Real Madrid (H) - Tues 11th Feb, 20:00 | CL | Pre-Match Thread

[JGL07]

It has unfortunately, otherwise we would have gone through on away goals last season 3-3 (a) 1-1 (h)

When the away goals rule was in place, City lost to Sporting in the UEFA Cup and Monaco in the CL on the away goals rule. Since then City lost to Real Madrid in the CL in extra time when they would have gone through on away goals.

 

[Withnail]

Nico G training, that'll do for me.

Great news, I hope he starts. We need some legs in that midfield.

 

[Bluemoonadam]

Not confident at all for this, I keep thinking Madrid tomorrow then think back to arsenal result last week and then I think no chance.

 

[horlock_was_super]

yup, injured

Good. I hope it fucking hurts too.

 

[pbueno16]

Not confident at all for this, I keep thinking Madrid tomorrow then think back to arsenal result last week and then I think no chance.

Think we're in a better place now than we were going into that Arsenal game.

 

[noseve]

He's a horrible bastard that Rudiger, He does nothing other than hold onto Haaland for 90 minutes and he's allowed get away with it.

And when a ref does finally pluck up the courage to blow up, it'll be in the centre circle, 90th minute. Not in the box, with a yellow, after 20 minutes - like it should have been.
Don't know why he's treated as untouchable

 

[City Raider]

Most seem to be going with Akanji Stones Ruben and Gvardiol. Just wondering if Pep might think we need more pace to deal with counter, especially right sided cb or rb

 

[Johnny Mars Bar]

If we’re getting battered I hope at least someone gives Bellendham the full De Jong / Cantona treatment.

I want to see Dias’s studs go through the little gobshite’s chest.

 

[The perfect fumble]

 

[Mr. Shush]

One player I wouldn't have on at any time is Gundo.

He went the distance against Orient. I doubt he would figure into this game because of that. And the pace of this game is likely to be crazy the first 15-20 minutes. Lace em up tight boys.

 

[ilrm]

Likely Madrid XI:
Courtois
Valverde - Tchou - Asensio - Mendy
Modric - Cama - Jude
Rodrygo - Mbappe - Vini

Courtois - great form, we would easily be 3-4 points less and in 3rd place in la liga were it not for his saves
Valverde - great form, ever dependable, can physically matchup to anyone (Doku/Marmoush/Foden)
Tchou - below average this season but has been played out of position all year. This is who Haaland should be attacking.
Asensio - surprise of the season. Calm, composed, safe passer, reasonably strong but poor in the air so I would put crosses from City's right.
Mendy - good in defense, average in attack but he wont be expected to come forward much.
Modric - physically wont be able to play more than 60 mins. Has become a DLP and limits his runs into the box. Still capable of the occasional magic.
Cama - returned from an injury and barely played this season. Wont be surprised if he gets injured during the game, such has been our season.
Jude - good season, presses well, great stamina but has lost his attacking x-factor. Mbappe has had a negative impact on his attacking game - rarely makes runs into the box, more of an outside the box creator now.
Rodrygo - has probably hit his talent ceiling. Good player but like Mbappe and Vini, his ideal position is LF. Physically not developed as well as one would have hoped. We should get Salah on a free and have him mentor Rodrygo.
Vini - This season has been pushed out to far far far LW thanks to Mbappe. When he cuts in to shoot, its from such a difficult angle, because Mbappe has taken up his space in that weird area between LW and LF. We are lucky that Vini is a team player and not obsessed with stats. CR7 would have thrown a strop.
Mbappe - Terrible signing that has negatively impacted Vini & Jude. He has had a few good halfs but relies heavily on others to create. Ideal player would have been Julian Alvarez who would have tied the Vini-Rod combination. Mbappe has been tackled so many times when he tries to dribble, particularly inside the box. He is nowhere near CR7 on any parameter. CR7 might dribble less but thats because he only needed a couple of step overs to shoot at goal.

Edit:
Carlo - his coaching cycle at Real has come to an end. End of season we should be chasing after Klopp/Alonso/Iraola.

 

[Bluewars II]

I like the idea. It might work, but we'll need a lot more than a 2-0 lead to take to Madrid. For us to get through over two legs with our shaky defence will take a Hercules effort, a miracle fact, but hey, we all know they do happen.

Akanji, Stones, Dias, Ake is not a shaky defence (Josko will likely start) and at least now we have a DM to protect them.

Remember that Madrid will be missing their 1st choice back four for the 2nd leg too.

 

[shevtheblue]

Akanji hasn't played at RB due to multiple injuries to Dias, Stones and Ake. We didn't have fit CBs...

What about last season? Genuine question, maybe I’m wrong..

 

[shevtheblue]

The thought of Akanji at RB against vinicius makes my heart sink a little. This is where we will really miss the Walker of the last 5/6 years. I remember Fernandino playing there a few years ago when i think Walker was injured and Vinicius had a field day. Hoping more than expecting tomorrow is not similar.

Oh god, what a terrible memory you managed to drag up outta my brain :D

 

[Marvin.]

-------------Ederson
Khusanov-Stones-Dias-Gvardiol
-------Kovacic-Gonzalez
--------------Foden
-Marmoush-Haaland-Savinho

For the first time this season we have options: e.g., Akanji, Bernardo, Doku, Grealish, Rico, Macatee, KDB

 

[domalino]

The thought of Akanji at RB against vinicius makes my heart sink a little. This is where we will really miss the Walker of the last 5/6 years. I remember Fernandino playing there a few years ago when i think Walker was injured and Vinicius had a field day. Hoping more than expecting tomorrow is not similar.

Khusanov has the pace and physicality to do a Walker impression but we might be asking way too much of him way too soon.

 

[jimharri]

What sort of lead do we think is defendable in the return leg? I think we'd need at least a three goal margin. Which will be a big ask.


Anyone who says 7-0 will either be banned or, alternatively, be forced to listen to S****s records for 24 hrs non stop.

 

[Sibierskii]

Plot twist

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

They are at the Lowry, loads of divs and tourists hanging about

Don't put yourself down mate!:)

 

[The Lightbowne Cowboy]

Can’t wait to be surrounded by phones tomorrow, any twat celebrates next to me if Madrid scores will end up at the bottom of level 3

I fucking hate it with a passion. The Birmingham game on Saturday, Brum took the lead and the cameras panned to the crowd. A lad in his early 20s filming the pitch stood motionless..****! Literally 10 seconds after the ball hit the net. He needs dropping like a neat whiskey.