PSG post match thread

[bluemoon98]

I have read a couple of comments about something Pellers did on 41mins - what did he do?

41st minute was when we conceded that silly goal. Something to do with that I presume.

 

[TCIB]

We sussed them more than they sussed us i think.

 

[better dead than red]

Elated with the result. To be honest, I did expect them to take this leg of the tie. I'm glad I was wrong.

Kev is a cracking young player and should only get better. He'll prove himself to be far more valuable than what we paid for him. The lad has a chance to become a City legend. I hope he stays here a good long time.

 

[BluessinceHydeRoad]

I thought City gave a very professional, disciplined performance against a very good PSG team. Our two full backs played well throughout and both Mangala and Ottamendi had very good games. Then I read the papers this morning and found not one report based on what the reporter had actually seen but reports by the score based on the peevish comments the curled lip one from Stretford and his vitriolic, Irish ex-team mate. All we had actually been treated to was comical, not to say slapstick defending, which reassured the Independent's Jim White because it showed that the two teams involved in El Cashico couldn't buy a decent defender between them for all theor Arab petro dollars and because neither can possibly win the competition. Fernando will no doubt lead out both teams at the Etihad in City's new strip of enormous boots, long baggy trousers and bright red noses.

One might be forgiven for thinking the defenders would have a very comfortable night when PSG put out a front three of Di Maria, Cavani and some Swedish guy, to face City's powder puff three of Silva, de Bruyne and that little Argentine bloke. Those six have never made a defender struggle in their lives! But, yet again, we see that City, and PSG, are viewed through completely different eyes to the more stablished CL teams, even those who fell by the wayside long before the last eight. What I have noticed over the years, certainly since 2008, is that no team defends in the way they used to. To win anything anywhere now you have to win matches - draws are no good - and to do that you have to score goals; just look at the strikers the best teams have! But you have to have full backs who belie the name of their position, who rampage down the flanks overlapping and undertaking. Your central defenders are really ball playing, deep lying midfielders who launch attacks but rely on cover from other not quite so deep lying midfielders. When you go forward you go forward as a unit.

The trouble is that if you give the ball away soon after transition you have to re-transition before three hugely talented superstars can make you pay. This is what happened last night; Matuidi's brush with Mangala, Ibrahimovici's one on one with Joe, KdB's goal and then Ferna's all resulted from changes in possession due to pressing or misplaced passes in midfield and quick, direct play from top quality players. This is why Guardiola considers losing possession as a more heinous crime than high treason. Yet it happens to Bayern, Real and to Barcelona. The defending of all these teams is, at times "scrambling", "last ditch" and "untidy" though our media never describes their defending as "comical" for some reason. I point out here that I remember very well the loud guffaws in our house at the defending of a certain Roy Keane as he put through his own goal in the tie with Real in 2000, which meant United needed two . Think of the mess Kun made of both Munich CDs last season at the Etihad, or Messi' dumpinh Boateng on his pants in the semi. Ramos and Pepe? It's the quality of the forwards which is hard to believe, not the weakness of the defenders.

As I have said many times before, any team which has Joe at one end to keep them out and Kun at the other to bang them in has to have a chance in any game. If you can put Vinnie, Ferna, Ya Ya, Merlin and KdB between them your chances only get better.

 

[citymad]

Brilliant post BHR. "curled lip one" haha

 

[Utter bobbins]

I thought City gave a very professional, disciplined performance against a very good PSG team. Our two full backs played well throughout and both Mangala and Ottamendi had very good games. Then I read the papers this morning and found not one report based on what the reporter had actually seen but reports by the score based on the peevish comments the curled lip one from Stretford and his vitriolic, Irish ex-team mate. All we had actually been treated to was comical, not to say slapstick defending, which reassured the Independent's Jim White because it showed that the two teams involved in El Cashico couldn't buy a decent defender between them for all theor Arab petro dollars and because neither can possibly win the competition. Fernando will no doubt lead out both teams at the Etihad in City's new strip of enormous boots, long baggy trousers and bright red noses.

One might be forgiven for thinking the defenders would have a very comfortable night when PSG put out a front three of Di Maria, Cavani and some Swedish guy, to face City's powder puff three of Silva, de Bruyne and that little Argentine bloke. Those six have never made a defender struggle in their lives! But, yet again, we see that City, and PSG, are viewed through completely different eyes to the more stablished CL teams, even those who fell by the wayside long before the last eight. What I have noticed over the years, certainly since 2008, is that no team defends in the way they used to. To win anything anywhere now you have to win matches - draws are no good - and to do that you have to score goals; just look at the strikers the best teams have! But you have to have full backs who belie the name of their position, who rampage down the flanks overlapping and undertaking. Your central defenders are really ball playing, deep lying midfielders who launch attacks but rely on cover from other not quite so deep lying midfielders. When you go forward you go forward as a unit.

The trouble is that if you give the ball away soon after transition you have to re-transition before three hugely talented superstars can make you pay. This is what happened last night; Matuidi's brush with Mangala, Ibrahimovici's one on one with Joe, KdB's goal and then Ferna's all resulted from changes in possession due to pressing or misplaced passes in midfield and quick, direct play from top quality players. This is why Guardiola considers losing possession as a more heinous crime than high treason. Yet it happens to Bayern, Real and to Barcelona. The defending of all these teams is, at times "scrambling", "last ditch" and "untidy" though our media never describes their defending as "comical" for some reason. I point out here that I remember very well the loud guffaws in our house at the defending of a certain Roy Keane as he put through his own goal in the tie with Real in 2000, which meant United needed two . Think of the mess Kun made of both Munich CDs last season at the Etihad, or Messi' dumpinh Boateng on his pants in the semi. Ramos and Pepe? It's the quality of the forwards which is hard to believe, not the weakness of the defenders.

As I have said many times before, any team which has Joe at one end to keep them out and Kun at the other to bang them in has to have a chance in any game. If you can put Vinnie, Ferna, Ya Ya, Merlin and KdB between them your chances only get better.

Spot on

 

[SkyBlueTX]

Good result really. 2 aways goals in the bag and bringing them back to the Etihad where we are Fortress.

Couldn't really ask for much better.

Did it hurt when they defrosted you from a cryogenic state?

 

[George Hannah]

I thought City gave a very professional, disciplined performance against a very good PSG team. Our two full backs played well throughout and both Mangala and Ottamendi had very good games. Then I read the papers this morning and found not one report based on what the reporter had actually seen but reports by the score based on the peevish comments the curled lip one from Stretford and his vitriolic, Irish ex-team mate. All we had actually been treated to was comical, not to say slapstick defending, which reassured the Independent's Jim White because it showed that the two teams involved in El Cashico couldn't buy a decent defender between them for all theor Arab petro dollars and because neither can possibly win the competition. Fernando will no doubt lead out both teams at the Etihad in City's new strip of enormous boots, long baggy trousers and bright red noses.

One might be forgiven for thinking the defenders would have a very comfortable night when PSG put out a front three of Di Maria, Cavani and some Swedish guy, to face City's powder puff three of Silva, de Bruyne and that little Argentine bloke. Those six have never made a defender struggle in their lives! But, yet again, we see that City, and PSG, are viewed through completely different eyes to the more stablished CL teams, even those who fell by the wayside long before the last eight. What I have noticed over the years, certainly since 2008, is that no team defends in the way they used to. To win anything anywhere now you have to win matches - draws are no good - and to do that you have to score goals; just look at the strikers the best teams have! But you have to have full backs who belie the name of their position, who rampage down the flanks overlapping and undertaking. Your central defenders are really ball playing, deep lying midfielders who launch attacks but rely on cover from other not quite so deep lying midfielders. When you go forward you go forward as a unit.

The trouble is that if you give the ball away soon after transition you have to re-transition before three hugely talented superstars can make you pay. This is what happened last night; Matuidi's brush with Mangala, Ibrahimovici's one on one with Joe, KdB's goal and then Ferna's all resulted from changes in possession due to pressing or misplaced passes in midfield and quick, direct play from top quality players. This is why Guardiola considers losing possession as a more heinous crime than high treason. Yet it happens to Bayern, Real and to Barcelona. The defending of all these teams is, at times "scrambling", "last ditch" and "untidy" though our media never describes their defending as "comical" for some reason. I point out here that I remember very well the loud guffaws in our house at the defending of a certain Roy Keane as he put through his own goal in the tie with Real in 2000, which meant United needed two . Think of the mess Kun made of both Munich CDs last season at the Etihad, or Messi' dumpinh Boateng on his pants in the semi. Ramos and Pepe? It's the quality of the forwards which is hard to believe, not the weakness of the defenders.

As I have said many times before, any team which has Joe at one end to keep them out and Kun at the other to bang them in has to have a chance in any game. If you can put Vinnie, Ferna, Ya Ya, Merlin and KdB between them your chances only get better.

Thank you BSHR, your are the BM poster of record.

 

[Mr HJ]

I thought City gave a very professional, disciplined performance against a very good PSG team. Our two full backs played well throughout and both Mangala and Ottamendi had very good games. Then I read the papers this morning and found not one report based on what the reporter had actually seen but reports by the score based on the peevish comments the curled lip one from Stretford and his vitriolic, Irish ex-team mate. All we had actually been treated to was comical, not to say slapstick defending, which reassured the Independent's Jim White because it showed that the two teams involved in El Cashico couldn't buy a decent defender between them for all theor Arab petro dollars and because neither can possibly win the competition. Fernando will no doubt lead out both teams at the Etihad in City's new strip of enormous boots, long baggy trousers and bright red noses.

One might be forgiven for thinking the defenders would have a very comfortable night when PSG put out a front three of Di Maria, Cavani and some Swedish guy, to face City's powder puff three of Silva, de Bruyne and that little Argentine bloke. Those six have never made a defender struggle in their lives! But, yet again, we see that City, and PSG, are viewed through completely different eyes to the more stablished CL teams, even those who fell by the wayside long before the last eight. What I have noticed over the years, certainly since 2008, is that no team defends in the way they used to. To win anything anywhere now you have to win matches - draws are no good - and to do that you have to score goals; just look at the strikers the best teams have! But you have to have full backs who belie the name of their position, who rampage down the flanks overlapping and undertaking. Your central defenders are really ball playing, deep lying midfielders who launch attacks but rely on cover from other not quite so deep lying midfielders. When you go forward you go forward as a unit.

The trouble is that if you give the ball away soon after transition you have to re-transition before three hugely talented superstars can make you pay. This is what happened last night; Matuidi's brush with Mangala, Ibrahimovici's one on one with Joe, KdB's goal and then Ferna's all resulted from changes in possession due to pressing or misplaced passes in midfield and quick, direct play from top quality players. This is why Guardiola considers losing possession as a more heinous crime than high treason. Yet it happens to Bayern, Real and to Barcelona. The defending of all these teams is, at times "scrambling", "last ditch" and "untidy" though our media never describes their defending as "comical" for some reason. I point out here that I remember very well the loud guffaws in our house at the defending of a certain Roy Keane as he put through his own goal in the tie with Real in 2000, which meant United needed two . Think of the mess Kun made of both Munich CDs last season at the Etihad, or Messi' dumpinh Boateng on his pants in the semi. Ramos and Pepe? It's the quality of the forwards which is hard to believe, not the weakness of the defenders.

As I have said many times before, any team which has Joe at one end to keep them out and Kun at the other to bang them in has to have a chance in any game. If you can put Vinnie, Ferna, Ya Ya, Merlin and KdB between them your chances only get better.

Excellent post although I do think Otamendi has a major flaw in his game - he likes to dive in - usually going to ground too easily - leaving gaping holes behind when he fails to get the ball. Other than that I was pretty pleased with the game. Would love it if we progress as it would be funny to watch the media have to admit we actually have done well! Love the fact that BT think having a Frenchman, Liverpudlian and a Rag gives a balanced view.

 

[Dax777]

As it stands it is PSG that has to attack. So City can play the same game as last night with focus on counterattack.

True. I'm hopeful.

 

[Dax777]

It's not all gloom and doom! Champions league history suggests that, when drawing 2-2 away in the first leg, you go through 80% of the time.

Well, that's a positive. I'm hopeful. :)

 

[mancity1]

Excellent result given what transpired over 94 minutes.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Very good for large spells last night and very naive at times! We need vinny to replace otamendi for the 2nd leg and yaya in the middle to keep the ball better! To all those saying we need a new left back get real clichy has been diffrent gravy last 5 or 6 games and there is not much better out there when he plays to that level. Man of match for me closely followed by Fernando yes Fernando!

 

[KDBestplayerintheworld]

Very sorry but I really can't agree with disciplined, well-organized defending. It was shambolic at both ends. Otamendi was disastrous, he runs around like a headless chicken. If it wasn't for the inexplicable one-on-one miss by Ibrahimovic in the first half, it would've been severely punished.

Mangala did very well on a personal level and with some good tactical & positional guidance (Vinny!) I'm sure he could become a great CB. For Otamendi I have no hope.

Let's face it, if PSG would've been their normal efficient selves, City would've been 2-0 down halfway the first half perhaps even with ten man. I think a lot of referees would've given that first penalty shout and a red card on top of it. There's arguments in favor and against, but PSG had a very strong case there in my view (a lot stronger than the actual penalty they got).

Clichy was not good either. Stupidest of yellow cards by the sideline, totally uncalled for. Also lost posession without being under threat a fair number of times. I thought Sagna did a lot better at the other end, but just like Clichy played way too far from the PSG winger. Every time their wing backes moved forward in the second half there was no City player even close to them, they could freely control the ball, run forward a bit more, pick out their best foot and swing in a lovely cross for Ibra, Cavani and the others.

So organizationally, positionally, tactically, City defense was all over the place. Strong guidance required.

Apart from that City fought hard, looked good going forward and deserved the result. But it could've been a totally different story with Ibra in his normal form.

Sorry to disagree guys.

 

[Vienna_70]

I said borderline awful. Not quite awful, but worse than bad. Kept them fairly quiet and had chances is a political spin on a game where we could have been 2 down after 15 minutes had Ibrahimovic had have been awake - possibly could have even been a man down if the ref saw the Mangala - Matuidi challenge differently. On top of that, we spent large portions of the game hanging on only for them to run out of steam around the 75th minute. We finished quite well, but i still think our quality was very poor all night.

Clichy, Silva, Aguero, Navas, Otamendi were awful. Sagna gave a penalty away, Mangala probably could have been sent off, Fernando made one of the worst kind of errors you will see. Fernandinho and Hart were both poor for their second. Quality wise, we were terrible, nowhere near as good as we can be.

That's what I like to see on Bluemoon: a really positive post.

For fuck's sake, just enjoy the result, look forward to the second leg and get behind the team, instead of moaning about/at it!

 

[Vienna_70]

Given ourselves a great chance! Couldn't ask for any better. Wolfsburg in the semis anyone??!

There's not a cat in hell's chance that will happen.

If the four teams with the advantage all progress, it's as sure as eggs are eggs Bayern and Barça will be kept apart.

 

[KDBestplayerintheworld]

I wouldn't be overly excited to get Wolfsburg in the semis actually, they truly are a good side. Their quick counter attacks will definitely hurt City defense alot. Impossible to keep a clean sheet, and scoring against them unfortunately turns out not to be so easy either ... solid team.

Then again, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich ... aren't that simple either :D

Not to be negative, but I really think semis is the maximum for City atm. Could change as of next year under Pep if he sorts out the organization and brings in some extra worldclass quality players.

 

[Vienna_70]

Seems to me that a fair few seem to think that if we are not at our free following best then we are awful. Tonight was a generally ok performance bar a couple of individual mistakes. An individual mistake here or there does not add up to a terrible team display. We were not at our best but we were good and the game could have gone either way. Onwards and upwards.

Well said, Herman.

Perhaps we weren't at our best because we were playing one of the best teams in Europe.

Just a thought, like.

 

[Chippy_boy]

To all those saying we need a new left back get real clichy has been diffrent gravy last 5 or 6 games and there is not much better out there when he plays to that level. Man of match for me...

Really? I think he's dross and had a very mixed game, giving the ball away in dangerous areas several times in the 2nd half, that put us in all sorts of trouble. He can defend a bit better than Kolarov, but that's not saying much and going forward, he's woeful. He'd be very near if not at the the top of my list to be shown the door come the summer.

 

[KDBestplayerintheworld]

Perhaps we weren't at our best because we were playing one of the best teams in Europe.

I don't think City were awful, just the defensive organization (or lack thereof). Midfield pretty good, I can even forgive Nando's poor mistake. Fernandinho really good. Attack mediocre, Sergio was pretty absent all night, Silva wasn't at his sharpest either, KdB when on the ball always a threat but still far from fully fit imv, Navas better than usual.