Real Madrid (A) | Post Match Thread

[BlueAnorak]

Doesn't really matter though because Madrid regained possession, new phase of play

Well there is that. So why are loads of folks banging on about it?
Anything to discredit City brilliance I would think.

 

[bondsman]

It would be interesting to see the same view for the Kev goal...

Wio is one of the ex-rags I hate most

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

Top team performance

Dirty bastards trying to get under our skin as they know how dangerous we are

Hope for a strong ref next week but not optimistic about that

 

[John Wayne]

Pep played it just how he wanted. Going all out for them in the first leg away from home would have been stupid, especially with their forward line. No doubt we’ll see a much more quicker City next week, we’re capable of blowing any team away within the first 20 minutes.

There's been something wonderfully old-fashioned about how we've gone about the European campaign this season. If we win the tournament we'll have done so with just one win on the road, but importantly no defeats and only three goals conceded. The old adage was about doing the business at home and keeping it tight away. We've done it to the book. Last night was in the mould of Leipzig and Bayern away. Anyone expecting anything different last night was in for a rude awakening. No wonder Pep seemed happy post-match. The lads are following his instructions to the letter.

 

[SouthernPlastic]

Nor should it. Drop a 51-goal phenomenon for the biggest game of the season? If we need a goal in the last 20 minutes then it proves what a dreadful error in selection it would have been. Pep would never live it down if he dropped Haaland and to suggest he should is laughable.

Using a multiple title winning formation is laughable? Hardly.

 

[Otamendi's Beard]

The amount of moaning from Madrid shows you how well we did.

 

[Akira]

Just a reminder, guys, Real paid ultimate respect, defending deep, 5 at the back for much of the 1st half - at home - and literally trying to physically intimidate us. We withstood it all and came away with a great result. They even man-marked Big Earl which is something you never associate them with - that's how much they feared and had to respect us.
They can dress it up anyway they want, but, they aren't winning next week. We'll pose too many problems for them.

Yep. They were obviously shitting it before Vini JR's wondergoal, which gave them confidence to take the game to us.

 

[John Wayne]

Using a multiple title winning formation is laughable? Hardly.

Dropping Haaland for the second leg would defy his whole purpose for being at the club. I see what's happening here - he's not scored in his last two games, so now he becomes dispensable. The whole team is starting to be built around him being in it. He's been truly sensational. He makes other teams fearful. I just can't get my head around this suggestion at all. We've got the crowd behind us and an animal in attack, but you want to ditch it all for a formation we've not played all season because it's won us league titles in the past? Well OK then, but answer me this - how many CLs has it won us?

 

[Asa's left peg]

Our midfield did seem strangely 'unambitious' last night. I wonder if Pep has finally learnt to be pragmatic and was going safety first to ensure we came away with something.

Also, I think they thought they could handle most of our team but really feared Gundy and his movement between the lines. It would go someway to explain the attempted cheekbone break from that cheating twat (which I was totally expecting) and the tackle from Kroos (which I didn't expect), which surprised me.

Kroos tackle was an act of desperation and was probably instructed to do, whereas Rudiger's was just pure violence.

 

[Prater70]

His performance changed after being shithoused off Rudiger, I don’t think he recovered after that (assist apart) he was definitely feeling it and Pep should’ve maybe taken the decision to play the full 90 out of his hands, having said all that no Gundo no goal

Exactly my thoughts at the time

 

[Bazzmand Show]

Personally, I’d go false nine for this one, you could see we had less control than the previous games we’d played against Madrid. If we need a goal after 60-70 mins then bring the Viking on. Never happening though.

Yes dropping a 51 goal player in the biggest game or the season.

Makes a ton of sense....

 

[Burtonblue]

Having slept over it and analysed the game I have concluded that it was an excellent performance and outcome against probably the most difficult team in the world to play away to.
Anybody complaining about that knows fuck all about the game of football.

 

[Sheriff Fatman]

Personally, I’d go false nine for this one, you could see we had less control than the previous games we’d played against Madrid. If we need a goal after 60-70 mins then bring the Viking on. Never happening though.

I've seen some nonsensical shit on here over the years and this is up there

 

[Bazzmand Show]

I've seen some nonsensical shit on here over the years and this is up there

Absurd isn't it.

Even if haaaland doesn't score next week, he requires constant attention from at least 2 Madrid players at all times opening space.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

Unfortunately it’s not a working class game anymore as shown by all the half and half scarf tourists at our home games

I don't think it's a bad thing that City get people through the turnstiles. The more the merrier. However, my original point was that I hope City do not forget their fans from the past, and I hope that is reflected in sensible affordable prices in some parts of the ground, singing sections to build the atmosphere and with a bit of luck the powers that be will use the development of the north stand to make these things happen.

 

[AndyP68]

Although it would obviously have been welcome, the objective last night wasn't to win, it was to make sure the tie was still alive for the second leg at home.

A 1-0 defeat wouldn't have been disastrous, but anything heavier and it would have seemed like a mountain to climb. To not concede a second and then claw back a draw was absolutely magnificent. Last night we played Madrid, the stadium and the occasion, and were undefeated. Superb showing.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Yes dropping a 51 goal player in the biggest game or the season.

Makes a ton of sense....

Sometimes this forum kills me.

 

[Sir peace frog]

benzema is some player, thought he was brilliant tonight, his hold up,movement and passing was excellent

 

[s1ty m]

Absurd isn't it.

Even if haaaland doesn't score next week, he requires constant attention from at least 2 Madrid players at all times opening space.

It is absurd, that is precisely the word. Haaland plays, end of.

 

[Akira]

Have to say though, what a player Vinicius Jr is. For me, he is the best representative of the modern winger - less reliance on fancy tricks/dribbles, more emphasis on space and efficiency. Very intelligent winger.