FC Rostov 1:1 Manchester United

Full bodied red · Mar 8, 2017

Got a bad feeling about tomorrow night....

I'd prefer an Anfield-this-year-like approach - keeper, eight defenders, with Pogba between them and Ibra or Rashford alone up front.

top1whoisman · Mar 8, 2017

The disappointment when Mkhi doesn't play tomorrow

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Adebesi · Mar 8, 2017

Not such a long trip for the Armenian journalists of course.

evra · Mar 8, 2017

After seeing that pitch I think 442 with Fellaini and Ibra up front. Put it in the mixer!

VP89 · Mar 8, 2017

Wouldn't want to see us play mkhitaryan tomorrow.. It's too big a risk imo.

top1whoisman · Mar 8, 2017

Ivan DANILYANTS, head coach of Rostov:

- In what state are Janaev and Poloz?
- Everything is ready for the match. As for the lineup - the decision will be taken tomorrow. Now I can not say anything about this.

- What can you say about Mkhitaryan?
- It's nice that my compatriot plays in such a team. But in their squad all the players are dangerous. By the way, tomorrow in the stands there will be many Armenians who, on the one hand, will support Mkhitaryan, and on the other - wish that Rostov wins. One of these fans came to me at the airport and said that he would shout to Mkhitaryan in Armenian "do not score!"

- You beat Bayern and played well against Atlético. How do you assess your chances against Manchester United?
- We have all the matches in European competition - the most important. Tomorrow everything will be the same. The skill of all our rivals was higher, and we needed to gain experience at this level.

- Is it more important to score or not concede tomorrow?
- It would be nice to achieve both. It must be remembered that this duel consists of two games. Of course, we will try to score and not concede.

- Mourinho criticized the pitch. What do you think about this?
- It really is not the quality that our guests are accustomed to playing. In England, it’s quite different, but tomorrow the pitch will be the same for everyone. This must be remembered.

- Mourinho said that the match should be postponed because of the state of the pitch. What do you think about it?
- I do not remember that there were such precedents. We already played a match with Sparta on a pitch, which was even worse. In general, these issues are not in our hand, it's UEFA’s decision. We also would like to play on an ideal pitch, but, unfortunately, it is impossible in this case.

- The Portuguese is worried that his players can get injured. Are you also worried about this?
- Football is a contact sport. The quality of the pitch increases the risk of getting injured. But injuries can happen in any circumstances.

Mihai MEVLYA, defender of "Rostov":

- You recently had a baby. This will be an additional incentive for such a match?
- Yes, it was only 12 days ago. Now I'm very happy. And this is really a big motivation, but Manchester United for me is quite a serious motivation in any case.

- Your defensive line managed to neutralize Lewandowski in the fall. How will you fight against Ibrahimovic?
- We have met a parade of top forwards this season - Lewandowski, Torres, now Ibrahimovic. We will try our best to stop him. But we are strong team, not just for marking.

bucky · Mar 8, 2017

Not sure how postponing the game would help us. The pitch might get better, but our schedule will not. Score draw or scrappy win should be good enough.

whatwha · Mar 8, 2017

Very decent value on the bet "Rostov or Draw" - 2.05. Just saying, with so many people having negative predictions in this thread.

red4ever 79 · Mar 8, 2017

Same pitch for both teams. Get on with it and stop complaining bunch of fannies

Rhyme Animal · Mar 8, 2017

Phil Jones 79 said:
Same pitch for both teams. Get on with it and stop complaining bunch of fannies

Except it's their home pitch, so not quite the same, is it?

VeevaVee · Mar 8, 2017

top1whoisman said:
Ivan DANILYANTS, head coach of Rostov:

- In what state are Janaev and Poloz?
- Everything is ready for the match. As for the lineup - the decision will be taken tomorrow. Now I can not say anything about this.

- What can you say about Mkhitaryan?
- It's nice that my compatriot plays in such a team. But in their squad all the players are dangerous. By the way, tomorrow in the stands there will be many Armenians who, on the one hand, will support Mkhitaryan, and on the other - wish that Rostov wins. One of these fans came to me at the airport and said that he would shout to Mkhitaryan in Armenian "do not score!"

- You beat Bayern and played well against Atlético. How do you assess your chances against Manchester United?
- We have all the matches in European competition - the most important. Tomorrow everything will be the same. The skill of all our rivals was higher, and we needed to gain experience at this level.

- Is it more important to score or not concede tomorrow?
- It would be nice to achieve both. It must be remembered that this duel consists of two games. Of course, we will try to score and not concede.

- Mourinho criticized the pitch. What do you think about this?
- It really is not the quality that our guests are accustomed to playing. In England, it’s quite different, but tomorrow the pitch will be the same for everyone. This must be remembered.

- Mourinho said that the match should be postponed because of the state of the pitch. What do you think about it?
- I do not remember that there were such precedents. We already played a match with Sparta on a pitch, which was even worse. In general, these issues are not in our hand, it's UEFA’s decision. We also would like to play on an ideal pitch, but, unfortunately, it is impossible in this case.

- The Portuguese is worried that his players can get injured. Are you also worried about this?
- Football is a contact sport. The quality of the pitch increases the risk of getting injured. But injuries can happen in any circumstances.

Mihai MEVLYA, defender of "Rostov":

- You recently had a baby. This will be an additional incentive for such a match?
- Yes, it was only 12 days ago. Now I'm very happy. And this is really a big motivation, but Manchester United for me is quite a serious motivation in any case.

- Your defensive line managed to neutralize Lewandowski in the fall. How will you fight against Ibrahimovic?
- We have met a parade of top forwards this season - Lewandowski, Torres, now Ibrahimovic. We will try our best to stop him. But we are strong team, not just for marking.

Ivan sounds like a nice guy.

Seems like they'll have their heads screwed on for this too.

VeevaVee · Mar 8, 2017

Also, I fecking thought this was tonight for some reason. Evening ruined

Adebesi · Mar 8, 2017

VeevaVee said:
Also, I fecking thought this was tonight for some reason. Evening ruined

Im sure after the last game they repeatedly said this one would be on the Wednesday. They kept saying it to make sure people didnt accidentally miss it.

Snafu17 · Mar 8, 2017

top1whoisman said:
Ivan DANILYANTS, head coach of Rostov:

Mihai MEVLYA

It's Miha Mevlja. He's not russian, he's slovenian. I presume someone translated this from cyrillic alphabet and just came up with the most russian sounding name possible.

top1whoisman · Mar 8, 2017

Snafu17 said:
It's Miha Mevlja. He's not russian, he's slovenian. I presume someone translated this from cyrillic alphabet and just came up with the most russian sounding name possible.

Aye, just google translated all that from Rostov's website and corrected the most obvious mistakes. Couldn't be arsed to check a name of a player of FC Rostov. :nervous:

red4ever 79 · Mar 8, 2017

Rhyme Animal said:
Except it's their home pitch, so not quite the same, is it?

So judging by your logic we should have the advantage in the second leg on a good pitch,because that's our pitch?

Rhyme Animal · Mar 8, 2017

Phil Jones 79 said:
So judging by your logic we should have the advantage in the second leg on a good pitch,because that's our pitch?

That sounds pretty sensible to me.

I guess the big differential being that their pitch is actually anomalously bad - but they're totally used to it.

Ixion · Mar 8, 2017

Get out of there with a draw and I'll be happy.

Ramshock · Mar 8, 2017

Who is the danger man for this lot?

Ramshock · Mar 8, 2017

Ixion said:
Get out of there with a score draw and I'll be happy.

fyp

balaks · Mar 8, 2017

Rhyme Animal said:
Except it's their home pitch, so not quite the same, is it?

What does that even mean? Whether it's their own pitch or not, if it's in crap shape that is crap for both teams.

Sunny Jim · Mar 8, 2017

VeevaVee said:
Also, I fecking thought this was tonight for some reason. Evening ruined

St Entien away was on Wednesday.

ti vu · Mar 8, 2017

balaks said:
What does that even mean? Whether it's their own pitch or not, if it's in crap shape that is crap for both teams.

Less crap for the team who is used to it (have tactic/ strategy based on it & experience through trial & error). Stamford Bridge surface used to be terrible & Chelsea did have some advantage due to it beside the home supporting atmosphere.

Not to mention big team & popular players

podurban2 · Mar 8, 2017

Ramshock said:
Who is the danger man for this lot?

Iranian Messi apparently.

jackofalltrades · Mar 8, 2017

Can you get so used to playing on a bad surface that it would give you an advantage ? If it's so bad, surely everything like bounces etc, would be unpredictable, wouldn't they ? And more professional and better players should be able to respond to that quicker, shouldnt they ?

charlenefan · Mar 8, 2017

Definitely don't play Mkhitaryan (not from the start at least)

BringNaniBack · Mar 8, 2017

Playing as many of our second team as we can tomorrow would be my choice. With the poor pitch and the risk of injuries it's not worth the risk plus I am sure we can come away with some sort of half decent result there with our reserves and then batter them at Old Trafford.

VorZakone · Mar 8, 2017

Ugh watching Barca - PSG and then Rostov - United on that pitch. Just feck me.

United really needs to get back in the CL.

SuperiorXI · Mar 8, 2017

Who cares about the pitch? Both teams have to play on it. Stop whinging.

If we don't beat this no mark team I want nothing to do with the CL or EL as it would obviously be too much for us at the moment.

WhoDaGOAT · Mar 8, 2017

VorZakone said:
Ugh watching Barca - PSG and then Rostov - United on that pitch. Just feck me.

United really needs to get back in the CL.

I don't think we're good enough, to be honest. We'd be exiting our group early like Spurs.

There's still a ways to go before we will be a competent Champions League outfit again. Our away record needs to be improved on. Mourinho will definitely help in that regard. His teams often reach the semi-finals.

Android1974 · Mar 8, 2017

BringNaniBack said:
Playing as many of our second team as we can tomorrow would be my choice. With the poor pitch and the risk of injuries it's not worth the risk plus I am sure we can come away with some sort of half decent result there with our reserves and then batter them at Old Trafford.

The thing is that we only have a three days rest till the second leg, so some of best might not be full steam after Chelsea away on Monday night.

Sweet Square · Mar 9, 2017

0-2 United

pixel · Mar 9, 2017

balaks said:
What does that even mean? Whether it's their own pitch or not, if it's in crap shape that is crap for both teams.

Clearly a team that is used to playing on it would have some advantage.

Grunge · Mar 9, 2017

I'd be comfortable playing our "usual" & strongest lineup, starting with DDG in net

Back four will be routine, Bailly is out, so Tony, Chris, Marcos & Daley

with Michael in the "cover" position

and Herrera & Pogba will both start as play-makers with a "cautious" approach, depending on how rough the pitch really is;

I'm thinking Mkhi will start regardless of pitch or weather conditions & play the number 10 role behind Ibra while

Juan will slide out to the right (and back in to the middle on a regular basis) and then it's a toss up as to whether its

Marcus or Anthony to fill the left-sided role?

... although I'd be okay including Ashley from the start, he will be willing to go forward when he can, and by playng really wide (compare to the kids)!

He's simply the best best defensive left-sided wide man we have, so including him would not be the biggest surprise to me.

SqueakyWeasel · Mar 9, 2017

The club have apparently warned the travelling fans not to wear their shirts (like in Ukraine last November). This is appalling! Why should Manchester United have to go there all if it's unsafe for the players (state of the pitch) and the violent home "fans"?

Why are United even in the Russia in a UEFA competition if it's not safe to play there, or visit there in the first place?

Can you imagine if this were in England – the outcry would reverberate around the world!

Not even going to mention that FIFA chose Russia over England as a venue for the next world cup … pointless!

MullerUtd · Mar 9, 2017

It's important we get an away goal. I hope we score even if it's a narrow loss. I'd rather take a 1-2 loss than a 0-0 draw back home. I hope we can beat them 1-0, 2-1 but ideally the best scoreline would be 2-0. It will be a very tight game. Think it will probably be like 0-0 or 1-0 to either side.

Sammyjunn · Mar 9, 2017

Phil Jones 79 said:
Same pitch for both teams. Get on with it and stop complaining bunch of fannies

You do know they play on this every othet week so it's not the same. Furthermore this isnt amateur football, get your pitch to a decent standard should be the minimum.

SqueakyWeasel · Mar 9, 2017

Sammyjunn said:
You do know they play on this every othet week so it's not the same. Furthermore this isnt amateur football, get your pitch to a decent standard should be the minimum.

Phil Jones 79 said:
Same pitch for both teams. Get on with it and stop complaining bunch of fannies

Rhyme Animal said:
Except it's their home pitch, so not quite the same, is it?

pixel said:
Clearly a team that is used to playing on it would have some advantage.

They only play European games on this pitch so they won't be so used to it surely. Their League pitch is even further east and even more unwelcoming and still about 400 miles (560km) from their actual home ground – ground changes due to the on-going conflict with (guess-who) …

Schmiznurf · Mar 9, 2017

SqueakyWeasel said:
The club have apparently warned the travelling fans not to wear their shirts. This is appalling! Why let them go at all? Why are United even in the Ukraine in a UEFA competition if it's not safe to play there in the first place because of its location and Russian influence?

That last is a nice touch, bet our boys don't get this protection tonight …

Hope the 270 odd travelling fans all come back safely! Take care boys!

EDIT: Did realise it's in the Ukraine

It's in Russia.

pixel · Mar 9, 2017

SqueakyWeasel said:
They only play European games on this pitch so they won't be so used to it surely. Their League pitch is even further east and even more unwelcoming and still about 400 miles (560km) from their actual home ground – ground changes due to the on-going conflict with (guess-who) …

But doesn't that mean they are used to playing on a surface with uneven bounce and what not. Which kind of proves what we are saying...a bad surface would suit their style more than ours.

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FC Rostov 1:1 Manchester United

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