Team vs Dinamo Zagreb (H)

[journeyman]

I expect him to go relatively strong on Thursday with the aim of racking up a score and resting a few for the second leg.

 

[slartibartfast]

Bugger the home leg is a) first, and b) before a NLD.
A dilema for sure. Really need to win both. Lamela, Alli and Moura to play big part. Vinicius as well.
I'd like to see Aurier with Davies and like today, Doherty with Reggie against teams we should beat. Save Aurier and Reggie together for the tough games.
Davies and Doherty together doesnt work.

 

[spurs9]

Just how good are this lot? We expected to ransack them?

They beat Wolfsberger 3-0 and 1-0 in their group, and are unbeaten in the EL this season, topping a group that, as well as Wolfsberger, contained CSKA and Feyenoord.

They did lose 2-1 to Ferencvaros from Hungry (managed by Rebrov) CL qualifying.

The team we put out Vs Wolfsberger 2nd leg should beat them IMO. Which was:

 

[TheTanguy]

I expect him to go relatively strong on Thursday with the aim of racking up a score and resting a few for the second leg.

I totally expect José to start Kane, Ndombele and Bale.

 

[EQP]

We have the luxury of being able to use 5 subs in the EL, so I'd rather we start our best team, try and run up the score and then make those subs when necessary.

 

[carpediem991]

----------------------Lloris----------------------
Aurier---Tanganga---Dier-----Davies
--------------Ndombele-Sissoko---------
----Lamela---------Dele----------Bergwijn
--------------------------Kane--------------------

Subs: Hart, Reguilon, Sanchez, Winks, Hojbjerg, Lucas, Son, Bale, Vinicius, Doherty, Scarlett, Lo Celso

I think a little mix is needed. With 5 subs we can still go for half an hour of Bale and Son if needed.

 

[hughy]

I think the Kane substitution suggests he'll probably start, providing he hadn't picked up a niggle. I'd rest PEH, Bale, Son and Toby.

Lloris

Doherty - Sanchez - Dier - Reguilon

Sissoko - Ndombele

Lamela - Dele - Bergwijn

Kane​

Subs: Strongest bench which doesn't involve PEH or Toby.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I'm open minded on the team for Zagreb itself - but it should allow our first XI vs. Arsenal, being:

------------ Lloris

Aurier - Toby - Sanchez - Reggie

--------- PEH --- Tanguy

Bale ---- Lucas/Dele ---- Son

------------- Kane

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Please no winks?

Wh not? Winks in the EL is different than Winks in PL. Would start him and Dele beyond doubt.

 

[Japhet]

Not ideal but PEH has to have a rest at some point. I'd give Tanganga a run out at RB too.

 

[NickHSpurs]

Lloris
Tanganga Sanchez Dier Davies
Winks Sissoko
Lamela Dele Bergwijn
Kane

Save Bale, Son, Hojbjerg, Lucas, Reguilon, Toby and Ndombele for Sunday if we can. Sub Kane early as well, maybe even at HT if we're winning.

 

[ardiles]

Lloris

Tanganga - Sanchez - Dier - Davies
Sissoko - Ndombele
Lamela - Dele - Bergwijn
Vinicius

subs - Hart, Toby, Reguilon, GLC , Aurier, Bale, Moura + a couple of youths

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Lloris
Tanganga Sanchez Dier Davies
Winks Sissoko
Lamela Dele Bergwijn
Kane

Save Bale, Son, Hojbjerg, Lucas, Reguilon, Toby and Ndombele for Sunday if we can. Sub Kane early as well, maybe even at HT if we're winning.

Start Vinnie - bring on Kane if needed

 

[buckley]

I believe the way to go is play your best team if you can get the game won and with five subs bring on the second string .
I notice lately Liverpool have been going down the route of starting with key players on the bench and as their form is poor they are brought on to rescue the match and its not working .
As I say best get the match won then bring on the cavalry .
Incidentally those that have been calling for the resting one if not all three SKB have been proved wrong yet again .
I dont believe our second string players are good enough to win us games personally and trying to retrieve games where you are one or two goals down with 15 to twenty minutes left of a game rarely works even with SKB .

 

[guy]

Something like 3-1 in London, 1-1 in Zagreb.

80% that we make it to the quarter finals.

They beat wolfberg in the group stages 1-0 and 3-0, so a sterner test

 

[guy]

Lloris
Aurier Sanchez Dier Davies
Sissoko Ndombele
Bale Lamela Dele
Kane

 

[SUIYHA]

I think the Kane substitution suggests he'll probably start, providing he hadn't picked up a niggle. I'd rest PEH, Bale, Son and Toby.

Lloris

Doherty - Sanchez - Dier - Reguilon

Sissoko - Ndombele

Lamela - Dele - Bergwijn

Kane​

Subs: Strongest bench which doesn't involve PEH or Toby.

Other than maybe Davies in for Reguilon - I think this is the winner.

I think Mourinho will want to be able to put the tie out of sight in the first leg without conceding any stupid away goals though, so can see him going a little stronger than this.

 

[JonnySpurs]

One of the keys here is to keep a clean sheet at home.

Strikes me that it's a toss up between going strong, try and get a 3-0 lead and then get all the big guns off, shut up shop and don't concede any away goals. We can then go to the 2nd leg with a rotated side and manage out the tie

OR

We rotate and hope that we can still win the game without conceding even if only 1 or 2-0. I have no concept of how good Zagreb are.

The thing is, we can win EL. Getting top 4 in the league is by no means a given, even if we were to go on a ridiculous unbeaten run in the league. One could argue it would be easier to win EL, if we really go for it, than to get top 4. It also gives a trophy that we desperately need.

I get the feeling Ndombele was rested last night to allow him to play on Thursday which gives an idea of Mourninho's intent. I think we'll go strong.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Potentially. I have a friend who supports Rijkea who says the best Croatian team is usually around mid table prem level. Will probably be a similar test to our last 3 games with the potential being there for a walkover or a tough slog.

Should be good preparation for Arsenal then

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Getting top 4 is going to be really difficult. It’s not as if we have to catch one team. Chelsea. Everton West Ham are all in it. If Liverpool come to life they might get back in.
An Everton win tonight might be best as it keeps Chelsea in striking distance of us and I feel Everton are more likely to blow up. Thought Leicester might struggle but managed 3 pts v Brighton.
We do have Utd. Leicester and Everton to play so we just have to keep winning. At least Jose looks like he is going to attack. Our defenders are not good enough to play defensive football.
Europa looks the best bet. Could do with Milan knocking out Man Utd.