Atletico (A) - Wed 13th April, 20:00 (BST) | Pre-Match Thread

[cibaman]

This is going to be a really hard game to win. I imagine their crowd will be as vociferous in their appeals as their players for fouls, free kicks, penalties etc. City will need to be so professional & not get invloved in any retaliatory behaviour as Atletico will lap it up. Its going to be really close. Good luck City and hit them on the break.

I would really enjoy it if, in the first few minutes, Bernardo and KDB took the ball into the corner and kept it there for 5 mins. Just to lay down a marker. Make it clear to atletico that it’s up to them to win the game and that we’re not going to be suckered

 

[mancityscot]

Cancelo, KDB still one yellow away from missing first leg of semifinals. of course we still have to earn the right to play in those games.

Real has no players on similar risk, Chelsea have Rudiger and Loftus Cheek.

you just know cancelo is picking up a yellow. De Bruyne a bit less likely.

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

you just know cancelo is picking up a yellow. De Bruyne a bit less likely.

Most cards get shown later in a game when players are getting tired and the ref’s losing patience. So I’m guessing that, with that in mind, both Cancelo and DeBruyne will be subbed off at 60 minutes or maybe sooner if we add to our lead earlier.
I how it pans out like that anyhow - especially the “us adding to our lead early on” part.

 

[lionheart]

you just know cancelo is picking up a yellow. De Bruyne a bit less likely.

If we intend getting a result against Real Madrid in the semi-final, we will need Kevin to be available. For this reason I would rest him at Atletico, maybe bringing him on for the last 20 minutes when the play may be more open. Not so worried about Cancelo.

 

[JRockBlues]

Because he's carrying that yellow card I wouldn't be surprised if Cancelo is benched (sorry, rotated out) for this game with Ake in at left back and Wlker at right back.

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

Because he's carrying that yellow card I wouldn't be surprised if Cancelo is benched (sorry, rotated out) for this game with Ake in at left back and Wlker at right back.

I think that is exactly what will happen. Walker's pace covering their counter attacks will be invaluable, Cancelo is on a card and Ake had a brilliant game in the first leg

 

[mdj0520]

I'd honestly be fine with both Cancelo and KDB being rotated out due to their yellows. They also tend to start every match so a break wouldn't be the end of the world. We saw Ake can do the job at left back in the first leg, and the midfield of Rodri-Bernardo-Gundogan is proven to be excellent over several seasons.

 

[freshie]

 

[Father Ruben]

What boozers are blues meeting at tomorrow? Or is it in the square again?

 

[eversince 76]

A lot will depend on how much Atletico change their gameplan. But I like to believe playing at home in front of their fans the players will come out more. Maybe even ignoring Simeone’s order to keep a 5-5-0 up until the 85th minute.

Pep probably will rotate a few. Other than Ederson I don’t mind tbh. Can’t go with the same front 3 as Sundays match with Jesus being suspended. I would play Sterling. They hate a player that due to his speed gets easily off balance.

This one is about qualifying or getting knocked out. Same as Saturday.