I can definitely see Xhaka getting himself booked on Wednesday, most likely just through normal play, but if he's not got a yellow by the 85th minute I can see him taking one intentionally. He's almost certainly going to get to trigger the ban before they reset so it makes sense to do it now. I actually think the exact opposite for Sadiki, reckon he might be under instruction to try extra hard to AVOID a booking. City with both him and Xhaka missing would be a massacre, and with AFCON coming up, I reckon they will try to get him through to the Mags game so that he has a "free hit" to take a yellow there - he'd serve his ban whilst in Africa, anyway.
If they dont get booked tomorrow night would anyone rest them at City and give others a chance . My view is that I would . Xhaka is so important for the mags game in my opinion
That's all good thinking apart from Sadiki having to play, the remainder of the derby, on a yellow card.
Thing is it's a hard call. Both are integral to how we play - especially Xhaka. Although it's a risk, unless Reggie asks them to take a booking, I would keep them in the team and then hope for the best
100% Sadiki and especially Xhaka MUST play in the derby to give us any chance. The filths midfield is very good
Agreed definitely xhaka but gertrudia could step into midfield for sadiki to add height and strength.
No I just mean if he got a yellow in the derby it wouldn't matter, not that he should intentionally try to get one
It would if it was in the first half, that's a long time on a yellow in a derby ... ... I just don't want to lose the game 'by default'. A defeat is fine if we've done everything possible to win.
