[han2503]

Abbiati
Abate - Mexes - Bonera - Antonini
Aquilani - Ambrosini - Muntari
Boateng
El Shaarawy - Ibrahimovic

That's what I'd like to see. I'd rest Seedorf and Nocerino. Nesta, van Bommel and Robinho must be kept healthy for Barça.

I'd rest Boateng and start VB for the first 60 minutes, just to get some time on his legs so he isn't rusty.

So mine would be

Abbiati
Abate - Mexes - Bonera - Mesbah
Aquilani - VB - Ambro
Urby
Maxi - Ibrahimovic

I'd also rest Antonini, Mesbah should be ok here, this is the highest level that he can be trusted in. Muntari is suspended, so that's definately off the table as an option. If El Shaa could play behind the front 2 I'd drop Ambro, push Urby back and play El Shaa in the hole.

If Ambro can do what he did yesterday again in the 2nd leg than I'd rest him here and start him again on Tuesday

For Barca:

Bonera--Nesta--Mexes
Abate--VB--Ambro--Antonini
Boateng--Seedorf
Ibra

But if we're going to play with 2 strikers, I'd rather it be Maxi, that's why I'd play him against Catania, see what he can do next to Ibra

Aye. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) I've been hearing winds Pato may come back for the return leg, who knows?!

I've heard hat as well...

Pato would be exactly what's needed against Barca imo, he's the only one that can really burn the Barca defence and score (unless Ibra shows up that is)

[acid911]

Pato would be exactly what's needed against Barca imo, he's the only one that can really burn the Barca defence and score (unless Ibra shows up that is)

Yeah, and for this reason alone I'd love Pato getting a start. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Last I heard he postponed any major treatment for off season, and was training hard these past few days. For all I know, the duck may just be fit enough to start playing again. And if he timed his return at the Camp, then he has it in him to to trouble Barcelona.

[han2503]

Yeah, and for this reason alone I'd love Pato getting a start. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Last I heard he postponed any major treatment for off season, and was training hard these past few days. For all I know, the duck may just be fit enough to start playing again. And if he timed his return at the Camp, then he has it in him to to trouble Barcelona.

Problem is that if that is the case, he'll most likely get injured before the game ends

[acid911]

Problem is that if that is the case, he'll most likely get injured before the game ends

As long as the match is not in San Siro, I have hope. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) Of him not picking up an injury, that is.

[han2503]

As long as the match is not in San Siro, I have hope. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sleep.gif) Of him not picking up an injury, that is.

Good point

Look at that goal he scored in the group stage against them, he'd probably have pulled up if he tried to sprint like that at the San Siro

[acid911]

Exactly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I remember Pato sprinting full speed ahead against Napoli after returning from injury an year or so back, and then going down like someone shot him. Anyway, I'd probably hate myself for saying this, but even if he gets injured but scores a goal that sees us through, I'll take it. There. I said it.

[han2503]

Exactly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I remember Pato sprinting full speed ahead against Napoli after returning from injury an year or so back, and then going down like someone shot him. Anyway, I'd probably hate myself for saying this, but even if he gets injured but scores a goal that sees us through, I'll take it. There. I said it.

Me too. We've been ok without him plus it's not like he won't go down again the following week anyway

[acid911]

Me too. We've been ok without him plus it's not like he won't go down again the following week anyway

Agreed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) As long as he is fiery enough in the return leg, I am fairly certain he can finish better than both Ibra and Robinho. And don't even get me started on Emanuelson and his lack of a right foot. Don't get me wrong, all three bring a lot to the table, none more so ever than Ibra, but their shooting left everything to be desired yesterday.

Pato, simple put, for all his injuries, inconsistencies, and bad decision making is still a better (pure) finisher. Give him a half chance in the right location, and he'll finish it for you. Say what people may, the boy's got natural talent. He started the job against Barcelona all those moons back, and I wouldn't mind him finishing it.

That is, provided he gets back and starts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) But I have been hearing reports that Pato's been training. Let's see!

[han2503]

Agreed. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) As long as he is fiery enough in the return leg, I am fairly certain he can finish better than both Ibra and Robinho. And don't even get me started on Emanuelson and his lack of a right foot. Don't get me wrong, all three bring a lot to the table, none more so ever than Ibra, but their shooting left everything to be desired yesterday.

Pato, simple put, for all his injuries, inconsistencies, and bad decision making is still a better (pure) finisher. Give him a half chance in the right location, and he'll finish it for you. Say what people may, the boy's got natural talent. He started the job against Barcelona all those moons back, and I wouldn't mind him finishing it.

That is, provided he gets back and starts. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) But I have been hearing reports that Pato's been training. Let's see!

Cassano as well trained with the team, so we're getting our attack back these next few weeks

[X-Offender]

Pato's season is probably over, what are you guys talking about???

[X-Offender]

I'd rest Boateng and start VB for the first 60 minutes, just to get some time on his legs so he isn't rusty.

So mine would be

Abbiati
Abate - Mexes - Bonera - Mesbah
Aquilani - VB - Ambro
Urby
Maxi - Ibrahimovic

I'd also rest Antonini, Mesbah should be ok here, this is the highest level that he can be trusted in. Muntari is suspended, so that's definately off the table as an option. If El Shaa could play behind the front 2 I'd drop Ambro, push Urby back and play El Shaa in the hole.

If Ambro can do what he did yesterday again in the 2nd leg than I'd rest him here and start him again on Tuesday

For Barca:

Bonera--Nesta--Mexes
Abate--VB--Ambro--Antonini
Boateng--Seedorf
Ibra

But if we're going to play with 2 strikers, I'd rather it be Maxi, that's why I'd play him against Catania, see what he can do next to Ibra


I've heard hat as well...

Pato would be exactly what's needed against Barca imo, he's the only one that can really burn the Barca defence and score (unless Ibra shows up that is)

Oh, I forgot about Muntari's suspension. So, then I'd play Emanuelson as LCM. Boateng must play as much as possible to get match fitness.

[acid911]

Pato's season is probably over, what are you guys talking about???

Yeah, that's what I thought, until the last few days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) But I've read in places that Pato's back to training, or at the very least, back to full fitness. Relatively speaking, of course, fitness for Pato is a relative thing. You never know they may play him against Barcelona at their home, just for the shock value alone.

[acid911]

Cassano as well trained with the team, so we're getting our attack back these next few weeks

Yeah, just read that the doctors will give the final verdict on him on Monday. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy.gif) Him alone will give us an extra edge for the away leg against Barca. Though him and Pato will not be at 100%, they'll have percentages enough, I am sure. More importantly Van Bommel will be back and raring to go, so that's a plus plus.

[Zed.D]

Pato's season is probably over, what are you guys talking about???

Says who? give us a source.

They said he's flying to America to see specialists. he hadn't sustained another injury after the last one IINM. should be OK to return to training when he gets back to Italy.

This post has been edited by Zed.D: Mar 29 2012, 06:11 PM

[X-Offender]

Yeah, that's what I thought, until the last few days. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) But I've read in places that Pato's back to training, or at the very least, back to full fitness. Relatively speaking, of course, fitness for Pato is a relative thing. You never know they may play him against Barcelona at their home, just for the shock value alone.

I really don't think so.

Says who? give us a source.

They said he's flying to America to see specialists. he hadn't sustained another injury after the last one IINM.

No link, just what I hear on various Serie A shows.