Real Madrid post match thread

[Inca Roads Bert]

Well, well, well, I am on page 33 now, and having vented my frustrations against Kova and Rico some lines above, I found out reading up to this page that I wasn't even the most angered forum member, the perks of not being a fanny wipe.

The lads did not played that bad before the two late brainfarts. I was expecting those to come at early stages and receive a drubbing like PSG's or Tarquins, but our side was composed. Los Franco's Blanco's Malácticos were still a threat and Ederson saved our arses on several ocasions.

Our first goal was pure quality, and we had our chances, even hit the woodwork twice.

Just one mistake, and everything crumbles. That lack of backbone has been haunting us all season, and the curse of injuries; but we've played worse than yesterday. Don't know what looms ahead in terms of the season.

Just, Come on City!

 

[Mr. Shush]

With Kev off Bellingham could get further forward, Gundog did not stop that happening, Kova's shite pass to Rico led to a goal

Gundogan was not to blame for the third goal. Stones, Dias and Gvardiol were exactly where they should have been. Was a 30 yard pass to Bellingham who tries a header to Garcia; Kovacic was approaching; poor flick pass from him; Lewis makes a despairing try for the ball and misses, Vini off to the races with Ruben pursuing him and Stones on wrong side of Bellingham. Goal. Fail to see how Gundo could have "stopped" Bellingham from heading the ball.

As I see it, its possession at all costs. Kova could have simply kicked it out. Lewis did not go to the ball from Kova.

 

[Bill Walker]

Well, well, well, I am on page 33 now, and having vented my frustrations against Kova and Rico some lines above, I found out reading up to this page that I wasn't even the most angered forum member, the perks of not being a fanny wipe.

The lads did not played that bad before the two late brainfarts. I was expecting those to come at early stages and receive a drubbing like PSG's or Tarquins, but our side was composed. Los Franco's Blanco's Malácticos were still a threat and Ederson saved our arses on several ocasions.

Our first goal was pure quality, and we had our chances, even hit the woodwork twice.

Just one mistake, and everything crumbles. That lack of backbone has been haunting us all season, and the curse of injuries; but we've played worse than yesterday. Don't know what looms ahead in terms of the season.

Just, Come on City!

What is your opinion of Pep's tactics and substitutions? just interested mate .

 

[knuckles]

Gundogan was not to blame for the third goal. Stones, Dias and Gvardiol were exactly where they should have been. Was a 30 yard pass to Bellingham who tries a header to Garcia; Kovacic was approaching; poor flick pass from him; Lewis makes a despairing try for the ball and misses, Vini off to the races with Ruben pursuing him and Stones on wrong side of Bellingham. Goal. Fail to see how Gundo could have "stopped" Bellingham from heading the ball.

As I see it, its possession at all costs. Kova could have simply kicked it out. Lewis did not go to the ball from Kova.

Gundogan was not to blame for the third goal. Stones, Dias and Gvardiol were exactly where they should have been. Was a 30 yard pass to Bellingham who tries a header to Garcia; Kovacic was approaching; poor flick pass from him; Lewis makes a despairing try for the ball and misses, Vini off to the races with Ruben pursuing him and Stones on wrong side of Bellingham. Goal. Fail to see how Gundo could have "stopped" Bellingham from heading the ball.

As I see it, its possession at all costs. Kova could have simply kicked it out. Lewis did not go to the ball from Kova.

With Kev on the pitch, Bellingham stayed mainly in a holding role and supporting the Madrid defence, Gundog has no attacking threat (or defensive) so that released Bellingham to get forward more. There is no way Gundog should be getting anywhere near playing for us again, he's been a fantastic player for us, but that ship has sailed.

 

[knuckles]

With Kev on the pitch, Bellingham stayed mainly in a holding role and supporting the Madrid defence, Gundog has no attacking threat (or defensive) so that released Bellingham to get forward more. There is no way Gundog should be getting anywhere near playing for us again, he's been a fantastic player for us, but that ship has sailed.

I'd go on to say that if Kev would have stayed on we would have won that game.

 

[Tevez City]

I think we will win against Madrid, but then lose in penalties

 

[Bluekiwi]

Was just looking at the last goal.
At the time I didnt realise how far up the pitch Dias was. Well inside the Madrid half.
Everyone bombing forward and out of position.

Haven't seen the game or highlights, but was Dias that far up the pitch in the closing minutes?
If so he should be embarrassed. As a senior, captain, leader, the example should have been "I am staying deeper just in case they win the ball". That is an instruction Pep should issue at pre-game planning and reinforced at half-time as part of his solution to our capitulations.

 

[Mr. Shush]

With Kev on the pitch, Bellingham stayed mainly in a holding role and supporting the Madrid defence, Gundog has no attacking threat (or defensive) so that released Bellingham to get forward more. There is no way Gundog should be getting anywhere near playing for us again, he's been a fantastic player for us, but that ship has sailed.

The pass came from near the penalty box to Bellingham. There is no way you can blame Gundogan for that play. None. is he slow? Yes. Should he have been out there? No. Should KDB have been out there past 60 minutes? No. Did Kova send a hospital ball to Lewis? Yes. Should Lewis have done better? Yeah. But don't blame Gundogan for that run of play. And Bellingham was forward for much of the game and for several scoring opportunities.

 

[BuzLightyear]

Hart

Khusanov Stones Dias Gvardiol

Nico

Foden Marmoush

Savinho Haaland Doku

This at the Bernabeu, just attack and press them with pace and energy.

What a great line-up! Not just at Madrid but for the rest of the season. Thank you. : )

 

[Craig]

I'd go on to say that if Kev would have stayed on we would have won that game.

Mate, not saying Gundo should have come on but it was what i expected to happen. KDB could barely move by the time he went off he was absolutely gassed. Bellingham had started getting forward miles more 2nd half and by the time he scored they’d taken Mbappe off so he pushed up even more. We know Gundo is on his last legs but he wasn’t the reason for that debacle in the last 10 minutes.

 

[Jimmieblue]

How old does a professional member of a premier league and chumps' league squad need to be before they tip over the threshold of slagoffability?...

I just happen to think Lewis has done a reasonable job in difficult circumstances. I also believe that slagging off doesn’t achieve much for any age group, but particularly young players at the start of their career.

 

[Shazza458]

Mate, not saying Gundo should have come on but it was what i expected to happen. KDB could barely move by the time he went off he was absolutely gassed. Bellingham had started getting forward miles more 2nd half and by the time he scored they’d taken Mbappe off so he pushed up even more. We know Gundo is on his last legs but he wasn’t the reason for that debacle in the last 10 minutes.

It’s not like we have lots of options anyway. Nico was obviously not fit and Pep wasn’t throwing O’Reilly in.

Kev, Gundo, Kova and Bernardo are all older, slower and less mobile. Not really any good options to change a game there. I can’t believe how unbalanced the midfield is

Our midfield is the root of all our issues. We are completely unable to put any pressure on the ball because our players can’t run. We can’t do anything. So much space in the middle of the pitch

 

[noseve]

Nico was obviously not fit

Why was he on the bench then? This is the sort of decision/thinking by which we are entitled to be frustrated.
It's all very well posters on here prattling on about what Pep and the players have won - we all know and appreciate that - but the history shouldn't absolve him of scrutiny in the face of what appears to be sheer bloody-mindedness, in terms of selection and (even worse, in my opinion) substitutions.
And why did we, out of character, plunge into the January window with such gusto, if not to generate some change in fortunes during the rest of this season?
Sanctimoniously going on about the past as if we are guilty of treason is cliché pathetic.

 

[noseve]

Why was he on the bench then? This is the sort of decision/thinking by which we are entitled to be frustrated.
It's all very well posters on here prattling on about what Pep and the players have won - we all know and appreciate that - but the history shouldn't absolve him of scrutiny in the face of what appears to be sheer bloody-mindedness, in terms of selection and (even worse, in my opinion) substitutions.
And why did we, out of character, plunge into the January window with such gusto, if not to generate some change in fortunes during the rest of this season?
Sanctinoniously going on about the past as if we are guilty of treason is cliché pathetic.

@Shazza458 - this post was not a pop at you, btw :-) - just wanted anything as an example of the strange thinking going on in Pep's mind

 

[JRockBlues]

Why was he on the bench then?

Would imagine that this was to help acclimatise to being with the squad on matchdays. It's not as though anyone else missed out on a spot on the bench because of it.

 

[Dribble]

I'd go on to say that if Kev would have stayed on we would have won that game.

Mate, KDB was dead on his feet from 60+ minutes until he was spared by substitution. This is the reality of where we find ourselves.

Pep wanted one last dance with his all conquering squad, but it's proved to be one tango too many.

 

[noseve]

Mate, KDB was dead on his feet from 60+ minutes until he was spared by substitution. This is the reality of where we find ourselves.

Agreed. Pretty apparent to anybody watching, I'd have thought?

Pep wanted one last dance with his all conquering squad, but it's proved to be one tango too many.

If only he could accept it - a self-indulgence that has really cost us...

 

[Platt Lane 59]

Mate, KDB was dead on his feet from 60+ minutes until he was spared by substitution. This is the reality of where we find ourselves.

Pep wanted one last dance with his all conquering squad, but it's proved to be one tango too many.

Unfortunately, Pep keeps making these basic mistakes made on loyalty, with the players not having the required energy or fitness to play our pressing game .
KDB is getting more frustrated with his performances and his teammates.
Does anyone know what is wrong with his fitness ?
He clearly no longer has the stamina, nor his former turn of speed.
This lack of time that he once possessed, is also hurting his passing ability, which has really gone downhill.
Another issue, is that Phil isn't firing on all cylinders. Last season, Phil's performances and goals, hid the fact that KDB missed games.
The dilemma for Pep now is when to give the new signings a regular run of games ?
Midfield has been very poor so far, the defence keep getting injuries.
Personally, I'd give all 4 new signings the next 6 games, as the "old guard" have not delivered...

 

[Dribble]

Agreed. Pretty apparent to anybody watching, I'd have thought?

If only he could accept it - a self-indulgence that has really cost us...

Pep knows his squad better than anyone, but after Rodri's warnings about being over-played & Txiki's offer to start the rebuild last summer being turned down, it still makes me wonder if Pep was seriously considering leaving this summer, so wanted the new manager & DoF to choose their own players for the rebuild.

None of this makes sense, because we just about got over the line winning the treble, & when Rodri was suspended for three games the following October, our squad's weaknesses were cruelly exposed as we lost all three matches.

BUT we failed to act that January or last summer in respect to finding competition & cover for Rodders, so here we are... We're the architects of our own difficulties.

However there's another issue. With the revamped CL, the Nation's League & now the 4 yearly CWC, how can FIFA/UEFA/PL limit clubs to 24/25 players? Something's gotta give & unfortunately for City, it was Rodri's knee.

 

[Dribble]

Unfortunately, Pep keeps making these basic mistakes made on loyalty, with the players not having the required energy or fitness to play our pressing game .
KDB is getting more frustrated with his performances and his teammates.
Does anyone know what is wrong with his fitness ?
He clearly no longer has the stamina, nor his former turn of speed.
This lack of time that he once possessed, is also hurting his passing ability, which has really gone downhill.
Another issue, is that Phil isn't firing on all cylinders. Last season, Phil's performances and goals, hid the fact that KDB missed games.
The dilemma for Pep now is when to give the new signings a regular run of games ?
Midfield has been very poor so far, the defence keep getting injuries.
Personally, I'd give all 4 new signings the next 6 games, as the "old guard" have not delivered...

The hole we find ourselves in, is that outside of Foden, Silva, Rodri & KDB, the central midfield fall-off is fuckin huge. Next in line are Kovacic, Gundog, Philips, Nunes, McAtee, Wright & O'Reilly.

With all due respect, but on current form & age, I'd expect those final six options to be the midfield for a bottom ⅓ PL side, not one wanting to overturn a one goal deficit against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Herein lies our problem! We have little by realistic way of strength in depth.

When you also add in KDB's age, it's easy to see why our season's turned to shit. Whether Moose & Gonzalez help alleviate this pressure in the short-term remains to be seen. The difficulties we're currently faced with were set in motion 2 years ago, but we failed to heed the several warnings in front of us. This mess is totally on City's inaction.