blahblah wrote:I hadn't thought of it that way, but I'm not convinced about their defence and this Sweeper\Keeper idea (certainly in the Prem).
Can they get Leicester (assuming they win G) or is that not until the 2nd Round?
Not until the quarters, I think Pep was such a good coach at Barcelona (although I don't think he did particularly well with Bayern), that he should have his personnel all sorted and after two windows have his players bedded into his way of playing before the knockout rounds.
His teams have good enough players to be able to play the possession game properly and this should help City have a better defensive record. His teams' (well really Bayern) have however come badly unstuck against quick counter attacking opposition in the Champions League before now, notably losing to Real 5-0 on aggregate in his first season with Bayern.
His record in the Champions League with the Germans, having inherited the then champions, was particularly unimpressive as he followed this ignominious hammering with a heavy defeat to Barca the following year, and then finally Atletico were their conquerors in his third season.
Pep will be hoping City's story will be a continuation of the success he enjoyed at Barca rather the more mixed path he took with Bayern.