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]

 

[BuzzAldrin]

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.

 

[Katsunari Takayama]

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

We can keep the ball in the corner better than any team I’ve ever seen - astonishing technique and balance and strength. It’s more entertaining watching us do that than watching most other teams attack.

 

[Roachy]

Early goal for us I hope.

 

[mrtwiceaseason]

Just in plaza mayor now it's ringed with police vans horses machine guns the lot ,there is hardly any Chelsea fans here maybe 100

 

[Didsbury Dave]

They won't change their gameplan significantly because if they do we will destroy them. Score and this tie is over.

 

[the talisman]

This is our biggest game of the season so far and it is not done. I don’t get all this talk of rotation.
Pep will play the strongest team he possibly can and will worry about the semi if and when we get through.

I’m not saying he won’t make changes (I imagine Mahrez and maybe Grealish will come in) but there’s no way that Kev and Cancelo will be ‘rested’ in case they get a yellow, IMO

 

[kaz7]

You taking the piss? lol

He always does, loves the reaction

 

[kaz7]

These will be absolutely shiteing their bikini bottoms.

I’d play Grealish from the off and employ him as chief wum. Get their heads to fall off then pick them apart.

I think we’ll put on a seriously powerful show on Wednesday and show Europe who the fucking daddy is.

He will be too busy winding them up to actually play football, he is not good enough to start , the cl is different for him, we want to concentrate and play the game, we are only one goal ahead and away

 

[Bellamy's Caddy]

This game is going to be the polar opposite of Sunday. We will need to be patient and control the tempo of the game. There's more pressure on them, as they have to score, we don't. Even if they start the game in the same way they played at our place, they're going to have to attack us eventually and hopefully that will play in to our hands. We still need to be clinical when we do create chances though.

As others have said, an early goal for us should kill the tie, let's hope we get one.

 

[chaddblue]

Just in plaza mayor now it's ringed with police vans horses machine guns the lot ,there is hardly any Chelsea fans here maybe 100

How hot is it mate? T-shirt and shorts weather?

 

[Damanino]

Simeone is no fool. they can adapt. they are not a great, entertaining footballing side for sure, but of course they play with much more possession, attacking in their games when they play the lesser teams in La Liga.

His tactics were extreme but I dont think it was a disaster. We really struggled to score that one goal against them, and Oblak wasnt tested at all other than that goal. Not many teams can restrict us to about 1 serious on target shot.
(there was a KDB freekick which was good, but did not cause much issue for Oblak really.)

They will still be defensive imo tomorrow, but with much more emphasis on counter attacks from the start. maybe they will change their pressing as us passing around their half is not something they will want. expect them to leave Joao Felix upfront for any potential counter, we need to catch him with any cynical tactical fault as close to their half as possible in any tricky situation.

and if they manage to go 1-0 up they might go back and play for the extra time as at home thats a big advantage.

The ease we threw away our lead vs Liverpool in about 40 seconds into sencond half can happen here too if we are not concentrating 100%.

in terms of dark arts, yes fans will boo ref decisions, probably our players as well, applaud any hacks they commit against us, their players will provoke our players look at Grealish for example last game, he played 20 min was fouled 5/6 times and some more bullshit like talking him up, messed with his hair etc. they especially will try Cancelo and KDb knowing they can get them suspended and that itself can make them more angry during this game and more likely to get a red as well.

Simeone will use any shithousery he can.

but until they go ahead the timewasting he cannot use. good to have Walker back to track any counter.