Man of the match - PSG (a)

[Phil1]

It bothers me in so much as he is one of the greatest players I've ever had the pleasure of watching and to see him virtually non existent in games for us all of a sudden is a real worry.

He wasn't virtually non existent last night. He played an important role in us finishing with 2 away goals. He wasn't virtually non existent on Saturday.
He wasn't anywhere near his best, which in itself is disappointing, but I don't think he was the passenger he's being accused of.

 

[CitizenTID]

Don't see how MoM could be anyone other than Fernandinho. Made the first goal with his intelligence, scored the second and was his usual class self.

In the return leg is the time to play like we did against Kyiv at home, tight and boring if we have to - we left way too much space at the back last night at a lot of times.

 

[Father Paul]

I would like us just once, to try a 3 in midfield ie both Ferns & Yaya or even both Ferns & Delph. Then DeBruyne & Silva with Aguero like Messi & Neymar with Suarez. In theory we then have 7 behind the ball most of the time with a possiblity to quickly make it 9 or 10 but also the option of runners from midfield quickly joining Silva & DeBruyne.

This seems much more natural for all the players to me, than the ststem we constantly use & tbh if Silva can't play in that, I don't see where he can actually play.

Often wonder why we don't try and play like this a bit more. However, not sure how much of a goal threat Spanish Dave offers though and if he would have enough pace to play that role. Sterling/Kev/Kun would probably represent our best front 3.

 

[Father Paul]

He wasn't virtually non existent last night. He played an important role in us finishing with 2 away goals. He wasn't virtually non existent on Saturday.
He wasn't anywhere near his best, which in itself is disappointing, but I don't think he was the passenger he's being accused of.

Have to agree I felt he had a reasonable game. Getting a bit of stick for missing a couple of chances but was a bit unlucky with the header he made a really good run and amazingly this was noticed by Jesus who produced one of his best ever crosses.

 

[citymad]

It was an extremely intense game. We shut their players down, and they did likewise.

It's not difficult to imagine Laurent Blanc telling his players the minute Silva gets the ball I want you to hit him and close him down. Don't give him space. they wont have given any instructions about Fernando and Fernandinho

You can say exactly the same thing about PSG's players. Who for you had a good game? The only player who impressed was Thiago Silva. He was brilliant. He should be. Best defender in the game. If you watch ITV they will tell you the defending was rubbish.

Good post Marvin. Some fans have been playing FIFA too much.

 

[citytill1die84]

Dinho closely followed by Mangala.

 

[Walking on the blue moon]

Have to agree I felt he had a reasonable game. Getting a bit of stick for missing a couple of chances but was a bit unlucky with the header he made a really good run and amazingly this was noticed by Jesus who produced one of his best ever crosses.

It would be difficult not to see Merlin's run when he had been gesturing wildly on the left, but Jesus' cross was simply amazing.:) I think both Navas and Silva played pretty ok today, surely not Motm performance (that would be Dinho for me), but certainly not that poor or non-existent either. It seems Navas tend to have better games in the CL this season. As for Silva, I guess his role changed a bit lately, particularly in the absence of Yaya. This, coupled with his form, means that much of his performance does not fit into past expectations. This morning I had some time to watch the match for a second time and I thought both Silva and Navas played a huge role in retaining and moving forward the ball. Merlin's trademark twists and turns is returning. Let's hope his killer balls are too.

 

[KDBestplayerintheworld]

It's getting darn close between Mangala & De Bruyne ...

 

[laserblue]

Kev for me.

 

[Hart of the Matter]

Kev. Just. Mangala had ibra/cav in his pocket and his pace to catch up in that close Pen was wonderous