Real Madrid (A) | CL | Post Match Thread

[Pingu the Penguin]

I don't think there's a manager in the league who'd have dealt with the injuries we've had this year in an aging squad who have won the lot challenging for third place.

That doesn’t answer my question really. I get what you are saying but systemically and tactically we have been poor this year. And that’s on the gaffer.

 

[RayCTID]

This is not an 'off season' or a 'transition' we've fallen off a cliff. Its not acceptable.

The Balon d'Or winner is recovering from a season ending injury. He is a vital player to how we play. Liverpool won't perform any better without Salah or van Dijk for the whole season either.

 

[Jesus H Gabz]

That was a tough watch. I had no realistic expectation that we would win but I was expecting us to give a better account than we did. I was not sure what Pep was trying to do and the players looked equally confused.

Conceding so early seemed to derail any plan we had. It was a bad goal to give away but Mbappe took it really well as he did his other two goals.

There was a lot to admire about how Real played even if they have a lot of detestable individuals.

What did surprise me was the level of vitriol aimed at Pep and the team in the match thread. It was getting quite nasty and I think Pep and co deserve better. We have seen amazing times under his leadership even if his overthinking has been frustrating and counter-productive at times.

Pep has sacrificed a lot for City including his marriage. He has had battles both on and off the pitch and his dedication has never wavered. He is human and his levels are going to dip at some point.

We would not have won this competition even if we had somehow got past Madrid so I don't really care about going out. Top 5 and the FA Cup are realistic goals for this team particularly as many of the stronger teams have been kocked out of the cup already.

If we can do that and put the 115 charges nonsense behind us then it will have been a good season.

I am excited to see how City develop over the next few seasons. We have signed some very exciting young players so there is alot to look forward to. We just need to sort these injuries out as they have killed us.

Well said!

 

[simon23]

But I’d have preferred a ‘basketball game’ that derives it’s meaning from ‘end to end’, than tonight.
Gunders and Silva, alongside a charitably assessed slow Gonzalez, was wrong from the start. An inverted left back and high line back 2 or 3 seems like baiting the best 3 on the planet - and a free hit to the RM midfield with no pressure.

So you would rather have got beat by more...an interesting approach.....

 

[Crooked_rain]

I loved how Khusanov ran down Vinicius, I didnt realise he was that quick.

His top speed had been clocked at 37kph. Same as Walker's and Van Der Ven's highest speed.

 

[Lee the Blue]

We've got to be realistic about tonight - we went to the Bernabeu without Haaland and Rodri, Stones got injured in the first 5 mins. We had a raw kid centre half playing at right back that we were trying to hide against one of the best players in world footy, and we carried 2 passengers in midfield in Bernie and Gundo both of who's legs have long gone.

It's a miracle we got away with a 3-1 defeat - thankfully we kept our dignity but we just can't play with sides like Madrid at the moment with our holes in central midfield, right back and the injuries we have. Madrid will win that comp again btw - nobody left in the CL can cope with that front 3, and when Valverde moves back into the middle they'll be frightening.

 

[paulchapo]

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to TNT Sports: "After we conceded the goal in the first action we didn't defend well, it was more and more difficult. We have to accept it, the best team won so congratulations to Real Madrid. Now we focus on the Premier League.

"It's a fantastic team, they deserve to go through. We didn't deserve it, it's the first year we didn't make a good Champions League season. We have to accept it and fight for next season to be here again.

"Of course Real Madrid are contenders to win the Champions League now, but there are other good teams around.

 

[Moss Side's Finest]

The Balon d'Or winner is recovering from a season ending injury. He is a vital player to how we play.

One team at our level cannot be this dependant on one player.

 

[RayCTID]

One team at our level cannot be this dependant on one player.

He is still a key player. Doesn't help with the rest of them in decline or having a rare off season.

 

[simon23]

Been thinking that since it would be a shame for KDB not to get a testimonial? (Do they do them anymore?) think it’s after ten years service isn’t it? And next season would be ten years would it not?

We can't afford to have any emotion about it. We don't change that midfield and we will have a similar season to this even with rodri back

 

[Moss Side's Finest]

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola speaking to TNT Sports: "After we conceded the goal in the first action we didn't defend well, it was more and more difficult. We have to accept it, the best team won so congratulations to Real Madrid. Now we focus on the Premier League.

"It's a fantastic team, they deserve to go through. We didn't deserve it, it's the first year we didn't make a good Champions League season. We have to accept it and fight for next season to be here again.

"Of course Real Madrid are contenders to win the Champions League now, but there are other good teams around.

Can't disagree with any of that tbf

 

[Keith Moon]

...it could be worse, we could be Juventus, no shame to go out against Real, but PSV...

 

[East Level 2]

Yes he has a lot of credit in the bank.

I’d much rather have him here next season than enter the market for a new manager.
There aren’t many good ones out there

United and Chelsea have proven as much

But those two clubs are basket cases. We aren't.
The questions isn't whether we should or shouldn't ditch Pep. The question is does Pep want to be in charge of the rebuild, and how many of the current squad does he believe can help in that venture.

 

[glauberbertistossedshirt]

So you would rather have got beat by more...an interesting approach.....

Exactly, at least we went out and kept it down to a very reasonable 6- 3.

 

[paulchapo]

Yeah I was thinking more of the occasion as a send off, celebrating his efforts, in front of the home crowd. I’m sure it would be a bumper crowd. But I suppose they could organise that at any time.

They usually do that in the last home game but with the world cup thing and hopefully a cup final that may not happen.

 

[flb]

Good post but entering the season having 1 striker and a crucial DM position without having appropriate cover doesn’t really suggest good planning does it?

For the reasons I’ve said mate , maybe the club thought Pep was really in two minds. You don’t blow 100’s of millions on new players if you suspect the manager may leave , that’s what United do. He’s commited , and the club is backing him in the transfer market.

 

[Kippax1973]

But those two clubs are basket cases. We aren't.
The questions isn't whether we should or shouldn't ditch Pep. The question is does Pep want to be in charge of the rebuild, and how many of the current squad does he believe can help in that venture.

If Pep came out tomorrow and said ,,right I've just signed a new 10 year contract I'd be happy as Larry,,,,but he ain't doing that he's going to leave soon ,,so he may aswell bow out now

 

[Fordyboy46]

We've got to be realistic about tonight - we went to the Bernabeu without Haaland and Rodri, Stones got injured in the first 5 mins. We had a raw kid centre half playing at right back that we were trying to hide against one of the best players in world footy, and we carried 2 passengers in midfield in Bernie and Gundo both of who's legs have long gone.

It's a miracle we got away with a 3-1 defeat - thankfully we kept our dignity but we just can't play with sides like Madrid at the moment with our holes in central midfield, right back and the injuries we have. Madrid will win that comp again btw - nobody left in the CL can cope with that front 3, and when Valverde moves back into the middle they'll be frightening.

Liverpool will beat them if they draw each other

 

[East Level 2]

The only thing Pep is guilty of is setting the standards so high that some of our cry-arse fan base can't accept an off season.

Can't accept an off season? We had an off season in 2020 when the dippers won the Prem. How many off seasons do we have to cope with?

 

[MeatnSpudsMCFC]

Can’t help but feel that any rebuild that occurs without a change to the way we play is destined to age badly.

You would hope the club can see this isn’t a simple case of changing players and we pick up where we left off. While I don’t think we’re as severe as United I do think their biggest downfall was them being stuck in their Ferguson ways.