Dortmund (H) - CL QF | Post-Match Thread

[northstandgiveusasong]

I'd play Sterling and Fernandinho in the 2nd leg.

 

[Mancity1980]

The ball forwards, straight through us was an issue. I wonder if Pep will look to have Cancelo more inverted in the next game to look to block that route and force Dortmund wide.

Having said that, it might be a case of our players still getting back into things after the international break. That's their first game together for a while and it's not a surprise some struggled considering their roles for their national teams, and how they play, are quite different.

The main thing we need to improve on in the CL, is the mentality of killing games off. In the league, we do play in second gear for a lot of the time. We get a couple of goals and then it's all about control and game management. Play within ourselves, rest legs and job done. But we leave with 3pts and that's fine.

In the CL, it has to be 90 minutes of intense football looking to get more goals and add to the lead. We can't click that switch and go into ourselves, looking to control things and sit on the lead we have. Because just one goal can completely change the complexion of the match. It's halftime and if Dortmund score first next week, we're going out. We need to keep our concentration and foot on the gas for the entire performance.

I'm sure we've realised that, and to get the win so late will be a huge boost. We go into the game with the knowledge we have to score to give ourselves a bit more comfort and that's a good thing for me. We don't need to worry about them scoring, we should just assume they will and play from the start as if we need a goal. Pep's spot on - go there to win. The more we score the harder their job. Get a goal early and they're then 2 goals away from extra time and we'll have plenty more chances.

I believe Pep mentioned about Cancelo and Rodi not moving into the correct spaces, so the issue you mention about the balls forward maybe more of an execution problem rather than a tactical one. So, the question for our coach will be does he risk them learning from their mistakes and not repeating them in what will be a crucial second leg or does he change things a little?

 

[balotellishaircut]

How many could they have scored?

They could of scored one more I reckon, so a fair reflection the score should of been 4-2

 

[deano ou812]

Just thinking that the weight of expectation and fear if you want to call it that of falling at quarter final stage is a burden on the players,I reckon they get through the second leg all that will be lifted from their shoulders and wouldn’t be surprised we turned over whoever we get ( if we get past Dortmund) between Bayern or PSG ..

 

[Mancity1980]

I have to disagree. I think we made 5 high-quality chances and only scored 2 goals.

1 - Our first goal
2 - 65th minute, KDB cut back to Foden who should have scored (but shot straight at the keeper)
3 - 77th minute, KDB plays Foden in on the counter who probably should have done better
4 - 80th minute, Foden dribbles into box and shoots wide, should have scored
5 - Our second goal

On another day we'd have got 3 or 4 of these.

Where we weren't quite up to our usual standards is the half-chances that we tend to have dozens of each game. The shots from outside the box & chances from set-pieces etc. But I think that was more down to Dortmund playing quite a high backline and deep forwards and really crowding out space in the middle.

My point is, we had enough chances to see the game out, if we'd gone 2-0 up it would have been a very tough task for them to get back into the tie.

I thought we looked more dangerous when Jesus came on, but I'm not sure if that was due to the slight change in tactics, or if Dortmund were knackered from pressing us for the previous 70 minutes.

Great post, I think 3-1, 4-1 would have been a fair result and would be a little more stressful going into the second leg. If they get the opening goal in the return match particularly if it is late in the game will result in quite a few blues losing their nerve.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

They could of scored one more I reckon, so a fair reflection the score should of been 4-2

The point is that in a CL QF, we could have very easily given up two goals at home, while being profligate ourselves.

 

[davek1808]

I definitely think we'll score over there, so think we'll be fine.

 

[Fiftyyearsandcounting]

She’s worse than Geoff Shreeves. Her questions are proper weird.

Pep can be a little prickly or irritated in his post match interviews, but yesterday he seemed completely baffled. If you could read his mind, he's thinking "What the f*ck is she going on about".
Brought to mind the occasion when BBC mistook a job applicant for a guest on a business programme.

 

[Mancity1980]

Just thinking that the weight of expectation and fear if you want to call it that of falling at quarter final stage is a burden on the players,I reckon they get through the second leg all that will be lifted from their shoulders and wouldn’t be surprised we turned over whoever we get ( if we get past Dortmund) between Bayern or PSG ..

There is an inherent lack of confidence in our club when he comes to the champions league that comes about from having not ever won it, akin to prior to winning our first trophy in 35 years in 2011 or first title in 44 years in 2012. The thing is that disappears when you finally overcome it and is replaced with an inner confidence that you will repeat it again and again. Our trophy haul since then us testament to that. Win this champions league (no matter how messy or difficult it plays out) and we will be feared on all fronts for years to come and there will be other titles.

 

[balotellishaircut]

The point is that in a CL QF, we could have very easily given up two goals at home, while being profligate ourselves.

We were profligate that’s why we only scored 2, but in your first post you said they were tough to breakdown, with there 4-5-1 system, anyway let’s agree to disagree mate, we won :)