EL: GNK Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 West Ham Utd (16/09/21)

[-DL-]

Thursday, 16th September KO 1745

We've waiting so long for his, and I can't wait!

I'm extremely jealous of those going. keep safe out there.

COYI!

[bubbles1966]

I think we 'll see at least a couple of changes for this one because we were not good today.

Expecting Zouma and Vlasic to start.

They are the #1 seeds in the group so a draw would be a pretty acceptable result, I think.

I wonder if Moyes will manage Bowen's time because of Antonio's ban.

[Billydinho]

I’ll never be used to these match threads.

Antonio and Areola definite starters. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Yarmolenko come in for Bowen and one of Kral or Noble come in for one of Rice or Soucek.

Reckon Fredericks will get minutes from the bench for either Fornals or straight swap for Coufal.

[Shabu]

The game is on at 9:45am on my birthday

Will be a great present if we win.

Under a different coach I would expect 4 or 5 changes, possibly more, but as it's Moyes no more than two.

But I'd go with a lot of changes with an eye to Sunday......

Areola
Fredericks Zouma Diop Johnson
Lanzini Kral Rice Benny
Vlasic Antonio

But what the f*ck do I know :lol:

[bubbles1966]

They reached the QFs last year, went unbeaten in their group and knocked Spurs out. Orsic had a blinder. looks like they play 4 at the back and have some big lads in their team.

[wormley]

Fact we've signed Vlasic should lessen the chance of any aggro.

[il_martello_di_genovesi]

Fact we've signed Vlasic should lessen the chance of any aggro.

Doubtful. Vlasic played for their biggest rivals.

[S-H]

Strongest side, no excuses.

[Burnley Hammer]

I'd like to see Lanzini play this - I've always had a feeling he'd excel in Europe. We definitely need some fresh legs in there and a spark of energy. I'd have thought Zouma would almost certainly play with his Champions League experience - same for Vlasic. The three Czech lads also have plenty of experience. There certainly shouldn't be any stage fright.

[General33]

I've followed the Croatian league for 13 years and watch games every weekend and been out there a lot.

If we play a full strength team then we should win really. They are nowhere near as strong as last year. Sold 2 of their best players and got a lot of defensive injuries.

[Burnley Hammer]

Strongest side, no excuses.

Its debatable what that is... what if your strongest side on paper is also your most knackered side.

We also have certain players that, at the moment, seem more suited for the Europa League than they do for the Premier League. I'm thinking Yarmolenko and Lanzini.

[General33]

For people going, Maksimir isn't the prettiest ground inside, you'll be miles away from pitch and they have a few portaloos inside, no real toilets so everyone pisses on the wall.

It will be a great atmosphere if Bad Blue Boys are there in full. The city and locals are great and very friendly but BBB aren't ha.

[TommyHammer]

Play as strong a side as possible. Couldn't care less about the game against Man Utd Sunday. Win Thursday and we could get smashed 5-0 Sunday for all I care. This should mean everything.

[Gale Force]

With this being our hardest looking fixture on paper, i can't see DM making too many changes.He won't want to lose the 1st game so maybe a change of formation to make us more solid defence wise.3/5 at the back with Zouma and Diop coming in alongside Dawson. Kral to come in for a tired looking Rice and Vlasic to start against his countrymen.

[Puff Daddy]

I think this is going to be quite a test for us. They have some pretty good players, including Mislav Orsic, a dangerous forward who scored against Tottenham in last season's competition and who will need careful attention to stop him scoring, the Croatian national GK and a few others besides. We will do well to come away from this with a point, but 3, will be marvelous

[EastleighHammer16]

Think we need to play as many of our squad that have experience of playing in Europe as possible.

Areola
Coufal
Ogbonna
Zouma
Masuaku (if fit)
Rice
Soucek
Bowen
Vlasic
Fornals
Antonio

That would be my team i think. Coufal, Zouma, Soucek, Vlasic all have plenty of European experience. Dec plays with the national team so this won't phase him. Without googling, i'm assuming Areola, Ogbonna and Masuaku have probably all played in Champions League at least once. Fornals maybe as well? Plenty of experience. Would take a point here. Would set us up nicely for the next couple of games.

[dodger]

Obvious ones to rest/drop:
Fabianski, Ogbonna, Dawson.

On top of those three, I’d say you’ve got to look at some of Rice/Soucek, Bowen/Fornals, Coufal/Cresswell as you can replace them all with decent players.

That leaves me with this:
Areola
Fredericks, Diop, Zouma, Cresswell
Kral, Soucek
Fornals, Lanzini, Benrahma
Antonio

That’s still a strong team that should get a point minimum and hopefully all three.

[El brooko79]

‐-----------Areola
Coufal--Zouma--Diop--Cress
--------Soucek----Rice
Fornals----Lanzini--Vlasic
-------------Antonio

Bowen will need to start up top on Sunday. Benrahma has it in him to do more damage than Lanzini but Manu will keep the ball better which will be important in a tough environment.
If we were at home would be tempted to rest Soucek.
But this game will need strong characters.
Rice is our captain on the pitch and needs to start our toughest game on paper.

[hammers92]

I'm off out there without a ticket. Anyone has any good places to recommend watching the game please PM me.

[Chadwell Chief]

Soucek has to be rested, the poor man is spent for f*** sake.

Areola
Fredericks Zouma Diop Cresswell
Rice Kral
Yarmolenko Vlasic Benrahma
Antonio

Come on you b*stard eye-rons.