Real Madrid (H) Pre-Match Thread

[cleavers]

Jim has just opened it

Merged them both.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

What can we expect from Pep, you just know it won't be the team everyone expects or hopes for.

 

[alexmcity]

Ederson

Walker
Garcia/Ferna
Laporte
Cancelo

Rodri
Gundy
De Bruyne

Foden/Mahrez
Jesus/Bernardo
Sterling

3 dilemmas: Garcia or Ferna at CB, Foden or Mahrez at RW and Jesus or a false 9 (Bernardo).

Think Pep will start with Rodri and Gundy, both have started the most difficult and important games. I'd probably prefer Bernardo instead of Gundy but Bernardo hasn't played enough in this position this season. He is more likely to be given a chance as a false 9, since he has played there at Madrid and at Manure in the cup. He's a big game player and Pep likes to play with a false 9 for more control in the game. Jesus is in a good form though and was one of our best players in the 1st leg.

Foden can press better than Mahrez and is also dangerous in attack. It would be probably surprising if Pep started both Garcia and Foden in such a big game.

3:2 City.

 

[chesterbells]

What can we expect from Pep, you just know it won't be the team everyone expects or hopes for.

When I saw the starting XI today, I thought that is the team he’s most likely to pick for the 2nd leg. We shall see.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

............... Ederson
Walker Dihno Laporte Cancelo
...........Rodri....... Bernado
....................Kev.......................
... Sterling Gabby Foden


Do not fuck it up Pep!!!!

That would be my team apart from Dave over Bernardo.

 

[cleavers]

When I saw the starting XI today, I thought that is the team he’s most likely to pick for the 2nd leg. We shall see.

I think Gundogan will start with Rodri (replacing either David or Phil), toss up between defence first half today, and defence second half today, tough knowing Pep's selections, he's probably working on a Stones/Otamendi partnership as we speak.

 

[alexmcity]

When I saw the starting XI today, I thought that is the team he’s most likely to pick for the 2nd leg. We shall see.

Gundy in for Silva.

 

[Tevez City]

100% will start if fit

__________________Ederson_____________

Walker____(________)____Laporte_____(_____)

_______________(__________)___________

________KDB___________________(__________)

(_______)_______Jesus___________Sterling


I hope Pep will fill it with Fernandinho & Cancelo

Rodri

Bernardo

Mahrez

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Just letting you all know that it WILL be Rodri and Gundogan together in midfield, so get yourself mentally prepared for it now. There is time to make peace with it.

 

[franksinatra]

Just letting you all know that it WILL be Rodri and Gundogan together in midfield, so get yourself mentally prepared for it now. There is time to make peace with it.

Its going to be a slow process

 

[JGL07]

I think that the selection today hinted at the starting lineup.

Clearly Edison, Walker, Laport, Cancelo, De Bruyne, Stirling, and Jesus will be starting. With Mendy being suspended and Cancelo showing his best form with City, there can be few arguments there. David Silva looks odds on to win out against Bernado Silva.

The contentious ones are Garcia versus Fernandinho in central defence, Rodri versus Gundodan in defensive midfield and Foden or Mahrez up front.

I suspect that Pep will go with Fernandinho, Rodri and Mahrez but that is pure guesswork based on the starting team and the timing of the substitutes.

 

[ShaunMCFC]

Set the team up to counter them, job done

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Its going to be a slow process

So just like our build-up then? ;)

 

[franksinatra]

So just like our build-up then? ;)

Exactly!!

 

[Rammy Blue]

I think Gundogan will start with Rodri (replacing either David or Phil), toss up between defence first half today, and defence second half today, tough knowing Pep's selections, he's probably working on a Stones/Otamendi partnership as we speak.

If Pep picks Gundo and Rodri to start, we will lose.

 

[alexmcity]

I think that the selection today hinted at the starting lineup.

It didn't, imo. Real ain't Norwich. Look for cues at our lineups against top teams, not against relegation fodder.

 

[alexmcity]

If Pep picks Gundo and Rodri to start, we will lose.

We didn't in Madrid and we won't at home either. Trust Pep.

 

[cleavers]

We didn't in Madrid and we won't at home either. Trust Pep.

Quite, there are games when we need a different style, real madrid are not norwich or watford where you spend 80% of the game in the opposition half with the ball, so we'll need to defend a bit more, probably quite a bit.

 

[Dax777]

100% will start if fit

__________________Ederson_____________

Walker____(________)____Laporte_____(_____)

_______________(__________)___________

________KDB___________________(__________)

(_______)_______Jesus___________Sterling


I hope Pep will fill it with Fernandinho & Cancelo

Rodri

Bernardo

Mahrez

Phil over Mahrez. And Bernado over Dave. Everyone has to be able to work hard.

 

[Tevez City]

Phil over Mahrez. And Bernado over Dave. Everyone has to be able to work hard.

Mahrez is better winger than Foden.