Real Madrid post match thread

[sir baconface]

.. and to cap it all the stream I watched it on was freezing every 4 or 5 minutes

No, no. Don’t blame the stream. It’s the way we play.

 

[HarrytheBlue]

stop playing players that are only half fit. We bought new, young players. Play them and start the rebuild we desperately need.

Oh right, Pep should take advice from random lads on BM/FB etc. We've had one bad half season in nine years and the numerous Blue Moaners near me all think their varied opinions (no problem with that - everyone has an opinion) are the solution. Truth is, Pep sees these guys close up in training - knows what they're about. No coach on the planet can be held responsible for two colossal unforced errors.

 

[HarrytheBlue]

The problem is replacing these players, the bulk of whom have been cornerstones of a team who made history.

Our recent signings wouldn't inspire much confidence that they're going to be replaced with upgrades. Doku, Phillip,s Nunes etc

So you don't think that Doku can become a special player for us?

 

[iwasthere1968]

Ludicrous.

Who gives a toss what they think?

 

[IrishBlueSince92]

So you don't think that Doku can become a special player for us?

I have major doubts.

 

[ancoats]

It was a painful night and many words was spoken, I really did fancy us and when 2.1 up i though we could win

But the truth and a sleep after the nightmare things was a lot worst than the score line, They should have been out of sight and had far to much for our ageing defence, Ederson's mistake sort of took all the blame from the game and result, but again the truth is he saved us 3 or 4 times in the game with great saves.

I take back all i said about Ederson last night and hold my hands up and say sorry

The damage and the rebuild will take more than 4 new winter signings and the summer window, We need full-backs and more midfield power and forwards, Pep must have a bigger squad to work with and options to change the games

The return leg next week we have to throw in the new signings, give them a taste of what is needed in a city shirt in the champions league, forget the result or any chance of going through and play without fear of losing

 

[Saddleworth2]

Oh right, Pep should take advice from random lads on BM/FB etc. We've had one bad half season in nine years and the numerous Blue Moaners near me all think their varied opinions (no problem with that - everyone has an opinion) are the solution. Truth is, Pep sees these guys close up in training - knows what they're about. No coach on the planet can be held responsible for two colossal unforced errors.

Nobody thought when poor Lewis came on to face up to VJ that he might have problems and they would likely target him. Everyone thought he and Kova and Gundo would flourish in that game and we would comfortably see out the game. Not random advice mate. Just folk stating the bleeding obvious. We are all fans but allowed to have opinions on how we set up and perform and Pep is not immune from criticism despite what he has done for us in the past.

 

[Roachy]

Oh right, Pep should take advice from random lads on BM/FB etc. We've had one bad half season in nine years and the numerous Blue Moaners near me all think their varied opinions (no problem with that - everyone has an opinion) are the solution. Truth is, Pep sees these guys close up in training - knows what they're about. No coach on the planet can be held responsible for two colossal unforced errors.

The last bit is true. I'm just thinking there's been a ton of unforced errors over the season that have led to our undoing. Coincidence, bad luck or something else maybe?

 

[Dribble]

It's not that the new players didn't start, it's that they didn't even come on except Marmoush for like 5 minutes, it was just another example of Pep's ludicrous use of the bench or lack of, I don't expect the new lads to be prime Rodri and Aguero immediately but I expect them to be better than some washed up players that we've used this season and play instead of them, yet in typical Pep style only Marmoush comes on for 5 minutes while Lewis plays an entire half with Kev getting almost 90 minutes, and he couldn't even give Gonzalez 5 minutes so brough Gundo instead.

As for Kev let's be honest, how many of those magic passes has he pulled off in the big games since his comeback last season ? the one to Bobb against Newcastle in his comeback game aside I can't recall any other pass, he looks better against lesser teams but we can't carry him in the big games in the hope that he will find the magic pass because it's just not happening.

Which defenders do you think Khusanov & Reis would've been a better option for last night?

Kev has spent a lot of the last three seasons injured. When asked about his future, he stated he didn't want to discuss a new contract until the end of the season, because he didn't feel right physically & wanted to ensure if he did extend, City would be getting the best of a 34 year old legend.

I feel the best option going forward is for KDB to extend for 12 months with a club option of another year, & for him to be used more as a squad player, whilst we blood his replacement & transition as a squad.

None of this is the players fault. The tune for us to start the succession planning was after the treble when we were on top, but the signs of ageing, injuries & fatigue were clearly there for all to see.

Quite why we deferred this for two successive summer windows is a question you'd havecto ask our management. Pep's already held his hands up & admitted ge declined Txiki's offer to start our rebuild last summer, & there in lies the problems we're seeing this season.

It's been a long time coming & was totally avoidable imo

 

[Chak19]

Oh right, Pep should take advice from random lads on BM/FB etc. We've had one bad half season in nine years and the numerous Blue Moaners near me all think their varied opinions (no problem with that - everyone has an opinion) are the solution. Truth is, Pep sees these guys close up in training - knows what they're about. No coach on the planet can be held responsible for two colossal unforced errors.

Those colossal unforced errors have been happening all season, if he can't coach it out of them he deserves blame too.

 

[M43 blue]

In my opinion the subs was wrong Lewis and foden was ok as the players was injured but kdb should of been off for marmoush and Silva for Nico don't no why he took savinho off as he was up and down the pitch winning the ball and looked up for it just seems are management with subs and the last 15 mins in games goes to pot do we not have a defence coach oh and FFS ederson can be his new name now

 

[HarrytheBlue]

Those colossal unforced errors have been happening all season, if he can't coach it out of them he deserves blame too.

Inexplicable mate. Nothing to do with age - in fact the older the player - the more likely they are to not do something stupid.

 

[Chak19]

Which defenders do you think Khusanov & Reis would've been a better option for?

Kev has spent a lot of the last three seasons injured. When asked about his future, he stated he didn't want to discuss a new contract until the end of the season, because he didn't feel right physically & wanted to ensure if he did extend, City would be getting the best of a 34 year old legend.

I feel the best option going forward is for KDB to extend for 12 months with a club option of another year, & for him to be used more as a squad player, whilst we blood his replacement & transition as a squad.

None of this is the players fault. The tune for us to start the succession planning was after the treble when we were on top, but the signs of ageing, injuries & fatigue were clearly there for all to see.

Quite why we deferred this for two successive summer windows is a question you'd havecto ask our management. Pep's already held his hands up & admitted ge declined Txiki's offer to start our rebuild last summer, & there in lies the problems we're seeing this season.

It's been a long time coming & was totally avoidable imo

Reis isn't part of the CL squad so it's irrelevant, Khusanov could've been brought on for Akanji rather than Lewis, Pep could've alternatively brought him on for Ake and leave Stones in midfield rather than bring on Kova who always looks poor as a 6 against the top teams, instead he just sat on the bench doing fuck all, I'm not expecting Khusanov to be Kompany straight away, but I'm also not expecting him to be an option only against Leyton Orient and Plymouth.

 

[Kippax77]

It was a painful night and many words was spoken, I really did fancy us and when 2.1 up i though we could win

But the truth and a sleep after the nightmare things was a lot worst than the score line, They should have been out of sight and had far to much for our ageing defence, Ederson's mistake sort of took all the blame from the game and result, but again the truth is he saved us 3 or 4 times in the game with great saves.

I take back all i said about Ederson last night and hold my hands up and say sorry

The damage and the rebuild will take more than 4 new winter signings and the summer window, We need full-backs and more midfield power and forwards, Pep must have a bigger squad to work with and options to change the games

The return leg next week we have to throw in the new signings, give them a taste of what is needed in a city shirt in the champions league, forget the result or any chance of going through and play without fear of losing

I really didn't fancy us at 1-0 or 2-1.
This just isn't the team of yesteryear.
Hopefully next year means playing new faces.
Then let's hope Pep has what it takes to trust and start afresh.
We've had the best out of a lot of the old guard but there becomes a time when you have to let go and start again

 

[HarrytheBlue]

The irony is that Haaland was practically begging for long balls during game and got none. Then, when the time definitely wasn't right for it, suddenly Ederson decides to give it a go.

Haaland - I think it's 49 Champions League goals in 48 games. The best out and out striker on the planet by a country mile - hitting form. Someone please give him the service - through the gaps and over the top because right now he's near unstoppable.

 

[Chak19]

The irony is that Haaland was practically begging for long balls during game and got none. Then, when the time definitely wasn't right for it, suddenly Ederson decides to give it a go.

We play a ball to him in the channels, he gets there and plays it back, makes his run, Grealish plays the ball in behind and he scores, and we decide not to try that again for the rest of the game, oh and he was up against a midfielder and a youngster who's playing in his first senior season, sums up this team honestly.

 

[Damanino]

this Real side with lesser injuries in their defence was completely beaten by Barca two times this season already.

in La Liga and in the supercup final both,Barca scoring 5 in the cup final and winning 4-0 at the Bernabeu!!!

I think we are lucky we didnt have to meet Flick's Barca this season as that would have been ugly. lot of pace, aggression, pressing, even tho they have 4-5 young players like Pedri, Gavi, Balde, Cubarsi, Yamal about the age range of Rico Lewis putting in serious match winner performances week in week out with world class form from Raphinha and decent year from veteran Lewandowski...

what was Flick's first action when he arrived at Barca? thanked Gundogan for his contribution as he was planning to seriously speed up Barca's play from Xavi-era, high energy, high tempo football built on younger squad.
what we did? wanted Gundo back with open arms thinking for our slower style he will be great fit.

 

[ancoats]

I really didn't fancy us at 1-0 or 2-1.
This just isn't the team of yesteryear.
Hopefully next year means playing new faces.
Then let's hope Pep has what it takes to trust and start afresh.
We've had the best out of a lot of the old guard but there becomes a time when you have to let go and start again

Yep.. this season with an ageing injury-hit squad was asking far too much.
Coming up short is not a disgrace by any means and a winless season is ok and there is no shame.

It's hard to watch something so special on its last legs, it's like after the lord's mayor show you have to clean up

 

[Dribble]

Reis isn't part of the CL squad so it's irrelevant, Khusanov could've been brought on for Akanji rather than Lewis, Pep could've alternatively brought him on for Ake and leave Stones in midfield rather than bring on Kova who always looks poor as a 6 against the top teams, instead he just sat on the bench doing fuck all, I'm not expecting Khusanov to be Kompany straight away, but I'm also not expecting him to be an option only against Leyton Orient and Plymouth.

Or he could've brought on Khusanov whose inexperience might have cost us all the same. The point many are making is we had the chance of proper succession planning over the previous two summer windows & didn't.

Because of this we're now in a situation where we're desperately short on bodies & quality in depth. Last night was just a culmination of our failure to commence our rebuild before a potential issue became a squad crisis. This is on City, as this match wasn't exactly an outlier for the season. What we're witnessing now, was set in motion two years ago.

 

[Cellarite]

I actually thought Rico did ok against one of the best/ fastest players in the world

Absolutely. Anything other than prime Kyle Walker last night and Rico was going to get pelters.