Al Hilal (N) | CWC | Post Match Thread

[SWPISHOME]

The defending is absolutely atrocious and that's being kind.

We really really miss a serious leader to play at centre back, All of our centre backs are far too nice! I wouldn't say any of them would put their body on the line.

That's why Khusanov should be playing in this team, At least he's aggressive in everything he does he loves the physical side of the game. That can't be said for Dias or Akanji.

 

[paulsimpson]

Definitely first world problems. Won’t be flying home early, this annual leave was very hard to come by. I have plenty of ideas what to do, just wasn’t what I was hoping for and doesn’t stop me being disappointed.

We are all disappointed blue.
Pep and Pep need to make sure that if we are going to play a High Line then we need the speedier Defenders like Khusanov and Reis to cover the ground. We should never be as porous as that. But it keeps happening. May they sort it before mid August.

 

[SamBlue]

Losing to Saudi team full of Brazilian and ex EPL journeymen is one thing, but losing by conceding four pushes it on completely different level.
Pep suddenly got to answer so many important questions and whether Gundo can make it or not for another season is not one of them. By the way, the very moment he was subbed alongside Nunes our effectiveness in the final third fell 50% at least.

We are all disappointed blue.
Pep and Pep need to make sure that if we are going to play a High Line then we need the speedier Defenders like Khusanov and Reis to cover the ground. We should never be as porous as that. But it keeps happening. May they sort it before mid August.

You can clone Usain Bolt and play them as CBs and they are going to get found out playing them 70 yards from their goal.

 

[Earlyriser]

Whilst watching the game before the 4th goal the matchday thread was dreading the prospect of penalties because most fans knew the chances of Ederson saving one was zero. How much longer can we continue with a goalie whose shot stopping record is poor and cannot save a penalty. He was bought for his distribution but that is now a bit of luxury given his shop stopping record. I know what my preference is for.

 

[TFC]

I stayed up until full time and then fucked it off for my bed, looks like I made the right call. I saw enough in 90 minutes to know while it was nice last week when we were ‘back’, we’re not. Still profligate in front of goal, still can’t defend, midfield still a sieve. That high line? Just fuck off.

The lads need a good rest now, but if Pep doesn’t really change things, we’ll be about where we were last season. He’s not really going to change is he?

 

[GaudinoMotors]

No way Gundogen or Silva should have been anywhere near that team last night
In fact can’t see why they should even be in the squad given our academy plus new signings

You certainly can't have them both on.
To be fair to Bernie, Gundogan is the problem imo.

 

[vicblueman]

Embarrassing.
300m spent and still the same issues.

Just seen the goals scored .
We look good going forward, if we had taken our chances we should of been out of sight .
That 1st goal the opposition scored was self inflicted with high line positioning from last 2 defenders .
When will Pg learn that defending is an Art to & shouldn't be ignored ?
They should of been positioned on the halfway line .
Why was Gundo starting ,he should be getting last 10-20 mins of games only .
Having said that they now can get a rest , Pg & his assistant can discuss & reflect on things ,what worked ,what didn't.
The highs & lows of being a city fan it doesn't change like a roller coaster up & down at times regardless of quality on show .
I always remember one preseason game where Hibs beat us at Easter rd 3-0 ,i was devastated lol!
I am sure we will be ready for the new season .

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

After the Juve match i was full of optimism and really fancied our chances in this competition considering the bracket we were in & was imagining seriously regaining our league title off the dippers but now i’m the complete opposite, Juve match was a glimpse into the future today was a fearful look back into last season’s past.

Genuinely more arsed about this than I was against Palace. Such a kick in the bollocks when it was looking so exciting and optimistic

 

[B\connellblue]

Are we still staying in Orlando for our quarter final as the happy clappers were explaining after beating Juventus?
"Peps got his Mojo back " and "the old City's back" were very popular posts.
In summary we beat 2 sides no one has heard of and a poor Juventus outfit before been embarrassingly dumped out by fucking Saudi outfit Al Hilal.
Doubt any other manager at this tournament with the squad City have would have been beaten by Al Hilal.
The one saving grace was.at least the football was more attack minded which somewhat softens the blow.

 

[Semper aggressus]

Why do we persist with Gundogan and Silva starting in midfield? They have no pace, and no attacking threat

We’ve got Reijnders now, not to mention the seemingly invisible Gonzalez, plus Foden, Cherki, even Nunes if he’s not at RB (which in itself is an issue!) Any combination of those with Rodri or between them is a good midfield.

Gundogan and Bernardo have been superb, but they offer nothing now with mostly 20-something lads running past them every game.

 

[BlueMonkey79]

Every PL manager pretty much just had their tactics set up for them for next season. We will play 90% of our games next season with the opposition putting 11 men on the edge of their own box knowing at some point a quick counter and they will be in.

I'm waiting for Wolves to do it in our first game. It's nailed on.

 

[Kippax Street 1880]

The defending is absolutely atrocious and that's being kind.

We really really miss a serious leader to play at centre back, All of our centre backs are far too nice! I wouldn't say any of them would put their body on the line.

That's why Khusanov should be playing in this team, At least he's aggressive in everything he does he loves the physical side of the game. That can't be said for Dias or Akanji.

Pep's completely ostracised the lad because he booted a few balls long against Bournemouth in the cup its fucking pathetic

 

[homerdog]

Surprise, surprise, the BBC cunts have suddenly taken an interest in the CWC.

 

[GaudinoMotors]

If this debacle makes us get ruthless, move some on, get in some players with winning and strong personalities (yes I know - not Pep's cup of tea), then some scintilla of good can come of it.

 

[CC1]

Why do we persist with Gundogan and Silva starting in midfield? They have no pace, and no attacking threat

We’ve got Reijnders now, not to mention the seemingly invisible Gonzalez, plus Foden, Cherki, even Nunes if he’s not at RB (which in itself is an issue!) Any combination of those with Rodri or between them is a good midfield.

Gundogan and Bernardo have been superb, but they offer nothing now with mostly 20-something lads running past them every game.

I suspect rotation was necessary in that heat & to protect players for the all-important new season. After all - according to the red cartel & media - this is just a Micky mouse meaningless cup. ALTHOUGH now we’re out, it should get a load of positive coverage & be the trophy to win for posterity

 

[Northerndave]

If we continue to play a high line then Khusanov has to start, he is the only defender with pace (see Kyle Walker 2017 until about 2023).

Stones, Ake, Akanji and Dias - who goes?

Stones? Isn't he on PIP by now? Surprised the club hasn't built him a ramp for easy access

 

[Bill Walker]

Ederson getting blamed by a few.
Which of the goals should he have saved?
His kicking was off though.

When a team get through our defence you always feel Eddie won't do a Bono.

For me, he's not good enough anymore, along with Akanji, Dias, Gundogan, Silva, Savinho.
But I'm sure Pep will keep playing them and the same tactics.

 

[alexmcity]

The hard truth is we couldn't win this without Rodri being fully fit and available. Even if we could reach the final PSG or Real would have dominated us in the middle. Also, Dias and Gvardiol played a lot and are a bit off form.

Better go out now so that the players can get a proper rest before the new season. Guess they'll be back the last Monday of July, about 3 weeks before the start of the season.

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

If this debacle makes us get ruthless, move some on, get in some players in with winning and strong personalities ( yes I know - not Pep's cup of tea), then some scintilla of good can come of it.

Well after the FA Cup final debacle and the Champions League debacle I guess it’s third time lucky?

 

[robbieh]

There’s that plus the ridiculous defending. I don’t want to spend the morning moaning though. We’ve had many a great season after looking shaky in pre-season.

That's very true.