Match Thread | Manchester City v. Al Hilal (CWC) 01/07/25

Gray said:
I am there next Wednesday on No.1 court, first ever visit and really looking forward to it.
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Wow oh wow. That’s been on my bucket list for years. Almost made it about 12 years ago but circumstances conspired against me. I’ll never make it now but I wish you the very best day. Give us a wave. I’ll look out for you. *rofl*
 
Doku needed help. He was very good and couldn't do any more but the same thing happened over and over and over. We'd have went better off forgetting about attacking from the right but put another threat on the left.

AitNouri seemed to do it in the first half but faded. Imo Cherki should have been on earlier and he should have been the inside ball option for Doku (with the outside option being to get in a cross).

Pep needs new tactics to go along with the new players. We can't expect the players to repeat the same actions over and over and over without losing heart if it just doesn't work.
 
Eccles Blue said:
Wow oh wow. That’s been on my bucket list for years. Almost made it about 12 years ago but circumstances conspired against me. I’ll never make it now but I wish you the very best day. Give us a wave. I’ll look out for you. *rofl*
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Just rock up and buy a ground ticket. A brilliant day.
 
fathellensbellend said:
Sit deep, a couple of passes, goal, rinse and repeat. Every club does it, it’s not genius it’s obvious. The wide players we have are nowhere near the level we need, I would move both of them on
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WHO else do you suggest ? I give you a Tip there are no better wingers available.
 
TonyM said:
Doku needed help. He was very good and couldn't do any more but the same thing happened over and over and over. We'd have went better off forgetting about attacking from the right but put another threat on the left.

AitNouri seemed to do it in the first half but faded. Imo Cherki should have been on earlier and he should have been the inside ball option for Doku (with the outside option being to get in a cross).

Pep needs new tactics to go along with the new players. We can't expect the players to repeat the same actions over and over and over without losing heart if it just doesn't work.
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You can talk about attacking all day long, but that isn't the problem.
It hasn't been the problem since November
 
Eccles Blue said:
I can’t make the end of my garden without stopping for breath these days so I don’t think I’d make it. :-) But I can definitely enjoy it vicariously through folks like @Gray enjoying themselves. :-)
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My son got me on to entering the ballot a couple of years back. If you are unlucky with that (most are) you get a window when tickets come up for sale. You have to visit the web site on a daily basis from mid March and suddenly up pop available tickets. I just wanted 2 on one of the show courts and will be watching doubles semi-finals.

Forgot to mention that you must have a registered account with Wimbledon.com.
 
Gray said:
My son got me on to entering the ballot a couple of years back. If you are unlucky with that (most are) you get a window when tickets come up for sale. You have to visit the web site on a daily basis from mid March and suddenly up pop available tickets. I just wanted 2 on one of the show courts and will be watching doubles semi-finals.

Forgot to mention that you must have a registered account with Wimbledon.com.
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I did have a registered account, a few years ago and my friend and I did the ballot and the checking. The year she managed to get tickets I had to have an operation and she went with another friend! Such is life. :-)
Then I was always working so didn’t try again.
I have however ordered a Pimms and Strawberry scones Cornish cream tea for today as Ladies Day! Indulging myself. :-) :-)
 
Same old city.
Even after 400 mil spent we still see Akanji and Dias crossing the ball
Pathetic display.
People keep arguing about x player should be starting. It does not matter. Pep will always play his favourites.
I don’t think it matters who we sign. Even if we sign prime Ronaldinho, if they make a run past the halfway line are we passing them the ball ? No.
Nothing changes if nothing changes. Players need to LEAVE.
the main reason every fan was excited for this competition and new season was based around one word - RELIANCE. That we didn’t have to rely on ineffective wingers like Savio x Doku. Cuz Marmoush Foden Cherki we’re gonna save us. We don’t have to rely on the old guard anymore. Gundo Kev Bernardo Kova cuz Rodri is back and Tijanji, Nico G are here. We don’t have to rely on our centre backs providing width. Cuz we’ll get orthodox fullbacks. But look what happens. The same old players still play. The systems don’t make sense for certain players. Why was Nunes who’s been Amazing inverting in the first half ? Why are wingers who aren’t ready forced to cross with their weak foot ? Why doesn’t anyone pass the ball to Tijanj when he makes a run ? Why play centre backs who can’t sprint or jump when Khusonov and Reis are elite at that respectively ?
We still have the same issues. We’re easy to play against. Put 3 guys on Haaland who can’t attack the ball or finish anyway, and defend the wide areas, put a ball over the top and hit the target cuz if you shoot at Ederson it’s basically a goal. You have Bernardo and Ake at the back for the last goal. How does that make sense in 2025 ?
We have to throw another 400 mil to he’s a Saudi team. How shameful. I really thought we turned a corner. Now we’ve wasted all that energy and excitement all for nothing. Chelsea will probably win this and strengthen.

I’m not even fuming. Because i watched these guys gift a FA cup to Crystal Palace. And even if we did draw we wouldn’t survive that shootout. These are the same guys that lost to pens AT HOME infront of their own fans.

So I can’t be arsed.

Hopefully we’re freed from the shackles of players that are simply past it and replaced with ones that are good.

If Marmoush Cherki Foden start or atleast play the entire 2nd half. We possibly walk this game.

never ever seen a manager who willingly refuses to play his best 11 in important games. A must win. KO game. How are you still relying on Bernardo, Gundo, Akanji, Ake, Dias, Ederson. As in the best player in each position that fits the system that gets the best out of every player.


This game is on the Pep for his weird lineup, subs and system. The players have to be blamed too, horrid finishing yet again, should’ve score 6 goals minimum, despicable defence line.

Cherki instant impact is more evidence into why Pep is to blame for this result.


This game made me think that these wingers are simply not effective. The word literally means, “successful in achieved the desired result” which is to product output and win games. Idc how old Savio is, if he needs to learn to be Mahrez used to be then send him out to a team that isn’t pressured to win anything. These guys are impact subs at best.

What made me sad was watching Koulibaly. At his age he’s still head and shoulders above ours. What makes me mad, Dias used to play like this. What you Saw Koulibaly do today is what he used to do on the regular. Win balls in the air, had this 6th sense for defending, he could score, he was super aggressive and mobile. He looks like he’s got weights on his ankles. He gets out jumped. Had the 2nd worst aerial duel win percentage in the EPL, he’s slower than slow. Every ball behind the defence causes mini heart attacks cuz we don’t know if he’ll get there in time.

Look at how stressed the bench was when Rodri came off at the 100th min. They know if he’s out we’re screwed.

Today was 24/25 in a nutshell. I thought we left games like that behind.

Serious questions need to be asked of this teams defensively and most importantly off the ball.
A midfielder with legs, but still useful in attack
A lockdown defender
A capable GK who can bail us out
 
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