Real Madrid (A) - Wed 19th Feb, 20:00 | CL | Pre-Match Thread

Match Result Prediction?

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alexmcity said:
We can take risks in the final 30 minutes or so. Taking big risks from the start is likely to backfire: they created many chances against 5 defenders at the Etihad. Letting them run at us should be avoided, but without fear or using a low block or 5 defenders. Invite them to high press us and use long balls to our forwards.

The longer we stay in the game, the more nervous they will get. So, they'll try to swarm us at some point, it's up to us to exploit the spaces efficiently.
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Exactly, if we score early then great but just make sure we stay in the game don't go gung ho, 0-0 after 60/70 minutes will be ok and i'd fancy us to nick one and then it's game on.
 
alexmcity said:
Nah, my point is about balance, not about fear or giving them too much respect. If we are unreasonably open, then the tie may be over in the first 30 minutes.

Again, Real are not Newcastle. The formation and tactics that worked vs. Nrwcastle at home are not likely to work vs. Real away. Common sense that. Let's give us the best chance to compete against a top team at their ground. Going gung ho or with 5 defenders isn't likely to work. Balance.
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We should play two up front though. We looked more solid at the back against Chelsea and Newcastle with Haaland and Marmoush. If Haaland is not fit Foden can play just behind Marmoosh.
 
lionheart said:
So you expect Nico to run the entire midfield single handed? Meanwhile, it wouldn't surprise me if Haaland starts from the bench after his injury. Bernardo has previous against Madrid so may start in his place.
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Thank God your not picking the team , Silva is finished at this level , btw, we need to win the game , what use is the star striker sitting on the bench ffs ?
 
lionheart said:
So you expect Nico to run the entire midfield single handed? Meanwhile, it wouldn't surprise me if Haaland starts from the bench after his injury. Bernardo has previous against Madrid so may start in his place.
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I'd hope that Stones would step into midfield and Foden to get stuck in too. But if Foden is too light then Bernardo maybe us better in there.

Bernardo should only ever play CM anyway cos he is not a threat out wide.

Hopefully Haaland will be fit. If not then maybe that's where Foden would fit.

My main hope is that we have pace and nuisance as much as possible. I don't want to see us trying and failing to play pretty when it's been absent all season.
 
bobbyowenquiff said:
We should play two up front though. We looked more solid at the back against Chelsea and Newcastle with Haaland and Marmoush. If Haaland is not fit Foden can play just behind Marmoosh.
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Marmoush will support Haaland and make runs in behind, but he will track back too. Guess he will help Gvardiol when they attack on their right side, just like Savinho on the other side.
 
Just go out fighting. Properly put it on them we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
 
No doubt Kevin has in him at least one or two fantastic games. Aging and declining undermines the consistency of putting good performances week in week out, but players like Kevin might stun Real. Not saying he should start, but if we need a spark, can see Pep subbing him on. Doku is an option in the final 20 minutes too.
 
Gone for a Burton said:
Pep will also have an eye on the dipper game.

Qualification next season is essential.

Finishing 5th will secure it, finishing 6th means we'll have to win the final to qualify for next seasons competition.
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Yes it’s a fine balance. Play like we did yesterday and we have a chance against both RM and Liverpool. Can that team replicate the performance? There were a number of players that were the architects, Nico, Eddie, John, Marmoush, Gundo (yes Gundo) Savinho, Guardiol. Khusanov? We might be able to make two or three changes tops but for me those guys should play both if fit.
 
Brightwell Bros. said:
Yesterday has given me a glimmer of hope. If we get anywhere close to the level of the first half I think we beat them.

I hope Marmoush and Nico start. I'd honestly be half tempted to start the same team. Don't mind it Bernie comes in for Gundo. Keep Kev as an impact sub.
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If we were playing Newcastle again then I'd start the same team too but it's a different game so I can see Pep making some changes although I have no idea what he'll change. I'm half expecting Madrid to go gung ho from the start to try and get a two goal cushion but they know we have to win so they might let us come on to them and use their pace upfront on the counter. I think it's important we don't let them get ahead early in the game.
 
Bit conflicted over this. Think if we go out we finish top four. If we go through, I'm less certain. Having two games a week has killed us this season. Don't think we're good enough to get anywhere near winning this - would rather finish the season in the top four and going for the FA Cup.

Ederson
Khusanov, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol
Gonzalez, Bernardo
Foden, De Bruyne, Savinho
Marmoush

Something like that.
 
Yes, Madrid will be more of a challenge than a poor Newcastle side yesterday. Pep must be tempted, though, to go with the same starting XI as yesterday, injuries permitting. He may consider bringing in Kev for either Erling or (whisper it) Omar. Have an experienced extra body in midfield. Lewis up against Vinicius would be a worry, though.
 
Brightwell Bros. said:
If we get anywhere close to the level of the first half I think we beat them.
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Imo, that won't be enough, unless we are lucky. The result after the 1st half could have easily been 2:1 Real, or 3:2. They had the better chances. We had a good spell after the goal but weren't stable in defence before and after that.

It's football. Mistakes, red cards, etc. happen. But we need a better performance than in that 1st half where Real could have been 2 up before we created something.

For that purpose, we need more stability in midfield, putting Bernie and maybe Kova next to Nico. Starting with 4 attacking players is too risky. Gvardiol can help us in attack if/when possible.
 
alexmcity said:
Imo, that won't be enough, unless we are lucky. The result after the 1st half could have easily been 2:1 Real, or 3:2. They had the better chances. We had a good spell after the goal but weren't stable in defence before and after that.

It's football. Mistakes, red cards, etc. happen. But we need a better performance than in that 1st half where Real could have been 2 up before we created something.

For that purpose, we need more stability in midfield, putting Bernie and maybe Kova next to Nico. Starting with 4 attacking players is too risky. Gvardiol can help us in attack if/when possible.
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First half from Newcastle. I thought we made them look average rather than them being poor.

But agree the Madrid game was fine. Nothing in there to suggest we could do anything.
 
Looking forward to this, taking my youngest, a night in Tenerife and then a night in Madrid.

Only problem on the way back my flight is into Tenerife North and then back to Manchester from Tenerife south, seemingly about 40 miles apart and a shuttle bus between the 2, every 4 hours! Anyone here know anything about the public buses in Tenerife?
 
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