Real Madrid (H) - Tue 17th March, 20:00 | CL | Pre-Match Thread

[uwerosler28]

Priority for me is the League Cup Final.

We aren’t even at the Champions League races this year, so let’s get this over and salvage something of the season.

League Cup plus top two finish are worthy but realistic objectives in current circumstances.

Not willing to write off a game where over 50k of us have put our hands in our pocket to turn up and try and get the lads over the line, we should be giving everything to get an early goal put them under as much pressure as possible and throw the kitchen sink at getting 2 more not just turn up and get it over with!

 

[sir baconface]

Not willing to write off a game where over 50k of us have put our hands in our pocket to turn up and try and get the lads over the line, we should be giving everything to get an early goal put them under as much pressure as possible and throw the kitchen sink at getting 2 more not just turn up and get it over with!

Fair enough, mate. I respect your view. Hope they give you some joy on Tuesday.

 

[Eric Hitchmough]

I know I’ve been drinking for 6 hours but discount that, I think we’re gonna smash them on Tuesday and progress to the quarters.

 

[Manchester_lalala]

Not willing to write off a game where over 50k of us have put our hands in our pocket to turn up and try and get the lads over the line, we should be giving everything to get an early goal put them under as much pressure as possible and throw the kitchen sink at getting 2 more not just turn up and get it over with!

3-0/4-1 is a common score line. We can absolutely pull this back.

 

[alexmcity]

Donna

Nunes
Khusa
Guehi
RAN

Rodri
O'Reilly
Cherki

Semenyo
Haaland
Doku

They'll play a similar team. Mbappe travels with the team but is likely to be on the bench.

We need luck this time. We were a bit unlucky vs Forest, Real and W Ham. If we are lucky, we can score two deflected goals and get them worried.

I remember the 2nd leg vs Liverpool in 2018 after we lost the 1st leg 3:0. We completely outplayed them in the 1st half at the Etihad and the comeback was possible, but unlucky shots and crucial refereeing decisions stopped us.

 

[Bluemoonadam]

Probably win 3-1 and go out

 

[coolcity]

Not willing to write off a game where over 50k of us have put our hands in our pocket to turn up and try and get the lads over the line, we should be giving everything to get an early goal put them under as much pressure as possible and throw the kitchen sink at getting 2 more not just turn up and get it over with!

Totally agree, I never accept that it's over until it's over, otherwise there's no point. That's the sort of mentality that means you'll never win anything. Realistically it's a big ask of course, but they weren't 3 goals better than us on the night. They did well for the first but it was a hopeful punt upfield, second one just dropped lucky and the third, what can you say? Stunning, but that's the level.

 

[Baconsane]

I think we'll really turn up for this one. However, i think their 3rd goal really killed us off. Unlike at the SB, I think we'll score, but can't see us not conceding. We've left ourselves a mountain to climb. We need a team full of Sir Edmond Hillary's, and we're quite a few short.

 

[Blue2112]

As long as they don't get an early goal. It will be a long shit night and atmosphere if they do. C'mon Blues everywhere get behind the lads for this one and raise the roof, they know we can do it.

 

[wolviedinho]

Manager and coaching staff need to be properly evaluated also. Who oversees set-pieces?

James French I think. Doing a great job…

 

[Eaststander1]

We don't seem to launch many three goal comebacks ... maybe this is exactly the time to start !

We can only do our best, it's a mountain to climb, but a couple of first half goals would work wonders and set us up for quite a 2nd half !

 

[Sam69]

Trying to open the scoring in the first few minutes is a huge mistake we mustn't make, or trying to turn the game into a frenzy in the first half is the best way to concede a goal and create the kind of scenario Real Madrid excels at.

The objective must be to go into halftime in a better position than before kickoff. 1-0 in the 44th minute and going into the second half only two goals down? I'd take that in a heartbeat.

Winning by three goals and then securing our qualification in extra time or on penalties with Donnarumma? I truly believe we can do it if Pep considers a double pivot (Nico G and Rodri) to stifle Real's quick counter-attacks.

As the great coaches would say, your defensive organization dictates your attacking play. If you defend poorly, you attack poorly, your team doubts itself, and that sends a positive message to your opponent.

 

[madloaf]

3-0/4-1 is a common score line. We can absolutely pull this back.

Real Madrid have won 35 of 35 ties when leading by 3 or more goals after the first leg. I suppose they're due.

 

[noseve]

Our attack is as dangerous as a toy sword.

You have clearly never been poked up the arse with a toy sword...

 

[Sam69]

There are five days between the Real Madrid match (Tuesday) and the final against Arsenal (Sunday), enough time to recover, and as all players and coaches say, when you win, you recover faster and better.

Therefore, the best preparation for Sunday is to win against Real Madrid (even if it means elimination) and, above all, to play well and deliver a strong performance to regain confidence and stop the negative spiral.

 

[Dizbuster]

You have clearly never been poked up the arse with a toy sword...

What did it feel like? It's okay if you don't wish to answer...I understand and commiserate. ;-)

 

[bluestevei]

We might as well go all in, take it to them, if we can score early and put the shitters up them then if we can get another in first half they will be bricking it, and you never know. But if we don't go through make sure they have been in a battle, don't want us to go out not trying.

 

[citymad]

Probably win 3-1 and go out

Thats the spirit.

 

[Columbia]

Let’s take the loss and focus on the carabao cup.

 

[cleavers]

Fair enough, mate. I respect your view. Hope they give you some joy on Tuesday.

Same, and they'll give us all joy if they pull it off, but I'm taking Pep's advice.

I'm not throwing good money after bad money, to attend the game it would cost me another £100 on top of the ticket price, and be 24 hours out of my life.