Real Madrid (A) - Tues 9th April, 20:00 | CL | Pre-Match Thread

[Citycity76]

im hoping Rodri unbeaten run doesn't end tonight.

 

[heslops barnet]

“What the great Real Madrid need to do to beat city”……..

 

[Welsh]

I think Josko will play to be honest

I trust Rico more than I trust Gvardiol

 

[feedmpenzaandhewillscore]

im hoping Rodri unbeaten run doesn't end tonight.

I’m hoping Rodri ends up doing two sold out back to back gigs at Wembley in late May/early June.

 

[Father Paul]

No doubt the media will portray us as the baddies and be rooting for their hero Bellingham.

Our toughest game of the season this, they’ve some dangerous players like him and Vinicius. Keep it within one goal and we have a decent chance in the second leg.

After reflecting long and hard I have gone for a scoring draw. Although the ingredients may be present for a bad night I personally dont rate RM that highly. For me the three most likely winners of the competition are City, Atletico or Arsenal if they get past Munich.
Madrid will be up for it and we will need to control the transitions but I fancy us to score a couple of times. Injuries narrow the selection options but it is hard to see a team without Rodri, KDP, Foden, Stones, Akanji, Dias, Bernardo and Haaland. One concern is a weakened bench which could have negative consequences. A few interesting choices to be made for the remaining slots and knowing Pep as we do at least one surprise seems likely.

 

[Eoiyflem]

Hovering between optimism and pragmatism. I'd take a one goal defeat tonight tbh, no walker against Vinicius is a big blow.

Get out of Madrid even a goal down and we'll do them at home I think

 

[Sebi]

Will be a tough one tonight. Real didn´t lose at the Bernabeu the whole season, much better than last season and without Walker also difficult vs Vinicius. Would be happy with a draw. We have big problems with counter attacks and they are very good at that. Very excited how it will end.

 

[richards30]

I trust Rico more than I trust Gvardiol

Really? whys that mate?

 

[JTFactsPlz]

they want to make the atmosphere better, make it more loud.

Better for them, worse for City.

Joke if this is allowed unless it's raining.

 

[paulchapo]

I'd forgotten that thug Rudiger still plays for them.

 

[mancboy]

so the whole thread seems to be mainly what their attack can do to us which is a fair assessment but can we at least have a little counterbalance to it about what our attack is capable of doing to them because we have a couple of decent lads up front in case nobody had noticed.

 

[Mancityphilfo2000]

I trust Rico more than I trust Gvardiol

Rumours of bernardo possible starting left back if josko cant make it.

 

[merz]

Rumours of bernardo possible starting left back if josko cant make it.

IF gvardiol is out I would probably do the same (even though it sounds like a meme). with bernardo, kova, rodri and grealish we may be able to control the game. not sure how madrid plays nowadays though and how good their midfield really is.

 

[Welsh]

Really? whys that mate?

Nothing against Gvardiol, but I think he's had a bit of a rough deal being exclusively on LB duty. I think his 1v1 defending out wide has been pretty suspect at times. Sam Lee said in the summer he had concerns about him losing duels often and I think that's been the case.

Also, he sees a lot of the ball in attacking positions but doesn't seem to add much threat. I think the Gvardiol will be great in years to come but right now I think he looks a little awkward. Just strikes me as odd that after Ake's great season at LB we signed Gvardiol to play there and moved Ake to CB.

I think the team will be much more balanced with Rico coming into midfield, my only concern is his height/physicality.

 

[Welsh]

Rumours of bernardo possible starting left back if josko cant make it.

Hmm, was is the Arsenal game we did this last season?

I remember it being alright on the night but didn't Pep say it didn't really work afterwards? Also feel like it's a little harsh on Lewis given he's been great the last two games.

Having said all that, Bernardo could probably play in goal in matches like these and have a blinder so wouldn't concern me if it is him.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I think Lewis deserves to start, if walker isn’t fit.

 

[chris63]

Is this true?

Spanish cops activate ‘all alert systems’ after ISIS threat to Real Madrid vs Man City Champions League quarter final​

 

[its a Barm]

Is this true?

Spanish cops activate ‘all alert systems’ after ISIS threat to Real Madrid vs Man City Champions League quarter final​

Heard this morning about this my take is its just scare mongering if they where going to attack then why tell everyone.
Stay save boys and girls

 

[B\connellblue]

Haaland needs to make the ball stick when it's played to him and be aggressive against their centrebacks. Set the tone early.

 

[alexmcity]

so the whole thread seems to be mainly what their attack can do to us which is a fair assessment but can we at least have a little counterbalance to it about what our attack is capable of doing to them because we have a couple of decent lads up front in case nobody had noticed.

Many point out that we can hurt them and most predict a goal or two for us.

I've emphasized the absence of Courtois and their best CBs, Alaba and Militao (who is back from a terrible injury and probably not fit to start). Given these absences, we are likely to press them high for Rudiger isn't as good on the ball as Alaba and Militao. They'll have a plan, so we have to be careful.