Real Madrid (H) - Wed 17th May, 20:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[aguero93:20]

Have we any previous matches with him as ref ?

Not that I recall, he refereed the world cup final though. Seems to like giving penalties so we'll need to be careful.

 

[AliBobbyJ]

Another round of the Bald Bodybuilder.

Fourth official: I miss Istvan Zsolt.

 

[Easy]

Playing this game at home is a major advantage. Jack recently spoke about how confident the team feel playing at home.

The atmosphere will make the difference and Carvajal won’t be able to foul non stop without getting a yellow. He is their weak link and hopefully Grealish will take advantage. Carvajal also gave away a penalty against Sterling when we knocked them out during Covid if I’m not mistaken.

Many discussing the winger combination and I’d have Bernardo and Grealish. Both work extremely hard defensively and are brilliant at keeping the ball. I love Foden but he’s not in the best form and Mahrez for me is inconsistent. You simply don’t know which Mahrez will turn up while with Bernardo even if he has an off day at least he will be contributing defensively.

Let’s win this and reach the CL FINAL once again!

CTID

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Any chance of Nate being back for this one? Pep said he was much better before the w/e, which is very surprising if it's a hammy.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

Not that I recall, he refereed the world cup final though. Seems to like giving penalties so we'll need to be careful.

So will Real! So will that thug Rudiger!

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

Playing this game at home is a major advantage. Jack recently spoke about how confident the team feel playing at home.

The atmosphere will make the difference and Carvajal won’t be able to foul non stop without getting a yellow. He is their weak link and hopefully Grealish will take advantage. Carvajal also gave away a penalty against Sterling when we knocked them out during Covid if I’m not mistaken.

Many discussing the winger combination and I’d have Bernardo and Grealish. Both work extremely hard defensively and are brilliant at keeping the ball. I love Foden but he’s not in the best form and Mahrez for me is inconsistent. You simply don’t know which Mahrez will turn up while with Bernardo even if he has an off day at least he will be contributing defensively.

Let’s win this and reach the CL FINAL once again!

CTID

Mahrez has been one of our most reliably consistent players throughout this season, he keeps to the line so always has the opposition defence stretched and nobody can take a long pass like he does.

Must admit that I’d be very happy to see Bernardo though, if Pep thinks it applicable.

 

[Elliot houghton]

The first 15 minutes of the last game we pressed them hard and they couldn't handle it when we stopped doing that they got back In to the game milder conditions hopefully means we can play like that for longer and put them under a lot more pressure

 

[Haaland94]

I can't wait for this game. There is no point in trying to predict the line-up, do we play Jack or Phil, Riyad or Bernie, Nate or Manuel? I don't know, and I don't care because they are all capable of magic, so I trust Pep will pick whoever's body language is best in training. I am happy with the ref as well, he is the best we could have gotten, so no excuses here. I absolutely fucking detest Real Madrid, so let's eat them alive, just knock them out of the park!

 

[Silva&Silva]

We could end this week as CL finalists and as champions, bring it on!

 

[Withnail]

Bernardo was man of the match against Bayern, arguably in both legs. He's one for big occasions. It's not like he was in form several months ago.

Also, Bernardo offers us different things compared to Mahrez or Foden. It's not like Bernardo and Mahrez are the same type of player and we choose the one who performed better in the last game or two.

Bernardo is a nailed on starter imo, no denying he wasn't at his best in the 1st leg, but in the big games he delivers 9 times out of 10.