Real Madrid (A) - CL R16 Post Match thread

[decmancity]

no doubt Walker's foot was like wet paper but his overall tracking and positioning in a situation that quickly changed was brilliant, but his tackle was crap. Rodri made a mess of it and Ota was just chaotic

you can see Bernardo throw his arms down in frustration on the right wing when Mahrez opted to go backwards and Mendy calling for it when Rodri first received it. Even Rodri's backtracking, which he did well, followed the ball (with 3 others) instead of looking up and noving right towards Isco.

was a right mess overall and Pep will let them know it

Agreed, I went mental when it happened. Just thought it was 'typical city', dont take our chances and shoot ourselves in the foot. Thankfully we got out of it!

 

[razman]

Good longish read

 

[ancoats]

Highlight of the week? Kev putting the penalty away that means they need to score at least twice in the home leg - or seeing an eagle flying next to the A3 on the way back to Alicante.

Clue - I didn't leap in the air in the car...

its a good result but city still need to come out and play and beat madrid ? even if city score first its still the same for madrid needing 2 goals for extra time and pens, so if city can score twice then its a up hill for madrid, i feel city have too much for them and had goals on the bench last night in sterling and aguero and david silva, so its up to pep if wants to open them up or settle for the 2 away goals and just play out the tie

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Is anyone else concerned about Rodri?

I'm not talking about his technical proficiency, eye for a pass, nor using his massive frame when he has to.

I was excited about his early few performances and his showing away at Burnley was a masterclass.

His positional sense is way off, seems to be getting caught the wrong side of the ball.

More alarmingly, there are now times where he doesn't even try to get back in. His lack of pace is further pronounced when he is out of position.

I don't see him as Fernandinho's long-term replacement, perhaps higher up?

Which means we still need to find a sitting midfielder.

Kudos to Gundo last night, he grew a pair once Modric tried to roll his ankle.

 

[Del_Bosque]

Is anyone else concerned about Rodri?

I'm not talking about his technical proficiency, eye for a pass, nor using his massive frame when he has to.

I was excited about his early few performances and his showing away at Burnley was a masterclass.

His positional sense is way off, seems to be getting caught the wrong side of the ball.

More alarmingly, there are now times where he doesn't even try to get back in. His lack of pace is further pronounced when he is out of position.

I don't see him as Fernandinho's long-term replacement, perhaps higher up?

Which means we still need to find a sitting midfielder.

Kudos to Gundo last night, he grew a pair once Modric tried to roll his ankle.

shocking buy, million miles from Fernandinho

gives the ball away in dangerous positions as well

 

[theres only one carlito]

Is anyone else concerned about Rodri?

I'm not talking about his technical proficiency, eye for a pass, nor using his massive frame when he has to.

I was excited about his early few performances and his showing away at Burnley was a masterclass.

His positional sense is way off, seems to be getting caught the wrong side of the ball.

More alarmingly, there are now times where he doesn't even try to get back in. His lack of pace is further pronounced when he is out of position.

I don't see him as Fernandinho's long-term replacement, perhaps higher up?

Which means we still need to find a sitting midfielder.

Kudos to Gundo last night, he grew a pair once Modric tried to roll his ankle.

Seen it since the early part of the season.
Positionally poor. Constantly told by Kyle Walker where he should be. Zero pace. Has passing brain farts consistently. He’s as good as fernando was. But stronger.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

shocking buy, million miles from Fernandinho

gives the ball away in dangerous positions as well

I wouldn't say he was shocking, there is a player in there, undoubtedly.

It's whether he fills the actual criteria we has been led to believe?

He has shades of Yaya about him, he's a young lad getting used to a new league, but I'm not sure he's going to get any fitter or quicker for what is required in that Fern role?

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

Is anyone else concerned about Rodri?

I'm not talking about his technical proficiency, eye for a pass, nor using his massive frame when he has to.

I was excited about his early few performances and his showing away at Burnley was a masterclass.

His positional sense is way off, seems to be getting caught the wrong side of the ball.

More alarmingly, there are now times where he doesn't even try to get back in. His lack of pace is further pronounced when he is out of position.

I don't see him as Fernandinho's long-term replacement, perhaps higher up?

Which means we still need to find a sitting midfielder.

Kudos to Gundo last night, he grew a pair once Modric tried to roll his ankle.

I’m very concerned. His speed of thought is so slow, he really struggled against the press. By comparison, Casemiro found 6 yards of space against Gundogan all night and this enabled them to have an out against our press, because they really struggled against the front 3.

I agree, Gundogan was fantastic last night...perhaps because they targeted Rodri which allowed Gundogan the same space Casemiro was able to make for himself?

I think Rodri is a centre half tbh. Really reminds me of Vinny in the middle. Drop him back, eliminating his lack of pace as an issue and he’ll flourish.

 

[Marvin]

Is anyone else concerned about Rodri?

I'm not talking about his technical proficiency, eye for a pass, nor using his massive frame when he has to.

I was excited about his early few performances and his showing away at Burnley was a masterclass.

His positional sense is way off, seems to be getting caught the wrong side of the ball.

More alarmingly, there are now times where he doesn't even try to get back in. His lack of pace is further pronounced when he is out of position.

I don't see him as Fernandinho's long-term replacement, perhaps higher up?

Which means we still need to find a sitting midfielder.

Kudos to Gundo last night, he grew a pair once Modric tried to roll his ankle.

His lack of pace is a bit of a problem. We won though. Problems are relative.

 

[kinky's boots]

Who the fuck wrote that? A 2 year old?.

Tbf I don't usually celebrate a goal now either, especially if it seems there could be any possibility of it being ruled out.

We can thank VAR for this- the crowd- especially our crowd- are not going to celebrate goals now until at least the kick off whistle...

 

[Marvin]

its a good result but city still need to come out and play and beat madrid ? even if city score first its still the same for madrid needing 2 goals for extra time and pens, so if city can score twice then its a up hill for madrid, i feel city have too much for them and had goals on the bench last night in sterling and aguero and david silva, so its up to pep if wants to open them up or settle for the 2 away goals and just play out the tie

I think we can play a possession game and then look to pick Real Madrid off as we did yesterday. I don't know what else Real Madrid have in their locker. I can see Bale playing for a start.

 

[shemnel]

I think we can play a possession game and then look to pick Real Madrid off as we did yesterday. I don't know what else Real Madrid have in their locker. I can see Bale playing for a start.

yeah i think having Bale and Hazard (will be fit?) will see a different attacking dynamic. I think City need to be very wary this tie is far from over, losing at home to Madrid isnt exactly fantasy land stuff so we need to remain professional, which im sure we will

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I’m very concerned. His speed of thought is so slow, he really struggled against the press. By comparison, Casemiro found 6 yards of space against Gundogan all night and this enabled them to have an out against our press, because they really struggled against the front 3.

I agree, Gundogan was fantastic last night...perhaps because they targeted Rodri which allowed Gundogan the same space Casemiro was able to make for himself?

I think Rodri is a centre half tbh. Really reminds me of Vinny in the middle. Drop him back, eliminating his lack of pace as an issue and he’ll flourish.

That's a very interesting analogy although Vinny was a lot quicker than people gave him credit for.

Rodri seems more battering ram, so more suited at the top of the midfield (where we don't have a problem)

 

[domalino]

I’m very concerned. His speed of thought is so slow, he really struggled against the press. By comparison, Casemiro found 6 yards of space against Gundogan all night and this enabled them to have an out against our press, because they really struggled against the front 3.

I agree, Gundogan was fantastic last night...perhaps because they targeted Rodri which allowed Gundogan the same space Casemiro was able to make for himself?

I think Rodri is a centre half tbh. Really reminds me of Vinny in the middle. Drop him back, eliminating his lack of pace as an issue and he’ll flourish.

What team have you been watching for the past 4 years where not having pace is fine at CB?

This is going to end one way. Rodri at 6 for the next 5+ years and people getting over it. Slow speed of thought? Pep would piss himself hearing some of these hot takes.

 

[fathellensbellend]

An absolute masterclass from the team and Pep, thank goodness those in charge don't listen to those clowns questioning pep last month.

 

[Thaksinssoldier]

What team have you been watching for the past 4 years where not having pace is fine at CB?

This is going to end one way. Rodri at 6 for the next 5+ years and people getting over it. Slow speed of thought? Pep would piss himself hearing some of these hot takes.

Perhaps he would, and yet our goal conceded was directly as a result of a ball based on a moment of panic from him, highlighting my point.

We all know Pep is stubborn, so he’ll be left there purely because he reminds him so much of Busquets. Having watched Busquets a night earlier, there’s no comparison. Busquets has the ball moving before the rest of us know he’s had it. You cannot say that of Rodri right now. So yes, I would imagine you are correct in that he’ll be left at the 6, but for me I think he’s hesitant there. Even his probing balls from earlier in the season have vanished from his skill set, with him more than happy to pass laterally to their CB’s to try those passes.

And as for hot takes, this is a forum, so accept them or stop trying to smart arse them. Ironic as you are fucking full of them pal.

 

[stonerblue]

I wouldn't say he was shocking, there is a player in there, undoubtedly.

It's whether he fills the actual criteria we has been led to believe?

He has shades of Yaya about him, he's a young lad getting used to a new league, but I'm not sure he's going to get any fitter or quicker for what is required in that Fern role?

Needs to speed up his decision making and stop getting caught on the ball then falling over. Thought he had a decent game last night though

 

[citymad]

Great performance from most on the pitch . Mendy is like jekyll and Hyde on that pitch . Jesus could well have found his calling but my only gripe is we should be long gone into next he next round now with the misses we did . 4-1 should be what we are talking about this morning but for shocking finishing and also why is kev not taking penaltys all of he time ? Hope Laporte is ok as it’s a big blow but we get them back hone and don’t let them of the hook

Was going to post exactly the same. It's one of our minor faults at the moment we seem to take that extra man on instead of shooting earlier. Mahrez or Raz could've made it 3 -1 in the end and we'd have deserved it. Still buzzing from last night, cracking performance from the players.

 

[Chi-town blues]

shocking buy, million miles from Fernandinho

gives the ball away in dangerous positions as well

Come on he is not that bad . I like his defensive side but bit slow to react . That’ll come as he progresses and learns .He reads the game well and intervenes .

 

[kaz7]

I went fuckin mental couple of times last night, Kev was screaming at Mendy for the most of the first half.
It seems like Mendy loses his focus and forgets what he's supposed to do.

I don't trust him at all,he can 't concentrate for five bloody minutes