Real Madrid (A) - Tues 9th April, 20:00 | CL | Pre-Match Thread

[alexmcity]

This lineup would not suprise me now

Edeson

Akanji
Stones
Dias

Bernardo
Kova
Rodri
Grealish

Kdb
Foden

Haaland

Rodri dropping into make a back 4 when defending??

This is probably a more likely team than one with Rico (or Gomez). It would be easier to keep the ball and pass them to death, which is our main way to defend anyway.

That said, I think Gvardiol will be ready to start.

 

[skillman]

Of course there is a scenario where Rodri plays centre back…but then who plays full backs? I can’t see Lewis playing against their winger, but really bereft of options.

Can’t see Rodri starting CB. He’s too vital to the middle for it to even be contemplated IMO.

 

[Withnail]

I think Ancellotti will go for it tomorrow as he knows we will have players back and are almost unbeatable at home. We need to be on our game.

Ancellotti and his team are still smarting from that 2nd leg trouncing and will be keen for some form of revenge. We certainly need to defend better than we did in the 1st half from Saturday, but we have players that can hurt them in Kdb, Foden and Haaland.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

You have to congratulate Jabba the hut Tebas , La Liga have given Real ten days rest before this game because they know the importance of a Champs league win and the kudos it will give to La Liga , the Premier league on the other hand awarded us an extra two and a half hours with the 12.30 early kick off against Palace.
The irony that if we did win Big Ears again it could lead to a fifth placed club qualifying for the Champs league next season , so one of our back stabbing competitors like the Rags or Spuds would benefit from our success , you can bet Levy or Ratcliffe will not refuse a place in the Champs league next season as a mark of solidarity against our club and the pending 115 charges , absolutely not , they will grab it with both of their sticky/greedy hands which only questions their lack of integrity.

The premier league are a fucking disgrace.

 

[MadchesterCity]

If it went to pens, I would want Stefan in nets.

Carson for me if it goes to pens

 

[BringBackSwales]

Carson for me if it goes to pens

Is that a wind up?

 

[BringBackSwales]

Everyone in La Liga got the weekend off to be fair, it was Copa final weekend.

Had Real Madrid got the final they would have played on Saturday.

At this stage of the season I would rather be playing every 3 days gaining momentum.

Can you imagine us going into this Real Madrid game after the Arsenal game having 9 days off? I am glad we had Villa and Palace in between.

Exactly, it is what it is, no point moaning about it

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

This lineup would not suprise me now

Edeson

Akanji
Stones
Dias

Bernardo
Kova
Rodri
Grealish

Kdb
Foden

Haaland

Rodri dropping into make a back 4 when defending??

This will be it, I'm almost certain.

The only question for me is whether Rodri drops back to make a 4 when we don't have possession, or whether Bernardo and Jack play as wing-backs allowing the 3 defenders to tuck in.

Rico is a wonderful young player, but putting him up against Real's forward line is asking for trouble.

 

[Didsbury Dave]

This is probably a more likely team than one with Rico (or Gomez). It would be easier to keep the ball and pass them to death, which is our main way to defend anyway.

That said, I think Gvardiol will be ready to start.

We won’t start with 3 at the back. We never do. We will start with four at the back so stones can step into midfield to make a 3. He actually might not even step forward because I think Pep will want to be careful here so I suspect a flat back four.

 

[balotelli's back pocket]

We won’t start with 3 at the back. We never do. We will start with four at the back so stones can step into midfield to make a 3. He actually might not even step forward because I think Pep will want to be careful here so I suspect a flat back four.

Stones won't be stepping into midfield regardless if Rico plays. He'll be staying back like he did at the weekend.