Sorry pal, I know I deleted most of what was a good post but that statement above is just wrong. Pep is the greatest manager in the premier league era and he has created and managed the greatest team in the premier league era and anyone who says different is blind, a rag or both.Pep lacking some decision making at this level.
His record in the Champions League since Barcelona is not great.Sorry pal, I know I deleted most of what was a good post but that statement above is just wrong. Pep is the greatest manager in the premier league era and he has created and managed the greatest team in the premier league era and anyone who says different is blind, a rag or both.
So the party line goes.Pep playing the long game. The rotation was needed and this was the only game in the coming weeks we could afford to lose by a small margin.
I have no loyalty to his position, when he was foisting the hopeless Bravo on us I was hurling abuse at him but here he's bang right. Firstyly we can't expect to steamroller teams away from home in the CLQF man, we edged a narrow league game at their place so why should we think we can just roll up to their new ground and batter them. What's best for the team is to use the squad we have to try to maximize our chances in all three remaining comps and that's what he did last night.
What? Because he has not won this (and let’s be honest here) corrupt knockout competition that makes for not a great record? What he had done with Bayern and us has been revolutionary, he is playing a different game on a different level to everyone else. The only reasons he has not won it since are Messi, Ronaldo and a little bad luck in the key moments. Pep is a genius and I do not say that lightly.His record in the Champions League since Barcelona is not great.
I think the Monaco game probably brought about a seismic change in his thinking but at Anfield last year we were having such an amazing season up to that point he may have decided we didn't need to be cautiousI did wonder if he was also trying to establish a more pragmatic style of of play in away CL games against the better teams Clearly its quite possible that we could have travelled to Spurs and steamrolled them , but if we'd then tried to repeat that at say Juventus we might end up with a similar result as at anfield.
This was the first leg. Better to go full throttle in the second.But I thought the game management against Cardiff, Fulham and Brighton was to enable us to play our normal game against Spurs - our biggest game for twelve months. My thinking is that we would pick the games to go full throttle - this being one of 'em.
I think the Monaco game probably brought about a seismic change in his thinking but at Anfield last year we were having such an amazing season up to that point he may have decided we didn't need to be cautious
This overreaction is embarrassing. We weren’t great at all yesterday but, out of all the games we have remaining, this was the game we could realistically lose and still have a chance at all four comps. Obviously losings never fun and I’m not suggesting we’re better off for it but sometimes you have to plan for damage limitation. If Kev and Sane played and we wiped the floor with Spurs but they took a knock and missed Palace, The same knee-jerkers today would be crying about that.
Pep will want an early lead (hopefully a 3 goal one). Pochettino will sit deep, no doubt about that, and look to hit on the break. As long as the key moments don’t run against us (as they invariably do at this stage of this f@@king competition) we will be ok.Be interesting to see how Spurs approach the second leg. I'd imagine they'll sit back and try and frustrate us and go on the break. We'll have to be on our game and the crowd need to be really up for this as much as the Liverpool game. We are City, we'll fight to the end! Danilo and Stones for the second leg please Pep!
They were there for the taking with the team selected. If Kun slotted the pen, this thread would be quietGot back home at 3 am can’t understand the selection for a quarter final ?? The most disappointing thing is they were there for the taking last night an opportunity not taken. Oh well great following as usual!! Never slag the team so let’s move on it’s only half time,let’s finish the job at home.ctid
They were there for the taking with the team selected. If Kun slotted the pen, this thread would be quiet
Even if we beat them, I still think he got it wrong
He has bottled it. I haven't read a single logical explanation for his tactics. I know what we was trying to do, but it doesn't make sense. If your opponent is weaker, you open the game up with De Bruyne and Sane. No he has created a situation now where SPurs need one goal to KO us from the quadruple and you're being selfish by letting someone else ask the questions you should all be asking.
A sensible postRidiculous over-reaction of negativity on this thread last night. I looked at a couple of pages and shut down my computer.
I'm not happy clapping, so don't bother. We could have been better, and I agree that Pep's selection was decidedly odd. I would now frankly always choose Sané and Sterling over Mahrez in games of this sort. And can't Danilo play on the left side at full back?
But broadly, we controlled the game. It is as Pep said. You've got to give some credit to that Son lad for simply refusing to allow the ball to die. He's had a fine season for them (I also agree that Kane being out is not necessarily an advantage for us, incidentally). Other than their actual goal, Eddie was very comfortable with everything he had to deal with. Also credit to Spurs for closing down the lines through the middle of the pitch and not letting us play our attacking game. It's never just “We played shit”. The other team doesn't allow you to play. They looked totally up for it, as you would expect. Second game in their new stadium, first European night.
There's all to play for. The Etihad must be rocking in a week's time, please (sorry, I can't be there. I have work on Wednesdays so I cannot, for the minute, ever fly over for midweek matches. Retirement only three months away, though, so…). Predicted score — 3-1.
No dominos have fallen. It’s over 2 legs, and I believe that at our place we will put Spurs to the sword, breaking them, and fucking them up for the league game.The biggest game is the one immediately in front of you and now we are in a situation where one domino has fallen.
I know what you are saying but Spurs was the tougher game, and it was on a Tuesday. Sane was well rested. SO was KDB. There's no justification at all for not playing them.