Tevez City
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Not thinking beyond Madrid game.
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Can we reach the Champions League final?
- Thread starter Marvin
- Start date
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- champions league
Mad Eyed Screamer
Moderator
Agree. Had we played that game as planned just after the first leg i had no doubts we would have gone through. Still think we will but Real are stronger now (yes Ramos will be missing) and UEFA have had time to "select" their referee for the game........Not thinking beyond Madrid game.
JRockBlues
Well-Known Member
The reason teams like Norwich get so many chances against us is that we are usually pushed so far up the pitch with most of our players that it's then a foot race to whoever gets to the ball first. Against teams like Madrid, Juventus, Bayern or Barca we will not be so exposed. Rodri (hopefully) will not be sitting just outside the opposition's box for 90% of the game and will add to the protection for the 2 centre half's. Our full-backs won't be acting as wingers for the whole game either.
Grealish’s Shinpads
Well-Known Member
We tend to play well against teams like that though. We struggle against teams that park the bus. Either way the CL is 90% luck, even more so now with the single-leg tiesI'm all for blind optimism, but we are talking about Madrid, Juve, PSG, Bayern, Barca here, not Norwich et al. Teams that have a go at us, score because we are defensively weak.
baggy
Well-Known Member
UEFA are going to pull a 'Reverse Clarkie' and rig it for us to win the cup as to not appear (any more...) corrupt.
TFC
Well-Known Member
We tend to play well against teams like that though. We struggle against teams that park the bus. Either way the CL is 90% luck, even more so now with the single-leg ties
Agreed. Not saying we won't do it, in fact I think this is as good of a shot as we've had in a while, but our defending makes me nervous. Lucky for us, we score a shitload :)
supercity88
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- 9 Aug 2009
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I think we'll be in Lisbon, but the final is going to be a tough ask. So many potentially tricky games and if one goes to extra time it could cost us. The 5 subs helps us more than most teams really though with the options we have on the bench. It's a shame Sane couldn't have been one as well though. Hopefully Aguero makes it too. The starting 11 in Madrid for example, if we played that again we'd have Aguero, Foden, Sterling and Silva on the bench. Not a bad four to come on if we need a goal.
Let's get to Lisbon first and see. The team needs to retain sharpness physically and mentally. Having the Real game first helps in that regard. But that's true of all teams our side of the draw. The other side have a game less and is weaker on paper so once it comes to the final will probably be in better shape. Our performance in Madrid was class and the type that makes us look like potential winners. We defended well for the majority, had a lot of chances and got the win, coming from behind. It showed a lot of character. Especially with Ferny and Otamendi as the centre backs for most of the game.
I think Cancelo at left back will help the balance further and Foden has come on so much that Pep will not have second thoughts about starting him in the CL. Hopefully Bernardo can find some more form too as his versatility and ability to keep the ball can help us see games out or create chances if the opposition are sat back.
I really really hope we can win it. I just feel we might still lack that character to see us over the line in a knockout game. Can we see out a win if we're a goal up with 10 minutes to go? Can we find a goal if we really need to with 10 minutes left and the opposition sat back? Beating Madrid in the game at home will be a huge accolade that hopefully gives us confidence to push on. It could all open up for us if Lyon and Napoli can knock Juve and Barca out and do for Bayern too!
Let's get to Lisbon first and see. The team needs to retain sharpness physically and mentally. Having the Real game first helps in that regard. But that's true of all teams our side of the draw. The other side have a game less and is weaker on paper so once it comes to the final will probably be in better shape. Our performance in Madrid was class and the type that makes us look like potential winners. We defended well for the majority, had a lot of chances and got the win, coming from behind. It showed a lot of character. Especially with Ferny and Otamendi as the centre backs for most of the game.
I think Cancelo at left back will help the balance further and Foden has come on so much that Pep will not have second thoughts about starting him in the CL. Hopefully Bernardo can find some more form too as his versatility and ability to keep the ball can help us see games out or create chances if the opposition are sat back.
I really really hope we can win it. I just feel we might still lack that character to see us over the line in a knockout game. Can we see out a win if we're a goal up with 10 minutes to go? Can we find a goal if we really need to with 10 minutes left and the opposition sat back? Beating Madrid in the game at home will be a huge accolade that hopefully gives us confidence to push on. It could all open up for us if Lyon and Napoli can knock Juve and Barca out and do for Bayern too!