Team v Fiorentina (EL Round of 32) - 1st & 2nd legs

[mark87]

Not a chance in hell of that team.

Yep. Might be the team for the home leg if we win comfortably on Thursday.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I was about to say this is very ambitious, but actually in Europe they've lost at home to both Basel and Lech Poznan this season so it's certainly doable.

They have indeed, but they rotated heavily for the group stage in EL (inclusive of using a goalie who is miles away from being part of the Serie A squad). The big question is will they rotate now too, or not?

If they choose to continue the rotation, we will have the upper hand by far. They may choose to do so because of their intense CL fight with 2 other clubs in Serie A. (3 clubs fighting for the last spot). On the other hand, their next domestic opponent is Atalanta, who despite a decent place in the league, have been performing really poorly for 2 months.

 

[talkshowhost86]

They have indeed, but they rotated heavily for the group stage in EL (inclusive of using a goalie who is miles away from being part of the Serie A squad). The big question is will they rotate now too, or not?

If they choose to continue the rotation, we will have the upper hand by far. They may choose to do so because of their intense CL fight with 2 other clubs in Serie A. (3 clubs fighting for the last spot). On the other hand, their next domestic opponent is Atalanta, who despite a decent place in the league, have been performing really poorly for 2 months.

I imagine, like us, they will go relatively strong in the first leg and then go from there.

It's a shame really as I'd like to see us go head to head with Fiorentina's first team.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I imagine, like us, they will go relatively strong in the first leg and then go from there.

It's a shame really as I'd like to see us go head to head with Fiorentina's first team.

Oh yes, me too!
The upside is, if both teams rotate over two legs, we are better.

 

[Japhet]

Vorm
Trippier Alderweireld Wimmer Davies
Mason Bentaleb
Lamela Carroll Chadli
Son

Lloris Walker Rose Dembele Alli Eriksen Kane
​

Fullbacks get rotated anyway, centre backs need to continue forging an understanding. Mason, Bentaleb and Carroll in for Dier, Dembele and Eriksen as they play every match. The former two were our first choice cm last season anyway. Alli and Kane could also do with a break so in come Chadli and Lamela, while Son hasn't played as much anyway and should be fresh.

I'd have Dier in for Mason. We could be under the cosh and Mason/Bentaleb pairing gives me sleepless nights if we're not in complete control.

 

[phil]

Lloris has played every game in the Europa League so far and Vorm has played every game in the domestic cups. I don't know why people are putting Vorm in the team to play Fiorentina.

I think we could also pencil in confidently starts for Trippier, Davies and Lamela, and Dembele not to start (Mason to replace?).

I heard at the beginning of the season (from a good source) that Hugo told Levy/Poch that he wanted to play in all European matches this season.

I think we'll play our strongest team on Thursday; probably the City team with Trippier, Davies and Lamela replacing Walker, Rose and Son.

I expect that Poch will then rest Hugo, Dembele, Dier or Aldervereld, Alli, Eriksen and Harry for the Palace game. Hopefully Poch will be able to rest more players for the Fiorentina return.

 

[danielneeds]

I'm actually really looking forward to this game - they are a handy side going pretty well in Serie A this year. I really want to to see if we can apply a press on them and some Premier League tempo and try to stun them into submission early.

 

[JAYSTAR]

Changed my mind after looking at the fixtures again. We need to play a very good team against Fiorentina (first match); youngsters against Palace; a mixture for Fiorentina return match then our 'best' first team vs Swansea and Arsenal.

Vs Fiorentina (and West Ham):

Lloris
Trippier Toby Wimmer Davies
Dier Dembele
Lamela Alli Eriksen
Kane​

Palace:

Vorm
Walker CCV Dier Rose
Bentaleb Mason
Onomah Carroll Chadli
Son​

Fiorentina: (rest Dier)

Lloris
Trippier Toby Wimmer Davies
Bentaleb Mason
Lamela Eriksen Chadli
Kane
​

Best team vs Swansea and Arsenal:

Lloris
Walker Toby Wimmer Rose
Dembele Dier
Lamela Alli Eriksen
Kane
​

Impact subs: Son, Chadli, Carroll when on the bench.

​

 

[nightgoat]

They fielded their best team (and won).

I saw the end of that game, Inter had a player wrongly sent off and Fiorentina scored a lucky winner in the last minute thanks to some dodgy goalkeeping. Good that they had an important league game the same day we played Man City.

 

[thfc12]

Just released on Twitter that Lloris is out because of the shoulder injury he picked up against City in the last minute to give us the win. Vorm to start against Fiorentina and Palace then.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Oh shit

 

[Adam456]

I no

With an FA Cup match to follow we should put out our strongest XI and try to win this tie in the first fixture, then rotate at the weekend and hopefully the home fixture, giving (most of) the following players 10 days' rest before Swansea:

Lloris
Trippier Alderweireld Wimmer Rose
Dier Dembele
Lamela Eriksen Alli
Kane​

I normally say fck the Europa but I'm inclined to agree on this occasion and give the first XI 9 days rest before the next league game. Then hopefully no need to play a strong side in the home leg

 

[bubble07]

I would rather Dier played both europa matches rather then palace as he is on 8 bookings

WE DO NOT WANT HIM TO GET TO 10 BEFORE WE PLAY ARSENAL

 

[worcestersauce]

I expect it's just a bit sore but why risk him for Europa.
Strong team for this one go for the win rest a few for the home leg.

 

[Sputic]

I was about to say this is very ambitious, but actually in Europe they've lost at home to both Basel and Lech Poznan this season so it's certainly doable.

I'd agree that it's very ambitious, but it'd be very nice if it happened.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I would rather Dier played both europa matches rather then palace as he is on 8 bookings

WE DO NOT WANT HIM TO GET TO 10 BEFORE WE PLAY ARSENAL

Good point.

 

[dagraham]

Oh shit

View attachment 22053

Rather he miss those games than PL games.

 

[Geyzer Soze]

Rather he miss those games than PL games.

Certainly. I just hope it's not one of these 'couple of games' which turns into a black hole of time & space ...

 

[Ghost Hardware]

Looking at training pics seems we have very much taken our strongest team bar Lloris. Would imagine a similar team to last weekend to start bar a few small changes.

 

[Spurger King]

Vorm
Walker__Alderweireld__Wimmer__Davies
Mason__Carroll
Onomah__Lamela__Chadders
Son​