That one change changed everything though, Gundo not played defensive mid for two seasons weakened us going forward and at the back. Foden should have played on the left as he has done all season in the Champs league and has been really fantastic there. Raz simply isn’t as good there. Pep is a brilliant coach but he does have mental block in this competition with this club. He would never have fucked about with that Barca team in a final Like he has done with City, probably shows that he doesn’t really trust us. He is great but he is flawed as well.To be fair, he changed 1 player... just the 1!
Bizarre is not the correct word.
Zinchenko is more than good enough to play left back in a Champions League final. Most CL winners don’t have an 11 full of the world’s best but they minimise their weaknesses. Our team is more than capable of winning the thingI agree but not with some of the players we have. Zinchenko is a makeshift LB who is simply playing because Mendy isn't good enough.
This, a top quality striker with presence and a top quality LB.What is lacking? Considering we’ve probably had the best season of any team in Europe. Very little. IMO a top level striker that frightens defenders and that’s about it. As, seemingly going off the rumours the club and manager are aware of that and will try and add one.
To be fair, he changed 1 player... just the 1!
Bizarre is not the correct word.
I’m going to be slaughtered for saying this but, we lack two world class centre midfielders. One being a DM. Rodri is far to slow and isn’t suited to the Prem. I always said the replacement to Fern needed to be mobile.
Gundo has had a decent season however he replaced David Silva, for me it’s another downgrade so that’s two downgrades in the midfield area.
I think this was why Pep liked playing with a false 9.
Did it work ,no, but it made sense he knew Chelsea would play a back 5 and 2 holding, even the front 3 dropping deep,he knew they would play on the break , so playing Sterling and Mahrez high and wide to try and stretch their block and create space in the middle for Foden, Bernardo, KDB to operate in with Gundogan feeding made complete sense. Playing no conventional dm when he knew they would play long balls in the channels by passsing c.m also made sense. Did the changes work obviously they didn’t but let not pretend there wasn’t a plan to it that made some sense.That 1 change completely changed the way we play.
Don't know if you've noticed but Gundogan isn't an holding midfielder and Foden was out of position.