QF 1st Leg Post Match Thread

[Marvin]

Yeah, it's a fine line between success and failure. I still fancy our chances though, 1-0 is not as severe as 3-0, where we up against it from the off, and just one away goal was always going to kill us.

We're going to have to score 3 to win this I feel. I can see City scoring first, then all hell breaks loose but they score even at 2-1 and we're in trouble. I can't believe that Pep of all coaches was so timid.

 

[Father Paul]

Last night wasn't best team selection or performance but we are only one down and have 90 min at home to turn it around.

I think the more worrying thing is that for a few weeks now we have been struggling, especially with scoring goals. It appears we are hitting a bit of a bad patch performance wise at just the wrong time

I know a lot of people are saying that against Fulham Cardiff and Brighton we were playing within ourselves conserving energy,, but it may be we are just struggling at the moment, and that is a big worry with the matches coming up

Fully agree our form is average at best. We need to up it significantly over the next four games or the 18th of May might be the only meaningful date left in our diary.

 

[HarrytheBlue]

Pep has influenced the style of play down the divisions. He’s a genius. I think his Barca team, if robbed by injury of its leading lights, would have better dealt with last night. So yes, needs to strengthen/succession plan.

 

[HarrytheBlue]

Fully agree our form is average at best. We need to up it significantly over the next four games or the 18th of May might be the only meaningful date left in our diary.

For about 90 per cent of our Prem games we’ve zipped the ball round areas of the pitch rapidly. No team can live with it. We slow it down and the opposition sense that the game’s opening up for ‘em.

 

[Deleted member 81382]

Start like we did in that second leg against Liverpool and we can turn it around.

 

[HarrytheBlue]

Why didn’t Stones play last night ?

 

[Father Paul]

A very tense night that ended badly for us after looking pretty solid for 80 minutes.
Like most i was concerned when the line ups came out, rarely do we go 'defensive', and the lack of Sane and The Prince was a bit baffling. Surely Pep had other reasons not to start them that we don't know about. However with Laporte, Otamendi and Delph all looking strong the only concern at the back was Walker and his determination to 'lose it' and get his marching orders.
Sergio cut a lonely figure up front and had no help at all from a very poor Mahrez, who's predictability was easy to defend against.
At half time they were there for the taking and i was hoping for a left field substitution, starting the 2nd half with Leroy and Kev but it would be another 40 minutes before they were unleashed. Too little to late.
An away goal would've been nice but at one nil the second leg, and qualification, is not unattainable.

The failure to score away goals is often terminal in this competition but Spurs are the type of team we can get 4 or 5 against if we get a few breaks. Personally I expect a high scoring game next week and we may need at least 3 goals to win the tie. Sticking my neck out I go 4-2 City a bit like the Monaco game a while back.

 

[Marvin]

I don't think Pep did a whole lot wrong to be honest, regarding team selection and tactics. He had an eye on the Palace game, and the 2nd leg, and wanted to play his cards right with a view on those. Plus I don't think he wanted to make the same mistakes as were made against Liverpool last year, and went for a more pragmatic approach. I thought we were alright overall, but the penalty miss was costly, and a lapse at the back were decisive. If we got a draw, it would have been a decent away result.

With those games in mind, we needed the win.

 

[HarrytheBlue]

we are still in the tie. We played a champions league quarter final missing KDB, Bernardo, Stones, and a left full back. Aguero(always takes time to come back) and Silva were massively out of form. And we are still in the tie.

Spurs do not know how to play any other way than with a high press. They will not come to the Etihad and sit back on a one nil lead. With our full team, at the Etihad, we score at will against that Spurs team.

I admire your optimism. If only football was as straightforward as that.

 

[Sky Blue]

We know what was in his mind. His past caught up with us, and we paid the price for him losing his nerve.

No manager is perfect. I just hope we get away with it.

I would be very very embarrassed if I were him next time I appeared in front of the press. In a Champions League tie when you are the favourites and clearly the better side, you exploit that and do not cower before the game. Bottled it Pep. Good job you have a lot of credit in the bank.

Ridiculous over the top post.