Leverkusen (H) | CL | Post Match Thread

[FogBlueInSanFran]

I’ll state upfront that I don’t think Stones and Ake should get new contracts, and Bernardo is going to leave.

That said, Stones was absolutely not the reason for this loss, and was one of the better players tonight, imho. Gonzales was left alone in the middle of midfield, and Leverkeusen were very, very good at playing around him and finding that open player in front of our back four. From there, the CBs were both outnumbered and outrun!

Ake has been a great player, but he is not the profile we need and we should cash in on him in January or the summer. It’s unforgivable that he let his man step in front of him, instead of Ake attacking the ball, and allowing the forward to get the second.

Bernardo has been an absolute standout this season and a key player in some of our best performances. Accordingly, he will move to Benguca (or wherever) with my deepest appreciation.

I love Ake but his legs — which weren’t ever Usain Bolt’s to begin with — are completely gone now. Also agree on Stones and Bernie.

 

[Axel Freed]

Quincy pisses all over Columbo mate

 

[the blue panther]

They were a decent team to begin with and our team selection showed a massive over-confidence in our 2nd string players - which was very much misplaced - matched by an obvious under-estimation of our opponents. As a result, the Etihad was transformed from a fortress to a Wendy house, where Leverkusen were able to have lots of fun at the expense of many thousands of fans who paid to see our stars, but were defrauded.

I've said already that I was saving my money for Saturday against Leeds but, if I'd gone and seen that debacle, I'd be even more furious than I am, having just watched it on the box.

Pep said he was ashamed at having 'had a go' at that cameraman at Newcastle on Saturday; he has much, much more to be ashamed of tonight after serving up THAT pile of shite.

 

[YaYa's Left Peg]

Pathetic,honestly how many of this squad wiuld get into the squad of 3-4 years ago fucking Haaland,O’Reilly and Donna the rest are shite,past it or just don’t have the hunger or mentality to challenge for the big prizes,I’ve not included Rodri as he’s injured and I’ll give Cherki a by ball as he seems to have something about him..

Rubbish. Doku, Dias, Phil and Nico all good enough

 

[Chak19]

WHY change so many players and setup with Real Madrid away up next, Bag the 3 points and then rest players at Mardid

No chance Pep would rest players against Madrid, his Catalan pride won't allow it.

 

[argyle]

Wingers (Doku aside, but only just) produce absolutely nothing in this team

What I wouldn’t give for a Sterling or Mahrez back

Midfielders close to no goal threat either

Where are the goals going to come from if not Erling?

People didn't know what they had in Sterling and Mahrez, because they were regularly criticised and abused in the match and post match threads.

 

[paulsimpson]

You play a totally changed team, the entire group might suffer. Pep has spoken about how Savinho for example has the ability but needs self belief. He eroded that massively tonight. Probably likewise with Reijnders.

If he'd started with Erling, Doku & Phil. Just those 3 would have made a difference and it would have lifted the other lads. We've the third youngest team in the PL and it was men against boys tonight. Players like Reijnders and Savinho have talent but they do need a platform to built confidence.

 

[HelloCity]

 

[nmc]

People didn't know what they had in Sterling and Mahrez, because they were regularly criticised and abused in the match and post match threads.

Mahrez had a first touch to die for… Savinho couldn’t trap a bag of cement

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

I'm trying to remember the last time a starting XI annoyed me as much as tonight, but after googling the 3-0 defeat at Anfield in 2010-11 and also the 4-2 defeat at Southampton in 15-16, those line-ups were far stronger than I remembered and only involved 3-4 changes.

There was also mitigation, because unlike tonight, both Mancini and Pellegrini were facing career-defining Semi Finals in the next game,

Tonight was just fucking stupid and reminiscent of those England friendlies under Sven when he used to make 11 changes and we'd lose to Australia etc

At least give Ait Nouri a chance behind Doku, with Bernardo coming short. Don't just change everyone

 

[St.Pauli support]

No chance Pep would rest players against Madrid, his Catalan pride won't allow it.

Fuck that. This is City and even Pep isn't bigger than the club.

We still have no coaching staff to tell him when he's wrong it seems.

 

[Chak19]

Fuck that. This is City and even Pep isn't bigger than the club.

We still have no coaching staff to tell him when he's wrong it seems.

Well it doesn't matter now after the shitshow tonight, he has to go strong against them.

 

[BolinCell]

People didn't know what they had in Sterling and Mahrez, because they were regularly criticised and abused in the match and post match threads.

fooking hell they left years ago.

 

[M Gaudino]

I’ll state upfront that I don’t think Stones and Ake should get new contracts, and Bernardo is going to leave.

That said, Stones was absolutely not the reason for this loss, and was one of the better players tonight, imho. Gonzales was left alone in the middle of midfield, and Leverkeusen were very, very good at playing around him and finding that open player in front of our back four. From there, the CBs were both outnumbered and outrun!

Ake has been a great player, but he is not the profile we need and we should cash in on him in January or the summer. It’s unforgivable that he let his man step in front of him, instead of Ake attacking the ball, and allowing the forward to get the second.

Bernardo has been an absolute standout this season and a key player in some of our best performances. Accordingly, he will move to Benguca (or wherever) with my deepest appreciation.

id only ask you go back and watch the counter attacks from Leverkusen - normally Dias would try and play offside or Gvardiol would be aggressive in going out to meet the player breaking but Stones and Ake just jockey straight back in a line to the goal. by the time the next phase happens they are in shooting range

 

[levets]

Trafford 6/10…. 5/10
Khusanov 5/10 - Not a right back….6/10
Stones 6/10 - Not good or bad….6/10
Ake 4/10 - Finished… 5/10
Ait Nouri 4/10 - Wank…4/10
Nico - 6/10…6/10
Reinders - 2/10 - What does he offer… 3/10
Lewis - 2/10 - See above…2/10
Savinho - 2/10 See Above…2/10
Bobb - 3/10 slightly better…2/10
Marmoush - 4/10 Hung out to dry…4/10

 

[BongoBlue]

Wingers (Doku aside, but only just) produce absolutely nothing in this team

What I wouldn’t give for a Sterling or Mahrez back

Midfielders close to no goal threat either

Where are the goals going to come from if not Erling?

I really miss the likes of Julian Alvarez. Even Ferran Torres and of course Sterling and Mahrez. They all knew where the fucking net was at least. And yes, I know that Raheem could miss absolute sitters but his goal return was fantastic. At least those guys could tide us over when Haaland is out.

 

[johnnytapia]

Plenty of gripes before the game with the build up in stadium.

Three lads in front of me spent the entire game screaming and watching the Chelsea game on their phones.

Lad next to me also watched the Chelsea game on his phone too. Had to take a picture I was that shocked.

Lack of atmosphere due to the clubs stance on ticketing, a few times the players gestured to the crowd to up the noise and it just couldn't happen.

Poor selection all round from Pep, no idea what his thinking was there, but it cost us dearly.

Have to worry about the future of the squad in some instances, long term contracts for Rico Lewis and Savinho who just look way off it at current.

Actually thought Khush and Ait Nouri did look alright, but Marmoush was very disappointing too.

Take the loss on the chin but we lack leaders at the moment.

You took a picture of people taking pictures. Each to their own.

 

[BolinCell]

Club world cup said it for me, when we got knocked out by a Saudi Arabian outfit. A season like last year this year.

 

[Dodge]

I'm trying to remember the last time a starting XI annoyed me as much as tonight, but after googling the 3-0 defeat at Anfield in 2010-11 and also the 4-2 defeat at Southampton in 15-16, those line-ups were far stronger than I remembered and only involved 3-4 changes.

There was also mitigation, because unlike tonight, both Mancini and Pellegrini were facing career-defining Semi Finals in the next game,

Tonight was just fucking stupid and reminiscent of those England friendlies under Sven when he used to make 11 changes and we'd lose to Australia etc

At least give Ait Nouri a chance behind Doku, with Bernardo coming short. Don't just change everyone

Porto 2021 says hi.

 

[better dead than red]

Our CB room needs a rejuvenation but there’s 2 players I'm looking at before I get to Stones.

That's fair. I am simply just not of those who think every good player who has won things here "deserves" to finish their careers at City on their terms.