Are we good enough defensively to win the Champions League

[Rolee]

He played there against spurs at Wembley last season no?

Yep and against Arsenal at Wembley, and against Arsenal at the Emirates, and against Chelsea at home.

 

[aguerrrroooooooooooo]

Marti Perarnau said on a 9320 podcast last season that Pep did buy Gundogan with a view to playing him in Fernandinho's position, but quickly realised that while it would work in Spain or Germany, it wasn't going to fly in the faster, more end-to-end Premier League.

I think that's why he's still Pep's first choice back up last season and this season. He's not physical or mobile enough to play there every week against Stoke/Middlesborough/Burnley, but against some of the less direct sides who play through and not over midfield - Arsenal/Swansea/Spurs, he's OK.

This is my fundamental issue with ilkay. Very much a jack of all trades but a master of none; Bernardo completely outshined him on Tuesday when he came on and he doesn't have enough in his game to dislodge Dinho.
Another matter for another thread I guess

 

[dickie davies]

The question should be, which team in this year's Champions League is best equipped defensively to win it?
As good as Barcelona were against Spurs, their defence was all at sea on a number of occasions

 

[aguerrrroooooooooooo]

The question should be, which team in this year's Champions League is best equipped defensively to win it?
As good as Barcelona were against Spurs, their defence was all at sea on a number of occasions

My answer would be Juve.

 

[dickie davies]

My answer would be Juve.

Have they been tested this season yet?

 

[cptaidan88]

The balance of our side just seems to have been a bit off this season and its difficult to pin point the issue, as its been largely the same personnel. I think we look more vulnerable defensively and not as effective going forwards. Obviously De Bruyne is a huge loss going forwards, but he puts in a real shift defensively too and it may be we're missing that more than I'd appreciated. Fernandinho and the two Silvas would be my midfield of choice until Kev gets back.

Its reassuring to think we have at least another gear, but would be good to see evidence of it - hopefully on Sunday.

 

[aguerrrroooooooooooo]

Have they been tested this season yet?

They've played Napoli at home, have won all their games so far and not conceded in the champions League. They probably won't do until after the group stage either

 

[dickie davies]

They've played Napoli at home, have won all their games so far and not conceded in the champions League. They probably won't do until after the group stage either

I'll take comfort in the fact that generally a team that starts the season really well doesn't win the CL.
It's normally a team that ambles through the group and then grows into the competition

 

[crazyg]

Have they been tested this season yet?

They've played Napoli at home, have won all their games so far and not conceded in the champions League. They probably won't do until after the group stage either

But, but but............they're playing the rags soon.

 

[ninjamonkey]

To single out the defence is so wrong. Its not an individual problem, our defence is vulnerable as a by product of the way we play regardless of the players ability, it's the biggest weakness of a Pep team but something he's clearly willing to risk as the rewards are so high as proven by last season's achievements.

Any increase in defensive sturdiness would come at the expense of our dominating attacking displays. Pretty sure Pep himself has said how hard it is for defenders in his team to look good, there's a lot of pressure placed on them to defend 1v1 constantly, one mistake, error or even just letting your man get the better of you once often results in a goal against. I do think he needs to adapt on occasions, any time we play Liverpool being one of them but given his achievements you can't really blame Pep for having complete faith in his methods.