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

[aguero93:20]

Have we any previous matches with him as ref ?

Not that I recall, he refereed the world cup final though. Seems to like giving penalties so we'll need to be careful.

 

[AliBobbyJ]

Another round of the Bald Bodybuilder.

Fourth official: I miss Istvan Zsolt.

 

[Easy]

Playing this game at home is a major advantage. Jack recently spoke about how confident the team feel playing at home.

The atmosphere will make the difference and Carvajal won’t be able to foul non stop without getting a yellow. He is their weak link and hopefully Grealish will take advantage. Carvajal also gave away a penalty against Sterling when we knocked them out during Covid if I’m not mistaken.

Many discussing the winger combination and I’d have Bernardo and Grealish. Both work extremely hard defensively and are brilliant at keeping the ball. I love Foden but he’s not in the best form and Mahrez for me is inconsistent. You simply don’t know which Mahrez will turn up while with Bernardo even if he has an off day at least he will be contributing defensively.

Let’s win this and reach the CL FINAL once again!

CTID

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Any chance of Nate being back for this one? Pep said he was much better before the w/e, which is very surprising if it's a hammy.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Not that I recall, he refereed the world cup final though. Seems to like giving penalties so we'll need to be careful.

So will Real! So will that thug Rudiger!

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

Playing this game at home is a major advantage. Jack recently spoke about how confident the team feel playing at home.

The atmosphere will make the difference and Carvajal won’t be able to foul non stop without getting a yellow. He is their weak link and hopefully Grealish will take advantage. Carvajal also gave away a penalty against Sterling when we knocked them out during Covid if I’m not mistaken.

Many discussing the winger combination and I’d have Bernardo and Grealish. Both work extremely hard defensively and are brilliant at keeping the ball. I love Foden but he’s not in the best form and Mahrez for me is inconsistent. You simply don’t know which Mahrez will turn up while with Bernardo even if he has an off day at least he will be contributing defensively.

Let’s win this and reach the CL FINAL once again!

CTID

Mahrez has been one of our most reliably consistent players throughout this season, he keeps to the line so always has the opposition defence stretched and nobody can take a long pass like he does.

Must admit that I’d be very happy to see Bernardo though, if Pep thinks it applicable.

 

[Elliot houghton]

The first 15 minutes of the last game we pressed them hard and they couldn't handle it when we stopped doing that they got back In to the game milder conditions hopefully means we can play like that for longer and put them under a lot more pressure

 

[Haaland94]

I can't wait for this game. There is no point in trying to predict the line-up, do we play Jack or Phil, Riyad or Bernie, Nate or Manuel? I don't know, and I don't care because they are all capable of magic, so I trust Pep will pick whoever's body language is best in training. I am happy with the ref as well, he is the best we could have gotten, so no excuses here. I absolutely fucking detest Real Madrid, so let's eat them alive, just knock them out of the park!

 

[Silva&Silva]

We could end this week as CL finalists and as champions, bring it on!

 

[Withnail]

Bernardo was man of the match against Bayern, arguably in both legs. He's one for big occasions. It's not like he was in form several months ago.

Also, Bernardo offers us different things compared to Mahrez or Foden. It's not like Bernardo and Mahrez are the same type of player and we choose the one who performed better in the last game or two.

Bernardo is a nailed on starter imo, no denying he wasn't at his best in the 1st leg, but in the big games he delivers 9 times out of 10.

 

[SebastianBlue]

We could end this week as CL finalists and as champions, bring it on!

Conversely, we could end the weekend out of the CL and back in a title race to the last day…

 

[citymad]

The first 15 minutes of the last game we pressed them hard and they couldn't handle it when we stopped doing that they got back In to the game milder conditions hopefully means we can play like that for longer and put them under a lot more pressure

It's going to be an emotionally draining night. We need to pace ourselves. Last thing we need is to knacker ourselves out for the second half. We know how good they are in the final 10-15 mins of a game.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Not expecting Marciniak to favour either side particularly, nor to be influenced by the atmosphere. Just so long as he doesn't let Carvajal get away with kicking everything in blue that moves, and so long as he has a stern word with Rudiger as soon as he starts his thuggery. Then yellow the next time he does it, or straight red if it's really bad. That's all I ask for.

 

[BlueAnorak]

I see that the 2022 World Cup Final referee Szymon Marciniak is to officiate the 2nd leg between City and Real Madrid.
He won't take any shit and will give pens judging by his performance in the W/C.

 

[TrentGrisham]

In the big games Bernardo is usually one of the first names on the team sheet. Last season in the away leg at Real he put on an absolute masterclass that is sadly forgotten because of the result.

However, on current form, I'm not sure he deserves to start the game. Mahrez has consistently come up with big goals in the Champions league over the last few seasons. Foden is also more of a goal threat than Bernardo and will press. At home, with us likely to dominate possession, a more attacking option would be my presence. The fact that Bernardo was rotated at the weekend makes me think he will start though and hopefully he reproduces the kind of performance we all know he's capable of.

I have a feeling this game will be decided late on, possibly even in extra time or with penalties, so I do wonder if Pep will try and keep some attacking options back because of that. Mahrez, Foden and Alvarez from the bench will cause problems for any tiring defence.

Agreed. As much as I rate Jack, he's already not a big goal threat on one side. I think we could do with one on the other in Mahrez. Also gives Camavinga(who I thought was damn good) a new player that he's unfamiliar with.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Agreed. As much as I rate Jack, he's already not a big goal threat on one side. I think we could do with one on the other in Mahrez. Also gives Camavinga(who I thought was damn good) a new player that he's unfamiliar with.

Camavinga will play in midfield if fit with alaba at left back.

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Which of our players are one booking away from missing the final? (Should we get there)

 

[MCFC1993]

Which of our players are one booking away from missing the final? (Should we get there)

Yellow cards reset before the semi-final and you can't be suspended for the final for being booked in both legs of the semis.

You can only miss the final if you are red carded.

 

[skillman]

Debate between Mahrez and Foden for me - Riyad has that extra something in these type of games and think Foden's energy from the bench (regardless of whether we're winning or losing) will be beneficial.

It'd mean dropping Bernie, though, which I can't see happening in a game of this magnitude.

I'd go for:

Ederson

Walker
Dias
Stones
Akanji(/Ake)

Gundo
Rodri
Kev

Mahrez
Haaland
Grealish

 

[Berts Neck]

Conversely, we could end the weekend out of the CL and back in a title race to the last day…

Met her in Dallas but think she was more attractive then.