Real Madrid (A) | Pre-Match Thread

[Tricky_Trev]

Italian Daniele Orsato is the ref.

I’ve always considered Italians to be incorruptible. Oh wait...

 

[itisrising]

Yes but with Mahrez it’s sometimes hit or miss. At least with Bernardo if it’s a miss, he still works incredibly hard defensively so I’d have him over Mahrez.

maybe both will start.

He can be at times but we need as many away goals as possible and he's more of a threat than Bernardo.

 

[Craig]

Yes but with Mahrez it’s sometimes hit or miss. At least with Bernardo if it’s a miss, he still works incredibly hard defensively so I’d have him over Mahrez.

maybe both will start.

Bit of a myth now that Mahrez doesn’t graft for the team these days. His work rate is now decent and he carries miles more threat from the right than Bernardo who is far better in the middle and that’s where his energy very useful but for some reason Pep rarely plays him there.

 

[BosnianBlue]

It really doesn't mean too much on whether he will start or not. I have seen Pep put other players up before the press & not start them although I hope he does.

Poor Zinchenko was on pressie before first game we played vs Shakhtar in his Ukraine and never put a foot on the pitch next day :D

 

[Easy]

Bit of a myth now that Mahrez doesn’t graft for the team these days. His work rate is now decent and he carries miles more threat from the right than Bernardo who is far better in the middle and that’s where his energy very useful but for some reason Pep rarely plays him there.

I’d agree, Bernardo is best in midfield, a shame he’s not used there more often.

 

[Easy]

He can be at times but we need as many away goals as possible and he's more of a threat than Bernardo.

good point on away goals. I just hope if Mahrez starts, he shows his best form.

 

[gingerprince]

I think pep will play ultra defensive teams both legs to just draw them 0:0

Then win on penalties @ Etihad

 

[Chi-town blues]

I think pep will play ultra defensive teams both legs to just draw them 0:0

Then win on penalties @ Etihad

Only to miss all of them .

 

[kippaxking79]

I thought they weren't using away goals this season.

According to UEFA they are

 

[KCblue]

Surprised to see they lost to Levante at the weekend. I think we're going to go there and nick a 1-2 win. Always tough to guess how Pep wants to line up, but I'd go:

Ederson, Walker, Fernandinho, Laporte, Mendy, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Mahrez, Aguero, Bernardo
Bench: Bravo, Cancelo, Stones, Otamendi, Gundogan, Foden, Jesus

Sterling for one of the CBs if he's fit. Also wouldn't be shocked if he picked Jesus over Bernardo, but it's just so bloody tough to guess with him.