Manchester City *

FT

1 : 2

vs

HT 1 : 1

Basel

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So? Van Nistelrooy was known for that. Nothing wrong with it. A tap in is better than no goal at all.

????????
More like: City - De Bruyne - Aguero - Silva - Walker - Otamendi - Ederson - Sterling + Yaya Toure + Bravo (which is basically playing with an open net)

He literally just came back from injury and still scored a goal. It takes some time to get back to full flow.

He's just 20 dude chill

dont worry, Brazil will have Firmino as Striker, Dauglas costa or Coutinho as injured Neymar replacement.

Possibly that, or possibly experimenting with tactics and resting players for the PL as this tie was already over before the game started, literally no pressure.

You really are the great Pelle, thanks captain obvious

So true...another reason he is the best manager in the world. Hands down.

Can't say best manager yet, Once City plays the other teams in the CL we'll see how he fairs, and if he can maintain a second season too. But most managers in this scenario would do the same tbh, there's never a point in wasting fitness on tired players and increase chance of injury for a game that's already won, like imagine KDB got injured in this match for the whole season, City could be in trouble.

lol what kind of retarded childish observation is this xD. what if Basel gave other teams even more confidence City is ezz to beat at their own stadium in the next round??? Besides do you really think Barca, Bayern or Real would close their eyes when they gonna play city? This is the most normal thing to do from a manager when u win 5-0 xD. Too much honey on peps ass? Do you really think Barca, Real, Bayern are not aware of the capacity of this city this season??? Or any other team??? honestly there is nothing more left then only giants in next round.

hahaha

Resting some of his stars, not risking injuries or suspensions... yes Pep had many good reasons not to take this game as if it is the final. But it's the psychology I'm talking about... why do you think big teams play mind-games with each other!? Aren't they aware of the opponents capacity?! For example... Real Madrid beat Barca in the Supercup, and after it everyone was on high alert about RM, and less when it came to Barca. Even though everyone knows the potential of Barca too. Now that game meant more than this... but putting on a weaker team on the pitch can also be a strategy to better position yourself further into to tournament. If the other teams get more confident now, they might pay less attention, and I'm sure Pep wouldn't mind... that would reduce the pressure on his players.

The thing is, I feel people know this so clearly. Like you don't get many chances to test new tactics vs other opposition, this is a great time to do it, all over teams in the CL won't fall for that trick when it's so obvious. It wasn't a huge loss, it was by 1 goal, by an experimental team, everyone at the top level won't let that edge them. It is a tactic indeed but I don't think that was a tactic, the CL quarter finals are a little while away, when that happens they won't remember this score, they'll remember 5-1 and they'll know it's city.

Nah. Just having Toure in the center is a big liability and Jesus was really poor today.

you're right, city with de bruyne, AGUERO, DAVID SILVA, OTAMENDI, EDERSON, WALKER are different

Look at the lineup and subs and you'll see how much Pep cared about this game.

Absolutely, this game doesnt mean much.

I agree, he was a great player but its time for him to hang up the boots tbh

To be fair hes 34, 35 by the end of the season. Age is a mother f*cker. Him, Aguero and Kompany have been the 3 most important city players over the last decade or so.

David Silva's been pretty important too

how?

because chelsea lost here?

no you cunts city should of won

still doesn't make it awkward