Real Madrid (A) CL Semi Final 2nd Leg - Wed 4th May, 20:00 (BST) | Pre-Match Thread

[BlueBanger]

This is a game where our front three must not look for glory but rather make the right decisions. That is to pass to someone who has a tap in. So many times we pass up goal scoring opportunities because of a lack of awareness or selfishness. Maybe the only one who does see the right ball, is Phil, of the front three.
Come on you Blue Boys.

MAHREZ....

 

[FantasyIreland]

Starting Sterling as RB is not as bad as starting Grealish as CF.


Sometimes RW do play well as RB ( Navas )

Its more the fact Sterling wouldn't fancy tackling a fish supper.

 

[buckshot]

Any chance they can sign Zabaleta before Wednesday for just one match? He might not have the physical ability anymore but I have to believe his love for the club would will him to get the job done.

 

[Bluekiwi]

Ancelotti believes Real Madrid's second-leg comeback against Man City has already begun​

The coach was keen to celebrate the league title with the fans

Ancelotti believes Real Madrid's second-leg comeback against Man City has already begun

A few days ago there was a debate, which for many was absurd, about whether or not Real Madrid should celebrate the possible LaLiga Santander title win in the middle of the Champio

www.marca.com

Nah - they'll still be hung over after getting legless for a couple of days

 

[Bluekiwi]

Do You think Joao Cancelo at RB is a good idea against Vini JR??? Seriously Man, some of yous need to analyse games from a 360 perspective and not just with Blue-Tinted glasses.

For one game imagine yourself being an opposing fan and watch a City game, you'll soon see which players are at the top level of this game and those who flatter to deceive.

So what is our option at right back?
Walker is injured, Stones and Ake possibly as well so that leaves ------------------ Egan and Ferna.

 

[the talisman]

I keep seeing stuff about Sterling at right back, is this the updated version of Petrov at left back?
I love a pointless debate as much as the next man but we are not playing against Real Madrid (or anyone else for that matter) with a forward at right back.
We’ve got a right back, a very good one, just because he’s mostly been played at left back doesn’t mean he has to stay there forever.
Assuming Kyle and Stones are out, the only question mark around the back 4 is whether Pep goes with Zinchenko or Aké at left back.
Correct me if I’m wrong but the only non-defender that Pep has ever played in defence for us is Fernandinho?
I’m not saying he will play Fernandinho at right back on Wednesday (God help us) but he’s a lot higher on the list of potential right backs than Sterling FFS

 

[the talisman]

Do You think Joao Cancelo at RB is a good idea against Vini JR??? Seriously Man, some of yous need to analyse games from a 360 perspective and not just with Blue-Tinted glasses.

For one game imagine yourself being an opposing fan and watch a City game, you'll soon see which players are at the top level of this game and those who flatter to deceive.

Well I do for one.
We’ve got 2 right backs, if Walker is injured we play the other one.
He’s quite good actually.

 

[Tom Connolly]

absolutely bricking it. can’t do this for another 2 days and then for the whole month providing we get to the final. is football worth it?

 

[eversince 76]

Doesn’t anyone that says Sterling at RB think Pep would’ve played him there last week already with both Walker and Cancelo out? End of discussion.

Ofcourse Cancelo plays there and it’s Vinicius that needs to chase the player who is in our top 3 for assists.

Ederson has a chance to better is poor performance in the first leg. Probably the same 9 other than Cancelo coming in.
A repeat of the home game and a bit more clinical will do it. I’m quite confident.

 

[chesterbells]

absolutely bricking it. can’t do this for another 2 days and then for the whole month providing we get to the final. is football worth it?

Two responses to that imho:
1. It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.
2.

 

[Gingers Dad]

This is going to be the most physically challenged game of the season so far. If I was Pep I would just do one light session of training on the Tuesday morning, let the players rest today and Monday. We need to be fresh in this game so rest is the key

I don't think it will be too physical. If the players handle the pressure of the occasion they will be fine.

 

[Gingers Dad]

Cortois and Madrids back line were really uncomfortable under the press, obviously don’t have to deal with it very often. I hope we take the game to them.

 

[QuadedMCFC]

I have full confidence in the team, a draw will suffice, up the cityzens

 

[Goater=Legend]

We've just got to finish our chances this time, i don't expect them to suddenly become more of a defensive unit especially with that back four

 

[Cobwebcat]

Interesting that we're that low % wise for the win, but there you go

It’s just because Liverpool are in a better position than us and playing a weaker team in the second leg.

If we both reach the final it will be 50% or very close.

 

[Sky Blue Thinking]

Who can forget Kevin Keegan playing Faustino Asprilla at wing back for Newcastle? He already had to accommodate Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand up front not to mention Peter Beardsley and David Ginola.

SWP had a great season at RWB under Keegan.

 

[MCFC ISRAEL]

I think we have a problem on the right side. Cancelo is back and that's great news but he's not as good as Walker defensively. He also supports a lot the attack and Vinicius can take advantage of that. Beyond that, Mahrez will probably play with him on the right side and while he is one of our best players for sure, he isn't very good defending. In this case I would have preferred Jesus on the right to help Cancelo.

Ederson
Cancelo
Dias
Laporte
Zin/ Ake
Rodri
KDB
Bernardo
Jesus
Grealish
Foden

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

I'd probably go with this team too. Sterling did well on Saturday in terms of work rate, don't want to see him in any one on one situations though.

He will miss at least three one on one's and then bend a 20 yarder into the top corner he can go from the sublime to the ridiculous in minutes , but his sublime moments far outweigh his ridiculous moments , his all round contirbution is also sometimes not appreciated. Said it before , if he could finish chances with composure he would be world class

 

[mosssideblue]

Ederson
Cancelo , Dias , Laporte , Zinchenko
KDB , Rodri , Bernardo
Sterling , Jesus , Foden

Only picked Raheem ahead of Mahrez because we need energy , pace and closing down all of which Raheem is superior , also if we are needing a goal mahrez effects games from the bench , where as Raheem rarely does he needs time to get up to speed from the bench.
Supremely confident after the first game because we could have had double figures on another night and the madrid crowd will urging their side on and to over commit and we will pick them off in transition
Expecting a Guardiola tactical masterclass i.e dont fix something that isnt broken.

On one hand you say you are extremely confident after the first game because we could have had double figures and on the other, suggest Pep selects a different team followed by expecting Pep not trying to fix something that isn't broken.

 

[flook]

I'm thinking Pep will want someone on the right who will consistently track back to help cover Vinicius, so Raz over Mahrez, however as Mahrez didn't play against Lids I'm probably way off. I'd like Ake in at left back but as he's gone off injured twice in a row its probably going to be Zin