Kick-off to the new Champions League campaign, let's hope we bounce back from the disappointment at Goodison.

 

I'd say to go near-full strength for this, can never guess what upsets teams can cause in this competition. Comfortable three points on paper but I'd wager it'll be a little more of an arduous effort on the pitch.

 

Thoughts on the lineup?

Edited September 15, 201312 yr by Teritus

My goodness, is that this week already?!

I expect De Bruyne and Oscar to start, and probably Torres. Jose must have had the CL match in mind when picking his lineup against Everton. We need to be a lot sharper, and stop giving the ball away through sloppiness. Our first League matches were encouraging on that front, I felt, but against Everton it crept back in.

Edited September 15, 201312 yr by Valerie

Cech

Ivan Luiz Terry Bertrand

MVG Ramires

Hazard KDB Willian

Torres

 

If Oscar is fit then him in place of KDB, with KDB on the right and Hazard on the left. Willian should come on as a sub. 

Edited September 15, 201312 yr by MANoWAR

Ramires is suspended

Would like to see Cesar and Kevin from the start.

cech

azpi ivan luiz bertrand

mikel oscar

willian mata hazard

Eto'o

van ginkel has to get some minutes

Lets hope we stick to a striker for a few games in a row. So far we have started with 4 in 4 games, by the rotation rule Ba will start this one. Needless to say we must win, this is the game where we failed last year.

Cech

Dave Luiz Cahill Cole

Van Ginkel Lampard

De Bruyne Mata Willian

Torres

 

would be what I would go with.

We knocked Basel out of the Europa last year so they should be up for it.  We were comfortably better than them then, but they did knock Spurs out before meeting us.  They've also beaten United not too long ago.  They're no pushovers and we'll be sorry if we walk into this with complacency.  As Spurs found out, they're a team that can dig in and make up for their limitations with determination.  

 

Ideally we'll twat them to bounce back from Everton, and we very well can do that at home.  I'd rest Hazard, we've got plenty of depth there to give him a break.  I also hope Eto'o gets another start, but Jose may use Torres in Europe since he doesn't do too badly for us there.

Jose may use Torres in Europe since he doesn't do too badly for us there.

 

I agree, Torres comes alive in Europe.

 

Eto'o seems like he wants to play Premier League football first and foremost, so that's how I'd use our strikers. Demba Ba is good cover.

Edited September 16, 201312 yr by haaggus

6 goals in 20 champions league appearances for us. If you don't include the goal vs Barca where he was only up there to be 1v1 with Valdes because he couldn't be bothered to defend (still a magical moment though):

2 vs Genk

2 vs Nordsjaelland

1 vs Shakhtar

While becoming the first holders to ever be knocked out at the group stage.

Yeah, i'll start with Eto'o.

------------Cech

Dave - Cahill - Luiz - Ash

-------MvG - Lampard

---Willian - Oscar - KDB

-----------Eto'o

I'd really love to see KDB and van Ginkel both start.

 

Cech

 

Azpi - Luiz - Terry - Cole

 

Ramires - van Ginkel

 

KDB - Mata - Willian

 

Eto'o

All change for me following the weekend performance.

 

 

              Cech

 

Azpi - Cahill - Terry - Bertie

 

   van Ginkel - Lampard

 

Willian - Oscar - Hazard

 

             Torres

 

 

 

Need to try to put them to the sword early on and try to put in 3 or more goals for confidence if possible. 

I agree that it's time for some changes, let's give Brana and Ash a breather.

 

I predict that we'll dominate possession but struggle to get the ball in the net.....

 

I know, I know I'm going out on a limb. Just call me a risk taker!!!

6 goals in 20 champions league appearances for us. If you don't include the goal vs Barca where he was only up there to be 1v1 with Valdes because he couldn't be bothered to defend (still a magical moment though):

2 vs Genk

2 vs Nordsjaelland

1 vs Shakhtar

While becoming the first holders to ever be knocked out at the group stage.

Yeah, i'll start with Eto'o.

------------Cech

Dave - Cahill - Luiz - Ash

-------MvG - Lampard

---Willian - Oscar - KDB

-----------Eto'o

 

That is some very strange logic used to in order to not credit Torres with a goal.

 

But yeah, I do agree, I want Eto'o to be given a good run and I would say this is a perfect game for him to sharpen up and hopefully bag a goal.

 

Eto'o could have scored a couple against Everton and looked more involved in the game than Torres usually does even though he appeared a little rusty.

So glad the CL is starting back up and we get more games. The internationl break was killing me

f**king love the CL.

 

Hope we give a good account of ourselves this season.

With Ramires suspended and Essien not in the CL squad, I hope the Lampard-zombs partnership doesn't resurrect itself.

Hazard needs a rest as well so would like to see-

 

                cech

       Azpi Cahill Luiz Cole

         KdB MvG Oscar

   Schurrle  Torres   Willian

 

Well one can hope.

Edited September 16, 201312 yr by Sing the Blues

With Ramires suspended and Essien not in the CL squad, I hope the Lampard-zombs partnership doesn't resurrect itself.

Hazard needs a rest as well so would like to see-

cech

Azpi Cahill Luiz Cole

KdB MvG Oscar

Schurrle Torres Willian

Well one can hope.

You are one f**king retard for calling a human like you a zombs.

You are one f**king retard for calling a human like you a zombs.

Ooohh Don't cry.

Sing the blues,that was very stupid of you....c**t

_{Settle down kids or I might have to withhold today's milk rations.}

Cech

 

Azpi

Cahill

Luiz

Bertand

 

Oscar

Mikel

 

KDB

Mata

Willian

 

Torres

I'd really love to see KDB and van Ginkel both start.

 

Cech

 

Azpi - Luiz - Terry - Cole

 

Ramires - van Ginkel

 

KDB - Mata - Willian

 

Eto'o

Pretty much this but I would replace Cole with Bertrand.

Isn't Ramires suspended?  I think MVG and Dave should get runouts.