Atletico (A) - Wed 13th April, 20:00 (BST) | Pre-Match Thread

[waspish]

Think they’ll come out all guns blazing and try to surprise us!

We keep the ball have 75% possession the cheating kunts won’t have the chance to the dark arts!

 

[domalino]

I hope we stop them having a shot again.

Going through an entire tie without a shot or without a shot on target would be a bigger condemnation of Simeone’s tactics than us winning 3-0

 

[skillman]

I fancy us tonight but Atletico aren't pushovers. It'll be very difficult, the KDB goal last week was massive and means we have something already.

If we can beat these, I do think we'll shit on Real.

 

[Vincent van Rough]

Our kid a couple of mins ago.

 

[Platt Lane 59]

Hopefully we can get the first goal tonight, just to quieten the crowd. I can see them, if it gets to the final 30 mins and they are behind trying to kick fuck out of us. If we can get 2 ahead then would be the time to bring off Kev before they assault him. I would definitely start Jack as can see a sending off in the making - they have previous and if they go a man down they will lose their heads even more.

Agree that Athletico will target Grealish and one of their players may well get sent off.
However, we saw in the first leg, they are experts at rotating their aggressors. It would appear to be co-ordinated so their players do not initially get booked.
Unfortunately, I think Jack is so eager to impress that he will probably retaliate, which will see the Athletico player "dying on the spot". This will almost inevitably see a red card for City, whereas Athletico will almost certainly get away their constant fouling.
Keeping a cool head, is crucial for tonight...

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Agree that Athletico will target Grealish and one of their players may well get sent off.
However, we saw in the first leg, they are experts at rotating their aggressors. It would appear to be co-ordinated so their players do not initially get booked.
Unfortunately, I think Jack is so eager to impress that he will probably retaliate, which will see the Athletico player "dying on the spot". This will almost inevitably see a red card for City, whereas Athletico will almost certainly get away their constant fouling.
Keeping a cool head, is crucial for tonight...

Or, leaving Grealish on the bench!

 

[Fred_Quimby]

Cool heads are the key tonight.

 

[Franny 1234]

BREAKING NEWS - according to the BBC website we aren’t playing tonight so you lot might as well come on home.

We're not really here LOL

 

[ancoats]

I’m fine with that, but I also thought when coming on last week and playing to the right he was fantastic, I see him more as a 10 when we have a 9, hopefully feeding Alfie’s lad next season

yeah he can play right across the line but that number 10 role or the david silva slot is perfect for foden
the speed of thought and that burst and power in the first couple of steps is a nightmare for defenders, defenders hate having to turn and trying to stop a world class player is impossible. also he's got a better eye for goal than david silva

 

[Platt Lane 59]

Or, leaving Grealish on the bench!

That is what I am saying.
I don't think Jack has enough "big game experience" to start, away to Athletico. But, if we are winning with 15 minutes to go, Jack will be like a red rag to the Athletico bull.
Ole, Jack...

 

[ChicagoBlue]

That is what I am saying.
I don't think Jack has enough "big game experience" to start, away to Athletico. But, if we are winning with 15 minutes to go, Jack will be like a red rag to the Athletico bull.
Ole, Jack...

Save him for a moment of inspiration at Wembley, where he seems to enjoy playing!

 

[Lancet Fluke]

Apologies, a bit off topic. Without wanting to jinx things, anyone any idea when they announce which leg of the semi will be played on Tuesday and which on the Wednesday.

 

[ninjamonkey]

Grealish and mahrez will play tonight. Control will be the name of the game and I don't think either of them will be playing against the Dippers this weekend anyway

 

[paulchapo]

Hopefully it's a better ref than the first leg and not the same one. They'll feign injury, roll around, foul, wind up our players the works. I don't see them attacking too much, sitting tight and getting a 1-0 and penalties will do them. I see the 5,000 empty seats ban had been suspended.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

Would like to see Bernie drop alongside Rodri as per Sunday, he was excellent at bringing us forward, switching the play, and getting us through the lines by taking slightly more risks, also don’t think Rodders has been his best lately (but was much improved Sunday) tonight calls for calm heads and experience, with a dash of Foden magic

 

[skillman]

Grealish and mahrez will play tonight. Control will be the name of the game and I don't think either of them will be playing against the Dippers this weekend anyway

I think you're right. Control tonight is a necessity whereas, as Sunday proved, runs in behind hurt Liverpool so the same front 3 I'd expect.

 

[cibaman]

When Grealish was at Villa it seemed that their main tactic was for him to win free kicks. Wasn’t he the most fouled player in the PL? I don’t recall him getting any red cards. Doesn’t that suggest that he can discipline himself if he needs to? Rather than worrying too much about him being sent off, could he be a weapon for City, winning free kicks and provoking atletico players into picking up cards?

 

[willipp]

Funny how different games can be. Sunday i was looking forward to big time and enjoyed the game. Tonight i really am not looking forward to. Just know i'm going to spend 90 minutes head in hands screaming at the ref and their players to get a grip. Juts hope we keep our heads, control the ball early on and score the first goal. Sounds easy, but we do that and i really think we go through.

 

[yankblue]

Had to tell my boss about the urgent 2 hour doctors appointment that cropped up during this time. Strange how that always seems to happen during our midweek games

 

[kaz7]

When Grealish was at Villa it seemed that their main tactic was for him to win free kicks. Wasn’t he the most fouled player in the PL? I don’t recall him getting any red cards. Doesn’t that suggest that he can discipline himself if he needs to? Rather than worrying too much about him being sent off, could he be a weapon for City, winning free kicks and provoking atletico players into picking up cards?

We dont play like villa ffs and he has no experience on nights like these, he wont add anything imo