Real Madrid (H) | Post Match Thread

Benarbia’s Backheel said:
Unpopular opinion:
Real Madrid are better than the dippers.
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Not sure that's unpopular.
Dippers would have scored six or seven from the chances we created last night. However I don't think they have the midfield to have created the chances in the first place.
Our midfield and attack have enough to score a couple in Madrid. I just hope our defenders have the games of their lives.
 
Jogon 127 said:
Sorry mate, don’t agree.

Laporte looked to Zinny as they were on the back foot and saw Rodrygo chasing up the right wing, so he correctly continued to track Benzema. Otherwise it would have left Zinchenko with two attackers to deal with.

Vinicius was simply too good/quick for Ferdy and (Foden?) chasing in his slipstream.
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Its a tough one & yes as a football purist you have to admire the skill of Vinicius as well as naivety of Fernie in trying to win the ball knowing you've got no protection behind you as cover.

I personally think Laporte should have known better, as whilst I agree he was acutely aware of Benzema & further back Rodrygo making runs into the box as a central defender you need to deal with the immediate danger which was indeed Vinicius having a clear path to goal about to shoot. Benzema & Rodrygo were lesser priorities in this particular situation where Zin could deal with one of them and then if the balls ends up with Rodrygo there's a possibility of backup arriving by the time he gets a shot off.

In the end both Laporte & Zin end up tracking Benzema instead of one of each. I really think we need to get Walker back by hook or crook next week. Its the business end of the season & who knows when we'll next get an opportunity to get to another Champions League final - you can't take these things for granted in life & as we've see in the past this competition is more times than often about fine margins & luck rather than simply the best team playing the best football.

Its no coincidence, without out natural wing backs we were de-stabilised as a defending unit & conceded 3 goals last night. Our main strength is controlling the game but we were hesitant in defending as we weren't confident at the back. Furthermore, Walker allows us to express our passing more naturally as we know we have a release valve if the passes go astray in him hoovering them up or matching up pace wise with balls in behind us. We looked pretty nervous passing out especially from the right side knowing we didn't have that cover.

On a positive note, I thought Zin was outstanding last night. Not only did he execute his defending duties well, but was fantastic going forward & offered a lot up front & on the wing. I do like Cancelo's creativity but I have doubts on his defending abilities & I'm not sure he will fare too well against either Rodrygo or Vinicius unless Pep instructs to give him some help in defensive situations.
 
Leaving the stadium and on the way home it felt like a defeat. Looking back a great result, but we should be out of sight already, we had enough chances.
I'm purring at the prospect of Haaland and Alvarez getting on the end of the chances we create.
We need to be fully focused next week, no brain farts or lapses of concentration and we'll be heading to Paris.
 
hammersmithlad said:
On a positive note, I thought Zin was outstanding last night. Not only did he execute his defending duties well, but was fantastic going forward & offered a lot up front & on the wing. I do like Cancelo's creativity but I have doubts on his defending abilities & I'm not sure he will fare too well against either Rodrygo or Vinicius unless Pep instructs to give him some help in defensive situations.
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I am not a fan at all tbh, but hold my hands up and say yes, I think he was excellent too. Maybe his best game for us even.

(Conceivably could have done more with the Benzema goal, but I am splitting hairs.)
 
train man said:
He did, but by a clever dummy, which nutmegged him - if Vin had played the ball to go past Fern, i think we know our boy is getting a yellow but Vin is going no further...
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Mate, it's all part of the game whether he touched the ball or not. Vinícius scored a beautiful goal, from the dummy, to the pace & control shown, to the finish past Ederson.

It matters not whether it's a dummy or he touched the ball imho. He executed his intentions to perfection & scored a quite simply brilliant goal.

I'd prefer goals against us like that, than embarrassing comical fuck ups like Steffen's vs the Dippers. Vini's goal hurt like hell, but in a way I'm glad it took a moment of world class brilliance to undo us. )(
 
Cant believe the negativity! yes, we made some mistakes and obviously missed our natural RB's but so many positives to take away! BTW how good was KDB off the ball run into the box for first goal??? such an intelligent run.
 
there is zero chance of City not scoring in Madrid. this tie is 75%/25% in our favour. even if Madrid get an early goal, i can see our guys outplaying them again.
with cancelo coming into the team (and kyle if possible) our full backs will be a lot better.
it will get scary over there, no doubt, but all we need is a draw.
 
City_Sean said:
I think it's more a case of frustration. Madrid were there for the absolute taking last night. A combination of greediness, inefficiency and concentration cost us.

Were still favourites and are better than Madrid, but that was an enormous opportunity to kill the tie.

Laporte should do better with the Vinicius goal. Thought I'd been too critical of Mahrez last night but watching the highlights back, it's unforgivable to not pass to Foden. Same as him shitting out of a challenge before Madrids first.
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I'm going to watch it back. Mahrez made those two mistakes but I thought he did some really good stuff as well?
 
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