BASIC SHAPE
...................Ederson
Walker..Otamendi..Laporte..Zinchenko
............Rodri..Fernandinho
..........KDB.............Bernardo/Foden
...<<..Sterling................Jesus..>>
_____________________________________________
FORWARD POSSESSION/PRESS
........................Ederson
........Otamendi..Fernandinho..Laporte
Walker..............Rodri...................Zinchenko
............Sterling.......KDB.....Bernardo/Foden
..........................Jesus
_____________________________________________
DEFENSIVE SHELL: OUT OF POSSESSION-NO PRESS
......................Ederson
Walker..Otamendi..Fernandinho..Laporte..Zinchenko
.......Sterling....KDB.....Rodri.....Bernardo/Foden
.......................Jesus
* Wish we had a better option at Left Back. Might even play Cancelo there!
This tie has Monaco Away written all over it, unless we play the game in front of us and play with the international experience this team brings to bear. One goal for us doesn’t change the calculus for Real Madrid. They’re coming to score TWO GOALS MINIMUM, which means they’re coming to attack, but over the 90 minutes, not 9. That’s going to require patience from us, which is about the only good thing about there not being 50,000 Blues in the stadium.
OUR first priority is to stop them from scoring, but we NEED to score a goal. If the game turns into a 0-1, the longer it goes, the more vulnerable we become to a 2nd RM goal. The longer we can go without them scoring, the better our chances become, because THEY have to start chasing the game, opening up, and leaving space for us to play.
Again, ONE GOAL FOR US DOESN’T CHANGE THEIR GAME PLAN, so they’re free to come to attack. Two goals for us and now their challenge is significantly harder...and then, if we did give up 3 goals at home in the CL Knockout Stage, we would absolutely deserve to go out!
This game is a 2020/2021 trial. If you play but don’t bring it, then you may have no place in this squad. THESE GAMES are what Man City were built for, what the owners are paying the players £500,000 - £1M/mo for, and what Pep was brought here for. If you can’t cut it, you’re done at City. THAT’S HOW MUCH THIS GAME MEANS.
2-1 at the Bernabeu was an outstanding result. However, it becomes meaningless if we ship 2 goals at the Etihad, and we just handed Arsenal 2 goals in a platter in a big game, so...
GAME ON!