Real Madrid (A) | CL | Post Match Thread

[SamTheGuru]

Can I just say, Valverde is one hell of a player. I despise Real Madrid but he has always been a player I've admired. Will play anywhere and work his arse off for the team and the technique and skill he showed tonight for his goals were superb. Plus he was back defending whenever he was needed as well. Ultimately the difference between the two teams tonight.

Courtois has been the one stalwart for me.

 

[cleavers]

Lol crosses were nowhere near him lol.

They were perfect for a striker on form.

In fact had Nico OR not been at FB tonight, I reckon he'd have scored 1 or 2 of them. If we'd gone in front I think the collapse would have been theirs not ours.

 

[Franny 1234]

Lol crosses were nowhere near him lol.

Isn't the striker meant to run towards goals in the hope of getting on the end of a cross.

 

[the-ecstacy-of-eight]

I'm disappointed in this seasons Haaland the most. Doesn't seem strong or quick.

2 goals in 11 from open play is it? Something like that.

He's supposed to be elite level and yet he's been poor since around Oct.

Really disappointed.

Nobody even looks let alone tries to play him in any more. No balls on the deck for him to run onto. Ever.

He gets annoyed that he's not being looked for. He switches off and gets moody. After a while he doesn't make the run because, well, what's the point. And then he's got three defenders all giving him a dig.

Pep said last week, words to the effect of "if you've got Messi you don't sling crosses in, if you've got Haaland you do, because he'll score from them", now where were all those crosses tonight?

We don't play to his strengths, we actually play to his weaknesses, and then people moan that they're disappointed in "him".

Just my take on it.

 

[SamTheGuru]

Isn't the striker meant to run towards goals in the hope of getting on the end of a cross.

There is a little bit more complexity than that but why not turn a 40+ goal a season striker into a a deep dropping forward looking for the ball?

 

[chaddblue]

Lol crosses were nowhere near him lol.

They’re exactly the type of crosses he swallowed up time after time 2 or 3 seasons ago

I think the problem is obvious

He’s clocked off for the World Cup. He’s saving his energy and avoiding putting himself into situations where he could injure himself

Watch him play like a man possessed in Norway’s first match

 

[wolviedinho]

It’s not a pep team. Don’t care what he says.

The midfield is unfathomable.

Zero control and it effects defence and attack.

Star players like Foden and Haaland have either turned to shit or can’t be arsed.

I hate the wingers running into nothing but bodies and falling over.

Same with midfield, it’s always stretched.

Why not play nico and Rodri? No one can answer that at all with a stable back 4 or a back 5 with ait/nunes pushing into midfield to defend. Or the 2 dms covering the midfield flanks.

It’s doing my head in.

 

[bluevalley]

"Madness and genius are two sides of the same coin". This time it landed on the madness side.

 

[citytill1die84]

They’re exactly the type of crosses he swallowed up time after time 2 or 3 seasons ago

I think the problem is obvious

He’s clocked off for the World Cup. He’s saving his energy and avoiding putting himself into situations where he could injure himself

Watch him play like a man possessed in Norway’s first match

Best CF in world football. Get the ball to his feet he'll make shit happen.

Simple

 

[citytill1die84]

Isn't the striker meant to run towards goals in the hope of getting on the end of a cross.

When they're nowhere near him? Lol

 

[citytill1die84]

They were perfect for a striker on form.

In fact had Nico OR not been at FB tonight, I reckon he'd have scored 1 or 2 of them. If we'd gone in front I think the collapse would have been theirs not ours.

Nico O'Reily worst player on the pitch? Hahaha

 

[HarrytheBlue]

After the first 20-odd minutes with missed chances and no-one wanting to give the most prolific striker on the planet any sort of service, Madrid knew we'd used up our dominance and relaxed into it. Our proper LB is in the form of his life and doesn't start. Our unlikely converted RB is having an outstanding season but doesn't start. And we allow Valverde (the best right sided player in the world in my opinion) acres of space. The fella doesn't miss.

Erling works his arse off. Meanwhile, our wide players seem intent on having half arsed shots with no power from crazy angles rather than finding Erling or whoever else is in the box. To be fair to Doku, they doubled/trebled up on him and he worked hard - got a couple of decent crosses in but no-one attacked the ball - possibly because his crossing is so inconsistent and hit and miss that there's no fixed pattern - no understanding.

If Pep makes big changes for West Ham and we thrash 'em, fans will want that side to start in the return leg.

Madrid are the best bus parking team in the world, so that factor will be at play next week.

Why are our corners so dismal?

 

[chaddblue]

Best CF in world football. Get the ball to his feet he'll make shit happen.

Simple

When he can be arsed making the effort to move into positions where a team mate can get the ball to his feet

Impossible when he’s hiding like a statue at the back post surrounded by 3 defenders

Time for a run in the team for marmoush imo.. and if that pisses off Haaland.. good!! Might just make him get his arse in gear

 

[SamTheGuru]

It’s not a pep team. Don’t care what he says.

The midfield is unfathomable.

Zero control and it effects defence and attack.

Star players like Foden and Haaland have either turned to shit or can’t be arsed.

I hate the wingers running into nothing but bodies and falling over.

Same with midfield, it’s always stretched.

Why not play nico and Rodri? No one can answer that at all with a stable back 4 or a back 5 with ait/nunes pushing into midfield to defend. Or the 2 dms covering the midfield flanks.

It’s doing my head in.

Since when was Foden a star player? He has had one good season. Rodri is not Rodri of old and it will be a miracle if he recovers from the injuries he has had.

 

[the-ecstacy-of-eight]

They were perfect for a striker on form.

I'd say they were perfect for a winger on the opposite flank to dart in unnoticed and finish at the far post.
Sterling pretty much built his entire City career on being able to do it on a regular basis.

It's not all Haaland's fault.

 

[wolviedinho]

Since when was Foden a star player? He has had one good season. Rodri is not Rodri of old and it will be a miracle if he recovers from the injuries he has had.

Nah that’s a mental foden take. Apart from the last few seasons he was world class.

Rodri can’t and should not have to hold midfield on his own. We have nico x2 to help.

It’s crazy. We have no techniques, no control.

Built to play counter. For who tho? That’s the question and why move away from pep’s philosophy? The same philosophy that gave us success and an identity.

We look in crises. Just because other teams are shit shouldn’t hide this fact.

 

[Salford in the City]

I have to say, I feared the worst when I saw Ruben was starting tonight.

It was evident that the defence were disorganised, out of position, and not communicating effectively.

Combine that with a Rodri still finding his feet, and it's wonderland for Macca and the TNT crew (Joe H excepted)!

 

[citytill1die84]

When he can be arsed making the effort to move into positions where a team mate can get the ball to his feet

Impossible when he’s hiding like a statue at the back post surrounded by 3 defenders

Time for a run in the team for marmoush imo.. and if that pisses off Haaland.. good!! Might just make him get his arse in gear

Lol

 

[cleavers]

Nico O'Reily worst player on the pitch? Hahaha

LOL worst player, fuck off. Did you watch Haaland, Savinho, Reijjnders, Guehi ?

He was probably our best player when he went further forward, he often gets in those positions, but he wasn't able to tonight until he went further forward when Ait Nouri came on, and then got on the end of our best chance that Courtois saved.

 

[jim tolmies perm]

Some of the posts say more about the individual than the game tonight. I’m unsure which are real or fake, do Rags, bots, and soft arses only come out and complain on the after-match, forgetting to post and sleeping when we win?

We got beat in an away tie against one of the best teams in Europe, especially the CL. Our tactics weren't that of an away team and could be considered arrogant. We were rightly beaten by 3 decent strikes on goal.

Can we turn it around at ours? Yes, we could. Is it likely? No, it isn’t.

But I’ll still be watching ;-)

Was going to ignore this but fuck it I'm already pissed off with the state of the world as it is.
If you're referring to me sleeping then that might be because I'm 10000 km away visiting my family and at 64 my body just isn't up to 3am footy watching anymore. I can really only watch 12.30, 3 and 4.30pm kick offs, AND for good measure, the reason I'm not back at home now watching at a normal time is because our main sponsors fucked me over by throwing me off a flight two days ago in order to profiteer from normal folks misfortune and misery. Yes our sponsors and owners fawning over that fascist orange fucker , doing crypto deals and much more has led to it all fucking burning down and all you can do is come up with glib remarks like that to a City fan of 57 years and counting.
Just think before you post mate