Manchester City Thread

[strigils]

Ch..Joe what are the current odds, i'll get on it

[Joe 90]

Ch..Joe what are the current odds, i'll get on it

Its dropped down to 16-1 ,last time I looked. I took 100-1 at the start of the season.£10,000 if they fo the quad for me.

Fvck that's gonna be an interstellar, ballistic party if it comes in, no more Pontins or camping holidays, might get a yacht and sail around Koh Samui drinking Bollinger

The bananamans for Cyrille.

It seems a lifetime ago that I had £100 @200-1 a few years back.

[strigils]

You wasterel, shrink your bonnet and have a few Hols on a modest scale

[Joe 90]

Pep Guardiola says he will be viewed as a failure as Manchester City boss if he does not win the Champions League during his time at the club.

City take a 2-1 aggregate lead to Borussia Dortmund for the second leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday.

They have not reached the semi-finals under Guardiola, going out in the last eight for the last three seasons.

"I know if we don't win I'll be a failure and if we do it's 'how good is Pep'," said Guardiola.

Their cause is boosted by the absence of Dortmund's Jadon Sancho from the second leg, with the England and ex-City forward still recovering from the thigh injury that prevented him playing in the first leg.

However, the German side's away goal at the Etihad means they would advance with a 1-0 win on home soil and Guardiola is urging his side to focus on their plan rather than worry about the permutations.

"If you think of the consequences or goals you have to score or concede, you forget what you have to do," he said. "It doesn't matter what happens in the first leg, you have a chance in the second.

"It will be better they don't score and we win, but in the Champions League you always have a chance. We have weapons to score, they have weapons to score.

"Our idea is to go there do as best as possible and let them feel we are not going to defend what we got here. We want to impose our game to win the game."

The winners will play Paris St-Germain in the two-legged semi-final after PSG, managed by former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino, edged out reigning holders Bayern Munich.

The German side won 1-0 in the second leg in France on Tuesday, but lost on the away-goals rule after it finished 3-3 on aggregate following PSG's 3-2 win in the first leg.

'Maybe I will play the same team in Dortmund?'
City were beaten at home by 10-man Leeds on Saturday - only their fourth defeat of a season in which they are still competing on four fronts.

Guardiola made seven changes to his side for the loss, including resting in-form players such as Kevin de Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden, Ruben Dias and Ilkay Gundogan to the bench.

"I made changes but maybe I will play the same team in Dortmund," added Guardiola.

"I've said many times they play because I want to let them play, not because I reserve these players.

"I select every team to win a specific game. If not, it would not be possible to arrive in the position that we we are in the Premier League and the other competitions.

"I decided on the selection and, with 29 games and 27 won, the rotation was exceptional, wasn't it?"

City's only injury concerns are striker Sergio Aguero and defender Aymeric Laporte, who has a hip problem.

'Courage and patience'
With Sancho already ruled out, Dortmund are waiting on the fitness of Marco Reus and Mats Hummels for Wednesday's second leg.

Reus limped out of Saturday's 3-2 win at Stuttgart, after the attacking midfielder scored for the second match in a row, while centre-back Hummels did not come out for the second half after feeling unwell.

Dortmund have had an inconsistent season and sit fifth in the Bundesliga, seven points behind fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt.

Winning the Champions League this season is their most likely route back into the competition next campaign, which may be the only way they can keep all of their hugely talented crop of young players such as striker Erling Braut Haaland and England pair Sancho and Jude Bellingham.

"As a coach, it's my job to get the best out of him [Haaland], not to put a price tag on him," said Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.

"I have to get the best out of the team and want to advance to the next round."

On the tie itself, he added: "We want to perform and write an incredible history.

"It's difficult. We have to score a goal. One goal won't be enough if we concede. It's always important to finding the mix between courage and patience."

Dortmund only once overturned first-leg deficit
On the seven previous occasions Borussia Dortmund have lost the first leg of a Champions League knockout stage match, they've been eliminated six times. The exception was against Benfica in 2016-17 at the Last 16 stage (0-1 first leg, 4-0 second leg).
In major European competition, Man City have progressed from 13 of their 15 knockout stage ties when winning the first leg, falling against Juventus in the 1976-77 UEFA Cup and against Monaco in the 2016-17 Champions League.
In Champions League history, the side winning the first leg of a knockout stage tie 2-1 at home has been eliminated (15) more often than they've progressed (12).
Borussia Dortmund's only previous home meeting with Manchester City ended in a 1-0 victory for the German side, in the Champions League group stages in December 2012.
Borussia Dortmund have lost their last two home games against English sides in the Champions League (vs Spurs in both 2017-18 and 2018-19), having lost just one of their first seven such matches (W4 D2).
Manchester City haven't conceded in any of their last four Champions League away games - the last team to keep a clean sheet in five straight away games in the competition was Manchester United (6 in 2010-11).
After losing three of his first five meetings with Borussia Dortmund in all competitions, Man City boss Pep Guardiola is unbeaten in his last seven against the German side (W4 D3).
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has only failed to score in three of his 15 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, and has found the net in all four of his appearances at Signal Iduna Park (7 goals in total).
A goal for Man City's Sergio Agüero will make him the outright highest goalscorer for a Premier League club in Champions League history (currently 36, level with Didier Drogba). The Argentine has scored more goals in the competition against German sides (11) than he has vs sides from any other nation.
Man City's Kevin De Bruyne has been involved in 13 goals in his last 12 appearances in the Champions League (4 goals, 9 assists), with the Belgian having a hand in six goals in just four games this season (2 goals, 4 assists).
'City with 87% chance of progressing'
Simon Gleave, head of sports analysis, Nielsen's Gracenote: "Euro Club Index number one Manchester City are given 87% chance of reaching the Champions League semi-finals after winning the first leg of this tie 2-1.

"City's chance of winning the competition has increased to 36% but formidable opponents Bayern Munich or Paris St-Germain will await them at the semi-final stage if City successfully negotiate the second leg in Dortmund."

[cyrille]

[Joe 90]

Dortmunds defence is outstanding , we've had more possession and shots on target.
City will wear them down, in Pep we trust.

[Joe 90]

He's one of our own!

[Joe 90]

[Edmond]

PSG! PSG!

Off to buy a fake 200 baht kit.

[Joe 90]

[cyrille]

Oh dear.

















Pep's boys done like a kipper.

If there is a target-zone in this City team it is the space left by João Cancelo when he operates as an auxiliary midfielder, combined with the high positions of the centre-backs.


Werner lingered in those spaces. And with six minutes gone there was an exact rehearsal of the move that would eventually decide the game. Ben Chilwell played a though pass into the inside left channel. Werner sprinted in behind and crossed. Hakim Ziyech slotted the ball into the net. Werner had moved too soon. He was offside.


Fast forward 49 minutes. Chilwell again played a though pass into the inside left position. Werner again sprinted in behind. This time he had curved his run just enough, scorching away into all that empty green space.


Zach Steffen came haring out, taking away the choice, the doubt, the burden of the finish, and giving Werner the perfect angle to pass inside to Ziyech, who – again – slotted the ball into the net.

[hallelujah]

And now they're looking at De Bruyne being out for a while with United approaching in their rear view mirror.

Has Chitty flounced yet with a bad case of the squeaky bum trots?

[Joe 90]

Manchester City's bid for a historic quadruple was ended by Chelsea in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final - with pundits highlighting Pep Guardiola's team selection as a factor.

Games are coming thick and fast for City, as they play in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup final and the Champions League over the next 11 days.

And that hectic schedule may have played a part in Guardiola's decision to make eight changes for the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Wembley - with Hakim Ziyech giving Thomas Tuchel's side a 1-0 win.

"There were so many changes that had a negative impact on City," ex-Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Jermaine Jenas said on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The front three just didn't function at all. I can't believe Guardiola didn't start his best team today."

But how much was the outcome down to Guardiola's selections, and how much down to Tuchel's tactics?

Chelsea end Man City's quadruple hopes to reach FA Cup final
De Bruyne injury 'doesn't look good' - Guardiola
Did Guardiola miss a trick by not playing best XI?
Phil Foden started on the bench for Manchester City
Phil Foden started on the bench for Manchester City
Just three days before facing Chelsea, Manchester City beat Borussia Dortmund to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time under Guardiola.

For large parts of Saturday's semi-final, though, a much-changed City struggled to build any rhythm.

"Eight [changes] is a little bit much," former Manchester City defender Micah Richards said on BBC One.

"City had no spark. Because of the Champions League, they looked a bit leggy. I have to give credit to Chelsea. They made them only have little chances."

Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon believes Guardiola may come to regret his approach for this game.

"When Guardiola looks back at this, he'll think his team missed an opportunity," said Dixon.

"If City have two or three trophies at the end of the season it'll be fine, but they'll be disappointed about this for a while."

How Tuchel's tactics made Man City struggle
Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner
Timo Werner, left, caused Manchester City a number of problems with his pace
As Borussia Dortmund manager, Tuchel had faced Guardiola's Bayern Munich five times when they were both in Germany, failing to win any of those encounters.

However, there were signs from the outset against City that Tuchel, who took charge of the Blues in January, had found a system that was problematic for Guardiola's side.

An early strike by Ziyech was ruled out for offside following a quick break from Timo Werner, but it provided a warning of what was to come.

City continued to struggle with the pace of Chelsea's attack and it finally paid dividends when Ziyech successfully broke the offside trap and turned in from Werner's square ball.

"Chelsea's system stopped Manchester City playing," former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer said on BBC One.

"City played a high line - one of the reasons Werner played was to use his pace and get in behind and it worked to perfection.

"Usually City pass and pass and try to wear you down. Chelsea weren't bothered. They held their shape and City couldn't get in behind. Chelsea were so compact. Excellent. They look very comfortable in the system they played."

[cyrille]

"They made them only have little chances." - Micah Richards

Christ, he's a really deep thinker, isn't he.

Expresses himself so well.

[Joe 90]

Manchester City have withdrawn from the European Super League (ESL) and Chelsea are also preparing to do so.

Efforts to leave come just two days after both were announced as two of six English clubs to sign up to the controversial new competition.

The ESL has been widely criticised since being announced on Sunday.

[strigils]

They should still get a ban, send a message

[Joe 90]

The most memorable chant from Wembley 1999
Was "oh Terry Cooke, he's not a Munich anymore, he's not a Munich anymore "

[hallelujah]

The most memorable chant from Wembley 1999
Was "oh Terry Cooke, he's not a Munich anymore, he's not a Munich anymore "

You see, Cy. Not. The. Same.

I should have just knocked you out, Chit, when we met.

You're all the same, you bitter [at][at][at][at].

[Joe 90]

Oh Man Cìty,the only team to come from Manchester
Cup final tomorrow....

[hallelujah]

Oh Man Cìty,the only team to come from Manchester
Cup final tomorrow....

Banter. Fine.

Why start with the Munich stuff though?

[cyrille]

Banter. Fine.

Why start with the Munich stuff though?

Because he's a thick, classless man-child.

[helge]

classless

I thought you and I aimed for the Classless society ?

Never thought of Chitty as our avantgarde

What's this "Munich" ?

The crash ?

[lom]

What's this "Munich" ?

a Manchester United player

[cyrille]

I remember singing "Oh Terry Cooke, he's not Munich anymore" round the playground when we signed him permanently from the rags. I then sang it in the car to the match a few days later and i got a right bollocking by my uncle and dad. I never sang any songs with the word Munich in it again. I like to think i was brought up decent and with respect which cannot be said for some of the twats we have following us.

How thick can you be? | Page 18 | Bluemoon - the leading Manchester City forum

'How thick can you be?'

Rely on Joe 90 to demonstrate, daily.

[helge]

Had a look myself

"Man U, Never Intended Coming Home"
Just observe the first letter of each word,it says "MUNICH"

I guess in a class of it's own