Lyon CL QF Post-Match Thread

[bluetonium]

After a (poor) night's sleep hopefully I'm able to reflect on last night with a touch more reason.

Clearly I'm disappointed with the result, but after hearing Pep talk about showing our personality in games so much, it's hard also to not be disappointed with the tactics. We should have learned from the arsenal game and not played to nullify them, rather to show our best abilities. Easy to say with hindsight, but Foden would have been a different problem for Lyon, for example, and in that first half we just were not us. Far too often we had an extra player in our back line and this encourages us to pass sideways far too much, and although Walker is a great offensive option, he and to a less extent Cancelo just can't be expected to do much when receiving the ball with their back to goal.

That said, I'd encourage fellow city fans to not get too upset. Despite everything the game swung due to two big moment's, Raz missing that chance and of course a very questionable VAR decision. If either goes our way, very different game as we were well on top.

There'll be the usual inquest, pointed fingers and digs from the media etc, over the next few days. Let them. It's been a shocking year and a painful restart to the season to endure. I'm glad it's over in a way. Sure I'd have loved us to lift this one for the players, but I like most City fans couldn't give two turds about UEFA's bent little competitions.

Recognise we need to win it at some point to take the club on, but I just can't get overly excited about a competition where they fine you more for being late onto the pitch than for abusing a black player racially, pay out winnings to teams who are of 'historical importance' even if they aren't even in the competition that year, and prioritise sponsors above fans. Had more fun winning the league cup.

 

[Goater=Legend]

I would like to reiterate what some other poster had commented earlier about the change in how football is played now a days. Breathtaking pace with physicality all around the pitch. We were undone by all teams that possess such players and setup to neutralise our passing game.

Football never waited for Jose. Is it getting away from Pep as well ?

They were all on the bench which is unforgivable

 

[Bill Walker]

Far to slow, we have two players with genuine pace and one of them is a right back. We play far to high with the pace we have. Not replacing Sane was a huge mistake.

A poor shot stopper in net. 95% of "one on ones" go in.

Thankfully we didn't have to face Bayern as they'd have had a field day with this defence.

Starting to worry why Pep can't see the lack of pace is a major factor with the way we play and the way we get beat!

Great with the ball, terrible without it.

Ask yourself which of our defensive players suit our high line tactics? one, Kyle. The rest are great players, but are to slow when we lose the ball. If we face one or two speed merchants we are in for a tough game.

My fears are we have been found out.

I just feel if we'd used some of our 4 top class attacking midfielders sat on the bench from the off, and played our normal game we'd have won.
WTF was Pep playing at ?
Inexplicable.

 

[Bill Walker]

After a (poor) night's sleep hopefully I'm able to reflect on last night with a touch more reason.

Clearly I'm disappointed with the result, but after hearing Pep talk about showing our personality in games so much, it's hard also to not be disappointed with the tactics. We should have learned from the arsenal game and not played to nullify them, rather to show our best abilities. Easy to say with hindsight, but Foden would have been a different problem for Lyon, for example, and in that first half we just were not us. Far too often we had an extra player in our back line and this encourages us to pass sideways far too much, and although Walker is a great offensive option, he and to a less extent Cancelo just can't be expected to do much when receiving the ball with their back to goal.

That said, I'd encourage fellow city fans to not get too upset. Despite everything the game swung due to two big moment's, Raz missing that chance and of course a very questionable VAR decision. If either goes our way, very different game as we were well on top.

There'll be the usual inquest, pointed fingers and digs from the media etc, over the next few days. Let them. It's been a shocking year and a painful restart to the season to endure. I'm glad it's over in a way. Sure I'd have loved us to lift this one for the players, but I like most City fans couldn't give two turds about UEFA's bent little competitions.

Recognise we need to win it at some point to take the club on, but I just can't get overly excited about a competition where they fine you more for being late onto the pitch than for abusing a black player racially, pay out winnings to teams who are of 'historical importance' even if they aren't even in the competition that year, and prioritise sponsors above fans. Had more fun winning the league cup.

Don't agree mate.
Absolutely shit team selection, they were deserved winners imo.
I love the guy but Pep blew it big time.
Walker on the right wing wtf ?
3 defensive midfielders ?

 

[mjkismgs]

Why is it you come across as a dipper gloating?

Because that's a fantasy in your deranged imagination.

 

[Keeper!]

We set up as if we were playing the best side in the world and were terrified about getting over run, we played Lyon ffs.
Seeing that selection, the Lyon players would have loved it and thought " they're scared of us".
Pep has a mental issue with the CL and someone close to him should have the balls to tell him

Lyon must have thought Christmas had come early when they looked at that team sheet.

It made their manager's team talk very easy.

 

[Keeper!]

After a (poor) night's sleep hopefully I'm able to reflect on last night with a touch more reason.

Clearly I'm disappointed with the result, but after hearing Pep talk about showing our personality in games so much, it's hard also to not be disappointed with the tactics. We should have learned from the arsenal game and not played to nullify them, rather to show our best abilities. Easy to say with hindsight, but Foden would have been a different problem for Lyon, for example, and in that first half we just were not us. Far too often we had an extra player in our back line and this encourages us to pass sideways far too much, and although Walker is a great offensive option, he and to a less extent Cancelo just can't be expected to do much when receiving the ball with their back to goal.

That said, I'd encourage fellow city fans to not get too upset. Despite everything the game swung due to two big moment's, Raz missing that chance and of course a very questionable VAR decision. If either goes our way, very different game as we were well on top.

There'll be the usual inquest, pointed fingers and digs from the media etc, over the next few days. Let them. It's been a shocking year and a painful restart to the season to endure. I'm glad it's over in a way. Sure I'd have loved us to lift this one for the players, but I like most City fans couldn't give two turds about UEFA's bent little competitions.

Recognise we need to win it at some point to take the club on, but I just can't get overly excited about a competition where they fine you more for being late onto the pitch than for abusing a black player racially, pay out winnings to teams who are of 'historical importance' even if they aren't even in the competition that year, and prioritise sponsors above fans. Had more fun winning the league cup.

The team represents the personality of it's manager, all teams do.

Our team is no different, incredible to the point of extreme, breathtaking yet very delicate and flawed , have enormous self doubt for no reason whatsoever.

Remember Pep's Barca team that destroyed the RAGs at wembley in the Champs League final? I do, the greatest team performance I have seen from a dometic side, breathtaking.
Where has the coach who produced that side gone? He is unrecognisable from that coach on that night in terms of the Champions League, the same mistakes he made with Bayern and now even greater with us.

In my opinion Messi apart we have a team almost the same as that great Barca team in terms of talents, but we have a team in the Champions League that is sent to the pitch with fear.

Big decisions ahead, and for certain "the greatest coach: in the world is no longer appropriate.

 

[Gray]

When I was growing up playing in this competition was just a dream, that is how far we have come. However our recruitment of players has not been great in recent times, I am hoping that the Ferran Torres signing will prove to be inspired and sincerely hope we do not shell out a huge sum on an ageing central defender. Start getting in players who have pace.

 

[BLUEMATT23]

After a (poor) night's sleep hopefully I'm able to reflect on last night with a touch more reason.

Clearly I'm disappointed with the result, but after hearing Pep talk about showing our personality in games so much, it's hard also to not be disappointed with the tactics. We should have learned from the arsenal game and not played to nullify them, rather to show our best abilities. Easy to say with hindsight, but Foden would have been a different problem for Lyon, for example, and in that first half we just were not us. Far too often we had an extra player in our back line and this encourages us to pass sideways far too much, and although Walker is a great offensive option, he and to a less extent Cancelo just can't be expected to do much when receiving the ball with their back to goal.

That said, I'd encourage fellow city fans to not get too upset. Despite everything the game swung due to two big moment's, Raz missing that chance and of course a very questionable VAR decision. If either goes our way, very different game as we were well on top.

There'll be the usual inquest, pointed fingers and digs from the media etc, over the next few days. Let them. It's been a shocking year and a painful restart to the season to endure. I'm glad it's over in a way. Sure I'd have loved us to lift this one for the players, but I like most City fans couldn't give two turds about UEFA's bent little competitions.

Recognise we need to win it at some point to take the club on, but I just can't get overly excited about a competition where they fine you more for being late onto the pitch than for abusing a black player racially, pay out winnings to teams who are of 'historical importance' even if they aren't even in the competition that year, and prioritise sponsors above fans. Had more fun winning the league cup.

Not get too upset? I'm furious!
An absolutely crazy set up and awful performance!
He picks Garcia who wants out, he picks the slowest midfield in the world and in the 1st half the backline seemed confused as to what there roles were. This led to Lyons 1st goal after which Walker had to speak with Pep.
The man is a fucking clown, over obsessed with the opposition to the extent that he forgets how good we are.
Despite his good domestic record with us we will never ever win the champions league with him.
Post match hes laughing and joking and then says we are not ready to win it!
Not ready? We have the best fucking squad in the world!!!

The biggest incorrect statement In world football is that Pep is a good manager in the champions league, he isn't and is a complete fraud who happened to win 2 post at Barca for 1 reason, he had Messi.
I'm done with the champions league I wont be watching again whilst this man is in charge.
Fuming.

 

[salfordbluetrue]

Because that's a fantasy in your deranged imagination.

That is also something a dipper would do,jump straight in insulting, you have not been kicked off the BBC have you?

 

[Indaparkside]

Some of you are complete wankers calling pep a bald cu nt, fraud clown etc etc you should be ashamed we have seen the best football we have ever seen under this man, I hope he fucks off and we go back to shit boring football like we used to watch you self righteous fuckers do us all a favour and go and cheer the rags on against Seville Calling his tactics is one thing attacking him personally is another call yourself blues fuck off

 

[Rhapsody in Blue]

I would like to reiterate what some other poster had commented earlier about the change in how football is played now a days. Breathtaking pace with physicality all around the pitch. We were undone by all teams that possess such players and setup to neutralise our passing game.

Football never waited for Jose. Is it getting away from Pep as well ?

Interesting you’d say this, mate. The pundits on Swedish television brought up exactly the same thing yesterday and also to an extent after the BM Barca game. With that said, last year Pep won all domestic titles and we saw some of the best football ever played. It doesn’t change in a year. But these types of sides definitely cause us problems but I think it’s more down to the players (Rodri and Gundogan shouldn’t play together and they’re not good enough individually either in front of the defenders) and some complacency. Pep’s tweaking was criminal yesterday though.

If this is the end of Pep’s reign or not, I don’t dare to say, but some fresh blood is definitely needed in the squad and we need to find the new Silvas, Vinnies, Kuns and Dinhos. Transition happens everywhere, it’s how we cope with it that matters.

 

[Great Kompany]

Interesting you’d say this, mate. The pundits on Swedish television brought up exactly the same thing yesterday and also to an extent after the BM Barca game. With that said, last year Pep won all domestic titles and we saw some of the best football ever played. It doesn’t change in a year. But these types of sides definitely cause us problems but I think it’s more down to the players (Rodri and Gundogan shouldn’t play together and they’re not good enough individually either in front of the defenders) and some complacency. Pep’s tweaking was criminal yesterday though.

If this is the end of Pep’s reign or not, I don’t dare to say, but some fresh blood is definitely needed in the squad and we need to find the new Silvas, Vinnies, Kuns and Dinhos. Transition happens everywhere, it’s how we cope with it that matters.

Makes sense.
But I also think Pep system is less forgiving. Because when it works it the best fucking football of all times. But a slight tweak into the system,a VAR clusterfuck , a defensive error and all goes to dust.
The other system is more robust and it may not be as beautiful as Pep's but it is more accomodating for errors. Something we clearly do on a regular basis.

 

[mjkismgs]

That is also something a dipper would do,jump straight in insulting, you have not been kicked off the BBC have you?

You attacked me personally, so I struck back - you started the insults, not me. Let me put it simply: I will have been a City supporter for 50 years come autumn this year, I am a season ticket holder, and I was in Madrid to see us win in February. So don't you dare accuse me.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Many questions can legitimately be raised about last night.
I don’t know if this one has. I haven’t read the entire thread, I felt I was depressed enough.
In the midst of this debacle, a question that is uppermost in my mind: just how far can City/Pep stretch young Phil’s loyalty to his boyhood club?
If I were that lad, I’d be absolutely fuming. He’s been ‘ready’ for fully two seasons. He is, with Kev, our most creative midfielder. What the hell is he supposed to do to get on the pitch?

 

[red 2 hats]

The morning after the night before, I can't get over that shit show, we were horrendous.
For all Peps qualities, how can he keep getting it so wrong in big games, last nights team selection and tactics were just plain daft, he sucked the pace and energy from the team, we played with the slowest midfield imaginable.
Some of the players had absolute stinkers, but the blame lies firmly at the feet of Pep and his assistants.
In picking Garcia, a very average player who openly wants too leave, must be demoralising for the likes of Phil, Bernie, Stones etc, shocking Pep, absolutely shocking, what the fuck were you over thinking.

 

[salfordbluetrue]

Interesting you’d say this, mate. The pundits on Swedish television brought up exactly the same thing yesterday and also to an extent after the BM Barca game. With that said, last year Pep won all domestic titles and we saw some of the best football ever played. It doesn’t change in a year. But these types of sides definitely cause us problems but I think it’s more down to the players (Rodri and Gundogan shouldn’t play together and they’re not good enough individually either in front of the defenders) and some complacency. Pep’s tweaking was criminal yesterday though.

If this is the end of Pep’s reign or not, I don’t dare to say, but some fresh blood is definitely needed in the squad and we need to find the new Silvas, Vinnies, Kuns and Dinhos. Transition happens everywhere, it’s how we cope with it that matters.

As a team we have got slower with age, Sane our fastest player has gone, to all extents Aguero`s and Fernandinho`s legs have as well, we are very different to last year, the ability to play Peps tactics is not there, but he should have seen this and adapted or bought better

 

[Quad]

Some of you are complete wankers calling pep a bald cu nt, fraud clown etc etc you should be ashamed we have seen the best football we have ever seen under this man, I hope he fucks off and we go back to shit boring football like we used to watch you self righteous fuckers do us all a favour and go and cheer the rags on against Seville Calling his tactics is one thing attacking him personally is another call yourself blues fuck off

why in champions league he actually been a complete failure , domestically we have been unbelievable but in 7 years when has he got to a final ? He keeps picking such a slow midfield

 

[Drewmanc]

After 10 minutes it was obvious peps tactics weren't working, why the holy fuck we played KDB on the wing when they played 1 wing back and no other wide players. Mahrez/Bernardo with Walker and Sterling/Cancelo on the other side would have pinned their wing backs back, much like cancelo/sterling did for the majority of games. I'd been saying all day well do fine as long as pep leaves the team and tactics alone but he tinkers yet again. 3 DM's was a huge mistake. 3 at the back was a huge mistake. Pep best be apologising to the team and board for that shambles. I know he wasn't on the pitch but why change a system that wasn't broken after the real win? Only Pep and Lillo know why they did that and I hope they have the decency to front it up and apologise.

 

[Indaparkside]

why in champions league he actually been a complete failure , domestically we have been unbelievable but in 7 years when has he got to a final ? He keeps picking such a slow midfield

Read my post I said if he has got it wrong tactically call him out, but to personally attack him as a human being is wrong it’s something the rags and dippers would do he doesn’t deserve that