I don't doubt our mentality and ability to bounce back but i think the first goal is absolutely crucial in this match.
We also need to keep a close eye on dzeko. He loves peeling off the back of the strikers and getting on the end of any balls flashed across the face of the goal as recently seen against Southampton and against us in the league games. They also like to overload the wings with 3/4 players hovering around our full back and center half while the likes of Toure/silva and Nasri can hurt us through the middle and cutting in... so needless to say its a massive game for the 5 at the back (including Gerrards DM role here).
Anyway, enough about them. Sturridges and Sterlings pace is key for us, keeping their fbs (likely clichy and zabaleta) pinned back and dragging Kompany and Demechiles all over the shop. It all depends how much BR wants to go at it from the off. Eg Sterling running at them from the beginning and pressing them like fck ala Arsenal and Everton. Or a more patient performance, more akin to an away game with Allen/Lucas coming in to make up the numbers or follow Silva about . There's merits for both approaches but seeing as we're at home i'd rather we played our normal game, went for it and win, lose or draw we wont be asking 'what if' after 90 minutes. Lest we forget we have a little maestro called Luis Suarez up there too with a few tricks up his sleeve!
Big game for Clattenburg as well. I'm hoping hes impartial in that he doesn't shy from some decisions bcus he thinks the crowd are calling for everything and baying for the City players blood.
What a game we're in for, my life is completely consumed by us at the moment. Every conceivable activity is filled with thoughts of Sunday and what might be (dont tell the missus that tho).
