Real Madrid (H) - Wed 17th May, 20:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[Bazzmand Show]

Tiredness is definitely going to play a big part. They had an extra day off and rested most of their big ones. We had to play Rodri, Walker and Akanji 90 mins.

Didn't have to, Pep should have taken them straight off after the third.

 

[Haaland94]

People who wanted all of our key players involved here, would you want a full-strength lineup for a Wednesday night CL group stages game with a crucial PL game on Saturday? I didn't think so. There was no need for the likes of Rodri, Gundogan, and Walker to remain on the pitch beyond 60mins. I wouldn't even play Rodri here, Bernardo more likely, since he might not even start on Wednesday, and he is a fitness freak.

P.S. Brighton just destroyed Arsenal. We might win the title without even kicking the ball next weekend. I hope going relatively strong today doesn't backfire on Wednesday.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Yeah I think I'm tempted to drop gundogan or Bernardo to get foden or Mahrez in the front three for this one.

Ahsan on 9320 made an excellent point that we don't have anyone to come off the bench to settle us down and control, kill, or slow down the game when both Bernardo and gundogan start. So bringing someone into the front 3 to have Silva in reserve or drop Silva back and have gundo in reserve.

I think Gundogan starting today was an indication that Pep might have originally been planning to have him on the bench against Madrid.

He's a great option to turn to if we need a goal but he's also capable of coming on and slowing everything down if we're looking to see the game out. After his performance today though how can you leave him out.

 

[lightning Rodri]

Didn't have to, Pep should have taken them straight off after the third.

Thought the same.

 

[Franny 1234]

Same again please City
Clean sheet is required.
IT'S GREAT BEING A BLUE CTID

 

[yeah whatever !!]

COME ON CITY !!

 

[chris85mcfc]

Today should give us a huge boost going into Wednesday

Two home games coming up to really define our season

 

[deano ou812]

The players will be energised by the two results today,make no mistake it’s still a tight game but with home advantage and the crowd roaring on the players we surely can get this done on Wednesday..

 

[MCFC1993]

Players and fans will be bouncing into this one after today.

 

[alexmcity]

I hope going relatively strong today doesn't backfire on Wednesday.

It won't backfire.

The players had nearly 5 days to recover after Madrid. They can play 2 games in 3 days. Only Walker, Dias, Akanji and Rodri from the starters vs Madrid played over 80 minutes today. But we controlled the game well, it wasn't very tiring, specially in the 2nd half the game wasn't intense.

 

[chris85mcfc]

Tiredness is definitely going to play a big part. They had an extra day off and rested most of their big ones. We had to play Rodri, Walker and Akanji 90 mins.

Do you honestly think any of our players broke a sweat today?

I can guarantee we've had tougher training sessions than today.

Some players need to play games to stay match fit, some players need a rest now and then, it's not linear with each player.

We will not be remotely 'tired' on Wednesday night. Last Wednesday aside, we've not broke sweat since the Bayern away game, even Arsenal at home was light work in the end.

 

[Legal Alien]

Today has been the perfect preparation imo, everything went as good as we could've hoped.
Let's take this momentum and emotional high and turn it into a big win on Wednesday.

I'd start with this lineup but think Foden, Mahrez and Alvarez will all play big roles.

Ederson

Walker
Stones
Dias
Akanji

KDB
Rodri
Gundogan

Bernardo
Haaland
Grealish

COME ON CITY!!!

 

[ninjamonkey]

Tiredness will not be a factor at all. We strolled that today and we've gotten rest into every single player over the last 2 weeks. There will be absolutely no excuses concerning tiredness. I doubt it will happen but i want to see foden start, grealish has gone back to being ponderous and safe last few games and watching foden today go down the outside and by a player is exactly what we should be doing to carvajal. He would tear him apart.

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Akanji
Rodri
Gundogan
Kdb
Bernardo
Foden
Haaland

We are now 4 wins away from immortality with this being the first and likely hardest test. The Etihad will be absolutely rocking and i trust them to get the job done.

 

[Newman Noggs]

Same as ever. We take our chances, we win. We're rhe best team in Europe.

 

[GornikDaze]

Same as ever. We take our chances, we win. We're rhe best team in Europe.

And don’t fuck up at the back! ;)

 

[balotellishaircut]

It won't backfire.

The players had nearly 5 days to recover after Madrid. They can play 2 games in 3 days. Only Walker, Dias, Akanji and Rodri from the starters vs Madrid played over 80 minutes today. But we controlled the game well, it wasn't very tiring, specially in the 2nd half the game wasn't intense.

I agree with you, but isn’t it 2 games in 8 days ?

 

[alexmcity]

I agree with you, but isn’t it 2 games in 8 days ?

I mean Everton and Real.

 

[Crooked_rain]

Tiredness is definitely going to play a big part. They had an extra day off and rested most of their big ones. We had to play Rodri, Walker and Akanji 90 mins.

But there's also a lot to be said for momentum, rather than chopping and changing nearly the full team.

 

[balotellishaircut]

I mean Everton and Real.

So do I, we played last Tuesday and we play Everton n Real within 8 days..

 

[lightning Rodri]

Do you honestly think any of our players broke a sweat today?

I can guarantee we've had tougher training sessions than today.

Some players need to play games to stay match fit, some players need a rest now and then, it's not linear with each player.

We will not be remotely 'tired' on Wednesday night. Last Wednesday aside, we've not broke sweat since the Bayern away game, even Arsenal at home was light work in the end.

Well, may be you are right and we'll be alright on Wednesday. But yes I thought Rodri, Akanji and Walker looked tired. But then, having a fresh Stones alongside will help Rodri, Walker is Walker and if Ake makes a miraculous recovery, we will be more than alright. And the Arsenal results will be a boost as well.