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

[Dax777]

Gvardiol will likely play in a more attacking role. Guess our tactics is to tire them out by letting them chase the ball. They are supposed to be less fresh than us due to the derby on Saturday.

Foden benched, which isn't surprising. He, Marmoush and hopefully Doku can contribute off the bench.

But they wont tire if we don't make them chase. This team doesn't look like it would do anything other than slowly pass it around between defenders. :(

 

[BlueMonkey79]

Bizarre starting XI tonight. No idea what formation.

Ederson, Dias, Stones, Ake, Gvardiol, Akanji, Bernardo, Grealish, De Bruyne, Savio, Haaland

Looks like a possible 3.5.2

Eddie

Gvardiol
Ake
Dias
Stones
Akanji

Grealish
Kev
Bernie

Savio
Haaland

 

[blue b4 the moon]

Getting the kind of build up of a final this.

It's certainly got the Pep Chelsea final team thing going on.

Hope it works for us but, not a side to give any confidence to fast attacking play.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Looks an awful team selection on paper

 

[Dodge]

I like that starting 11

Up the fucking Blues

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

Every single one has to be launched in the box doesn't it

You'd think so.

 

[Chak19]

Has Pep gone full Mourinho here ?

 

[discopop]

Well its just an everyday bit of Pep mad professor thinking, up the fucking blues and into them lads!

 

[jimharri]

Fuck me

No; I'm sorted, thanks.

 

[wattle]

The fucking state of you lot

 

[OntarioBlue]

Looks like we’re concentrating on the FA Cup this season.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Ederson
Akanji
Stones
Dias
Gvardiol
Nico
Bernardo
De Bruyne
Savinho
Foden
Haaland

I’d be tempted to start grealish, as he’s made an impact each time he’s played.

Thought grealish would start!

 

[super_city_si]

 

[King Jay]

This looks horrible

 

[alexmcity]

Gundo, is understandable, Fonzo probably not healthy enough.

Ederson
Akanji.... Dias...Ake... Gvardiol
...........Stones...Bernardo.......
......Savio......Kevin.......Grealish....
...............,.......Haaland.............


Don't t like it, but looks like Pep fidgeting before a big game again.

In possession Gvardiol will be joining Stones/Akanji and Bernie in midfield.

Like Kova but he isn't the most press resistant and tries to dribble through the middle. He might have a fitness problem, who knows?

 

[chesterbells]

Stones in midfield, Akanji RB?

Surprised Grealish is starting, considering he's only had starts against FA Cup fodder.

He knows the score against Madrid. Reckon he’ll do ok.

 

[Fading Memory]

Sergio's testicles are at stake.

 

[ninjamonkey]

That's not overly encouraging. Stones in midfield I completely get, nico probably not fit anyway and not been here long enough, massive risk to play him against real madrid after 20 minutes against a league 1 side.

No kovacic? The guy has been holding our midfield together and should be a shoe in.

Grealish's inclusion is baffling, not done anything to warrant his inclusion imo but that's not the baffling part, it's that it likely means savinho isn't playing in his best position on the left. Savinho against Valverde at right back is a complete mismatch, savinho against mendy though is a decent battle and Valverde will handle grealish as he won't try and take him on.

Bench is the strongest bench we've had for a long, long time though. if Pep remembers we have subs to use, they could have a telling impact. Doku for 20-30 minutes could cause chaos, goal threats from foden and marmoush, energy of kovacic, nico and Nunes. Expect 5 subs to refresh the team against a madrid side that has about 3 attacking options max on the bench.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

I like that starting 11

Up the fucking Blues

Thanks Carlo.

 

[give it to gordon]

Stones CM ?