Real Madrid (A) - Wed 19th Feb, 20:00 | CL | Pre-Match Thread

[jaiguruKun]

No Haaland, Bernardo and Gundogan start, Rudiger starts for them. I want whatever you’re drinking. We are in trouble here.

Rudiger has got the better of Haaland in previous games.

 

[supercity88]

Can only assume that's the plan, keep the game tight, possibly limit it to a goal down in the tie until around 70 mins and then bring on Haaland + KDB + Doku.

It won't work, game will be done by then. But it's the taking part that counts. Fight till the end!

The plan will be to control the game throughout. When we have the ball and pass and move we are in control. We have consistently had small periods where we have lost control or made a mistake which has ended up costing us against Real. We were awful for the first 15 mins of the first leg but got away with it for once but they got their rewards late on instead.

The 4-0 was a 90minute display of control and they couldn't deal with it.

They do their damage when we give the ball away or switch off defensively. They can't do anything if we keep the ball and box them in. And late on they have managed to step up where we have started to make more errors previously. KDB and Haaland on the bench gives us huge weapons from the bench this time around and can benefit from the extra space after our starters run them hard and keep them moving.

 

[Father Paul]

He’s carrying

What? Is he up the site?

 

[stan bowles]

DId our plane divert to Dr Cugat and Barcelona en route to Madrid ? Is Haaland just on the bench for show ?

 

[csit17]

And therefore Foden right Sav left?

Bernie right, sav left, foden and marmoush swapping between 9 and 10

 

[Barcon]

Another one. Blue “wars” you are having a laugh, blue pussy

Haha Blue waffle.

 

[Father Paul]

Alas we are missing El Cid

Jack Grealish maybe?

 

[Blu1]

Feel like pressure off in a weird way. Looking forward to the game, good performances & no injuries is all I ask.

Not arsed if we go through league & fa cup priority for me this season

 

[robbieh]

Bernie right, sav left, foden and marmoush swapping between 9 and 10

That could work.

 

[Dax777]

Outside of Gundogs starting, i like the team.

 

[PragueBlue]

No Haaland and no KDB should allow us to press a bit more actively/energetically with Gundogan and Gonzalez to provide a bit of cover for when they break the press.

Under the circumstances, a decent team.

 

[Burtonblue]

Probably needs surgery but minor. We Fight On.

He’s on the fucking bench ffs!!
This is a tactical master stroke from Pep.
Proper googly.

 

[jimharri]

Gundogan obviously has incriminating pics of Pep with next door's pet hamster. I can’t think of any other reason for him getting in the team. Forget last saturday, I would have impressed against that Newcastle team.

 

[Father Paul]

Bernie right, sav left, foden and marmoush swapping between 9 and 10

You could put a melody to that one.

 

[Dax777]

Bernie right, sav left, foden and marmoush swapping between 9 and 10

Thats what i expect

 

[Alan Harper's Tash]

Guess we’ll find out if we play better without Haaland tonight. ;-)

 

[Claytop]

Gundogan obviously has incriminating pics of Pep with next door's pet hamster. I can’t think of any other reason for him getting in the team. Forget last saturday, I would have impressed against that Newcastle team.

Him and Bernie are definitely Pep’s favourites, he’d play them every game if he could.

 

[bert38]

He’s on the fucking bench ffs!!
This is a tactical master stroke from Pep.
Proper googly.

He’s injured. ‘Felt a sharp pain’

 

[Father Paul]

Outside of Gundogs starting, i like the team.

He played well Saturday and deserves a chance. Remember Villa? He might cement his legacy tonight.

 

[ThreesKompany]

No Haaland and no KDB should allow us to press a bit more actively/energetically with Gundogan and Gonzalez to provide a bit of cover for when they break the press.

Under the circumstances, a decent team.

Press should be better. Also should be better in possession with movement and flexibility among the front group. But the question is going to be where the goals come from.