Indeed! I anticipate he'll likely give Richarlison some decent minutes in the second half and Lankshear <15.

He'll start Solanke. He'll want to win. The theory is to go strong and win your home games in this new format. That almost certainly guarantees progression to the next phase.

Oh absolutely! But they also have ego & an instinct to want a bigger, shinier thing than their regional rivals. Which means they spend and they have VERY deep pockets. The Qataris are very likely to be involved.

Assuming there are other offers? It's probably very likely. Let's be honest though, there aren't many other options out there. Genuinely good ones anyway. It's stick or twist.

Neither team seemed particularly elite today! Hard to judge.

Meh it wasn't that bad. They got away with the goal they did score that day, Udogie won the ball before Salah dived. So it evened out.

What bad VAR call?

It was fine. Not sure why people are moaning.

Where was this outrage last season when Vicario was being held, pinched & shoved at every corner?! #nosympathy

Absolutely. If that's not given, it's a weak capitulation by the refs. City and Everton did FAR worse to Vicario last season and had their goals given lol.