. 4231 buffon, lichsteiner bonnu chiello sandro, pogba pereyra, cuadrado hernanes dybala, morata/mandzukic/zaza
Im not australian? I agree sandro is the better player. But Im just stating what I think Allegri will do in that post. I also am not a fan of 4-2-3-1. Leads to stagnant football, lots of long balls to wingers, counter-attacking. Not good to watch or play. Might aswell move to the BPL if we are going to try that.
Allegri will continue with the 4-3-1-2. Or slight variations of it. I
Evra was suspended actually 😛 But yes I would start Evra too, he knows the CL and he knows City, Sandro is the future
Sandro has played quite a few Cl games for Porto the past few years,
buffon
licht bonucci chiello sandro
cuadrado pogba pereyra
hernanes
mandzukic morata
poor Rubas, Humiliation on the way from tiniest teams in Italy… i think you guys should start practicing to bend over, cause you will be fucked
Good thing you guys only have to deal with the Coppa and Serie A, right?
we?? lol not just Ruba, aslo dumb…
I agree, your comment was dumb indeed.
This guy doesn’t even spell insults correct xD Let’s just ignore it mate
I’d be disappointed if we go 3-5-2. Especially with Caceres as CB. Use Barzagli or Rugani instead. 3-5-2 against City’s lethal attack is suicide imo, Lichtsteiner and Evra will be tugged everywhere and not be able to add to attacks. Kolarov and Sagna will go forward along with Silva and Sterling, we need more than Lichtsteiner and Evra to stop that.
Go 4-3-1-2 Allegri and ffs start Dybala over Mandzukic
Btw Rav, can we see your answers to the City fans somewhere?
https://www.typicalcity.org/2015/09/14/inside-the-opposition-juventus-f-c/
I hate that proposed lineup and I think it’s wrong. I’d start Sandro since he was the best back in CL last year, but Max will likely go with the veteran Frenchman. Here’s How I’d line them up:
Gigi
Lichty, Chiello, Bonucci, Sandro
Sturaro Hernanes Pogba
Pereyra
Dybala Mandzu
I always expect Juventus to win every time the take the pitch, but this one won’t be straightforward. Excited for the tie and I predict Juve draws them 1-1 with Morata netting the late away goal.
Using those players I’d just swap Hernanes with Pereyra. Hernanes is the natural treq and Pereyra’s workrate is more useful as CM, like Vidal was. And change Pogba to the center CM, thats all.
Not sure I want Mandzukic to start over Morata but then again, neither one seems to be in good form
i answered a few questions for Typical City blog to go along with the Q&A they did with us:
https://www.typicalcity.org/2015/09/14/inside-the-opposition-juventus-f-c/
Really like pretty much every answer. But when asked about our threats. You fail to mention the fact Superman could be an iron wall.
I just read it will be 4-4-2 tonight.
or is it a 4-3-3. Im confused now 🙂
Would be best?
i think a 4-3-3 wil be best suited.
4-3-3 tonight
https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11999644_1223656164328277_6294196392973269245_o.jpg
Very excited this looks dangerous.
Forza Juve … A win can set us off … Come on Pogba, be our new leader !!!
Juventus confirm – 4-3-3
Only reason i can think is to include Cuadrado in there – Away from home ? First Champions League game ? Team in poor form ?
Balls from Allegri tonight !
The line up looks great. Morata ofcourse deserves to play CL games, Mandzukic has experience, Cuadrado well we know what he can do.
HD english stream
https://skystreams.net/-1-english-premier-league-live-streaming.html
I hate the gold on these shirts…………
yeah white would look much better
It’s like we’re Real Madrid.
FUCK sake why did Morata go for that? If he didn’t it be 1-0 for us now. Sweet pass from Cuadrado btw.
We’re playing better than we have in recent weeks
Never mind. I need something to blame, the guy is eager, i probably would have gone for it aswell.
Blame Padoin.
I shall do that. Good idea!
Hernanes is a beast when it comes to shots
Did the commentator just say controversial penalty against Chievo? What a bullshitter……
Anyway, so far so good. We’ve been making some mistakes but overall i’m happy with our first half. I’m really liking Cuadrado. He might be our most dangerous player so far. He has amazing ball control.
I agree. Pogba seems to rush things, and take unnecessary risks. Either that, or City just neutralizes him.
I’ve been kinda annoyed by Evra coming up too.
Notes from 1st half:
– Sturaro, your like an unrefined Vidal. Keep running and getting experience. Youre awesome bro dont listen to the haters.
– Cuadrado is beastmode and awesome to see.
– Pogba is a quarter step too quick right now. Hes great, but moving to fast for the team. They cant keep up. Hes such a monster but needs his team behind him. Holy crap Pogba showed how oppressive he can be to another team.
– Chiello and Bonucci are soul brothers, Eventually they may form an Archon.
– Pogba definitely helped design the black and gold kids. It matches his hair style very well.
– Hernanes is a shit sub for Marchisio in the regista but we needed him. I cant imagine if we had to rely on Padoinho regista til Marchisio was back.
– Imagine this team when Machisio is 100%.
“Imagine this team when Machisio is 100%.”
Him and Khedira, and Asamoah.. I hope they will all come back soon.
Of course, though Marchisio will have the biggest affect.
Sturaro sucks, lemina should start over him. Super overrated, but still good, just not good enough to start. And will never be a Vidal or half Vidal player. Also, Hernanes is going to be the best 11m we’ve spent since Vidal. He’s a great player who can play any central mid position. Hernanes-marchisio-Pogba should be our starting midfield with pereyra and lemina first off the bench.
Cuadrado pass
https://vine.co/v/eUWmPO250Vu
Holy shit
Is this fair? Chiellini couldn’t go anywhere or do anything.
Fuuuuuuuuuuck
Buffon…. another double save
WHAT a ball!
thats beautiful
GOALLLLLLL
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
OOOOOOOL (didnt fit)
Mandzukic outta nowhere!!
And this is what we got him for. Llorente too, but he can’t do it like this.
And he’s off in pain… Forza Mario!
Morataaaaaa
MORATATATTATATATATAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FUCK YES
Fuck that shit !!!!!!!!!!!!
GOAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
CHE GOLAZOOOO ALVAROOO
Fuck yeah ALVARO
Barzagli for Morata, lmao..
Navas completely ready at the sideline to come into the match, seconds away from subbing in, Morata scores, Navas gets told to go sit back down and Aguero comes in. I find this funny. Sad for Navas, but funny nonetheless.
Whats Alle shouting for?
Fuck yes!
Its the CHANGE
BETTER WATCH OUT FOR US EUROPE! BARCA, BAYERN, MADRID, WE’RE COMING FOR YOU!!
Thousands thumbs up for that motivation!!
Nice picture 😀
Thanks pal
Man of the match is gonna be Pogba or Morata, but i want to give special credits to Buffon. If it wasn’t for that double save he made (which was pretty impossible) we would have been 2-0 down and there might have not been 2 Juve goals.
Also want to give credit to Chiellini. I think he played like the old Chiellini from a few years ago. A beast.
Also that save on Yaya’s shot in the end! For me it was clearly Buffon.
And what a shot that was. Just from standing with so much power. Beast vs Beast.
hopefully roma get fucked with 7 goals as always.
Forza JUVEEEEEEE
It be good for Serie A if that doesn’t happen.
58 bitches voted for fuckcity today ?