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

[GaudinoMotors]

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

My kind of gal.

 

[Norbert D]

The stadium needs to be amped up to eleven on Wednesday, every touch them fuckers have should be met with deafening whistles and boos. I really hope we blow them away, let their superannuated players feel their age. Let’s fucking do it !

 

[Gingers Dad]

Arsenal bottling it yesterday has done the whole club a massive favour. They have cut our number of must win big games in half. I reckon everyone who might have been feeling a bit knackered at the end of the Everton match will have a little extra spring in their step now.

 

[Fordyboy46]

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

Just not sure Mahrez starts over Bernardo or Phil

 

[Fordyboy46]

The stadium needs to be amped up to eleven on Wednesday, every touch them fuckers have should be met with deafening whistles and boos. I really hope we blow them away, let their superannuated players feel their age. Let’s fucking do it !

I'm telling BT tomorrow to make sure the mic's are switched on around the pitch and high as well, the cnuts

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Just not sure Mahrez starts over Bernardo or Phil

A difficult decision as they're all big game players.

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

Another chance to shove it up the football establishment , self rightheous f8ckers like Real are well overdue a good going over from us , we were criticised for being negative in the first leg which with hindsight was obviously the right thing to do. Get them back to the Etihad and then we turn up the heat play a slightly more attacking formation , would select Mahrez over Bernardo only because he has a good record in big Champs league games and scores big goals
We can bring Bernardo on for the latter stages for his energy to see the game out ,let Pep finally lay the ghost of "overthinking " and win this glamour cup.

 

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

So are we tactical tweaking this one or playing our strongest 11?

 

[Chi-town blues]

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

As much I want mahrez to start but think it won’t happen. More likely it‘ll be Bernie instead, fresh legs and all that jazz.

 

[Damanino]

Pressure and tension will be sky high.
One thing Real pissed all over the competition is them handling the pressure moments incredibly well. like that run of PSG, Chelsea, City KO rounds they were worse at certain periods even losing the ties and still managed to ride out any bad period and overcome and make it count in their good periods during games.

This is where we need to step up and handle the periods where we are on top to make it count and when they are on top we need to keep it tight.

Raise our game, handle the pressure cooker situations well and also Etihad need to be the 12th player rather than anxious.

Can be done, will be hard, but can be done.

We need to use home advantage in this one.

even if we are 2-1 down in 80th minute we need to try to win it.

having said that if it goes to pens I dont know how I will not throw up...

 

[Gone for a Burton]

This may be a squad game when most of the sixteen play a valuable role.

We can go at them hard and fast from the off and change things round depending on circumstances.

They are all good enough to do what's required.

The atmosphere has to be hostile, intense and electric even more so if things are a bit tricky.

Extra time & pens ?

 

[SouthernPlastic]

This may be a squad game when most of the sixteen play a valuable role.

We can go at them hard and fast from the off and change things round depending on circumstances.

They are all good enough to do what's required.

The atmosphere has to be hostile, intense and electric even more so if things are a bit tricky.

Extra time & pens ?

I don’t think I will survive if it goes to pens

 

[HypnoticBlue]

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Akanji
Rodri
Gundogan
DeBruyne
Silva
Grealish
Haaland
3-1

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Akanji
Rodri
Gundogan
DeBruyne
Silva
Grealish
Haaland
3-1

Foden to take Bernardos place

 

[CatMan]

Ederson
Walker
Stones
Dias
Akanji
Rodri
Gundogan
DeBruyne
Silva
Grealish
Haaland
3-1

I wouldn't disagree too much, but I can't help believe Mahrez (Yes FFS!) just offers that little bit of extra composure in taking and creating chances in these elite level European games, and with that there is an argument he should start.

 

[rodridiculous]

The more I think about it the more I feel like it would be a good idea for Bernardo to be an impact player off the bench and terrorise their tired legs

 

[yaya jamie]

Mahrez also offers a lot from free kicks (even if he doesn’t take them; at the weekend I am pretty sure Pickford thought he was taking it - it gives the keeper a lot to think about with a right and left foot taker standing over it) and corners. If it’s cagey, and I think it will be, set plays could make a difference.

But just can’t see how he gets in the starting line up, so in Bernie we trust. Hopefully he sets the tempo for high intensity and high press like he has done so many times before

 

[deano ou812]

This may be a squad game when most of the sixteen play a valuable role.

We can go at them hard and fast from the off and change things round depending on circumstances.

They are all good enough to do what's required.

The atmosphere has to be hostile, intense and electric even more so if things are a bit tricky.

Extra time & pens ?

Oh ffs I was thinking about this the day after the draw in Madrid that it could go to pens,I’d nearly take us missing out I say nearly,than face the prospect of pens,doesn’t bare thinking..

 

[Tevez City]

I love Bernardo like most blues do but I have to say I'm surprised how many have him in their predicted lineups.

He was poor vs West Ham, mediocre vs Leeds, and arguably our worst starter vs Madrid. I think you go with the player in better form and a good track record in these 'big' games in Mahrez. As good as Akanji has been- I might also think about getting Laporte in for him to get a left-footed player on that side as I imagine the majority of the match will be in their half.


Ederson

Walker Dias Laporte

Stones Rodri

Mahrez KDB Gundo Grealish

Haaland

Bernardo main strength is giving the team more possession, keeping the ball under pressure & his defensive contribution.


While Riyad offer more threat offensively.

Thats why I think we need Riyad in the right & Bernardo somewhere in the middle.

 

[Withnail]

I don’t think I will survive if it goes to pens

Don’t even go there.