What Is lacking?

[D'Silva]

Yes and no. If you are mainly a defensive team, you don't need stars, only a very physical and tactically disciplined squad and manager, but we are not a defensive team. In the last 10 years:

11-12: Chelsea, defensive without stars (Drogba, Lampard and Terry were already way passed their prmes). Also, this was a miracle.
12-13: Bayern --> Robben, Ribbery, Neuer, Lahm (top 10-15 players in the world), Kroos and even Muller were top 30.
13-14: Madrid---> Ronaldo, Benzema, Ramos, Modric, Kroos, Marcelo, even Di Maria are all top 20-30 players.
14-15--> Barca: Neymar, Suarez, Messi, Iniesta, Dani Alves all top players .
15-18 ---> Madrid: same as 13-14 Madrid - Di Maria + Bale.
18-19 : Liverpool: Salah, VVD, Mane, and at least for this season Robertson and TAA.
19-20 Bayern: Lewandowski, Kimmich, Neuer, and maybe Gnabry, Muller, Davies.
20-21: Chelsea, mostly a defensive and well-organized team.

I am not talking about Messi, Neymar, Mbappe,Ronaldo type of star. But if you want to win offensively, you need at least 3-4 top 20-30 players in the world (with 2 being in the top 10-15).

Have you seen any of those teams do City's run to the final like we did? Only drawing once and barely conceding. We've had a far better run to the finals than any of those teams aside from Bayern who won all their reduced 11 matches last year. The thing with finals is they are always a toss up even how good you are. The CL is also a tournament where you can draw all your knockout ties and the final and still win the tournament. We were 1 match win away from a nearly flawless CL campaign. We are more than good enough to win this competition. If we can lose a FA cup final against Wigan we can certainly lose a CL final against Chelsea. It's not that complicated.

 

[leo_city]

Belief

 

[bluemoon32]

Belief

If beating PSG home and away doesn't give us belief then nothing will

 

[leo_city]

If beating PSG home and away doesn't give us belief then nothing will

It's game by game. I think belief from Pep if anything, less so from players.

 

[bluemoon32]

It's game by game. I think belief from Pep if anything, less so from players.

Maybe so, the players just didn't look happy, comfortable or relaxed against Chelsea.
Whether that was because the players didn't have faith in Pep's tactics or they just couldn't handle the occasion is anyone's guess

 

[nellyonthewing]

Maybe so, the players just didn't look happy, comfortable or relaxed against Chelsea.
Whether that was because the players didn't have faith in Pep's tactics or they just couldn't handle the occasion is anyone's guess

The first time Chelsea got easily in amongst our defence panic set in. The lack of DM was there for all to see plus a reluctance to tackle presumably in fear of an over zealous ref added to the slow mo destruction of our back line.

 

[blue whippet]

Maybe so, the players just didn't look happy, comfortable or relaxed against Chelsea.
Whether that was because the players didn't have faith in Pep's tactics or they just couldn't handle the occasion is anyone's guess

Your first line sums the game up nicely for me. There has been a huge amount of discussion on tactics, players and formations and it has all been interesting but ultimately I find I those three words happy, comfortable and relaxed capture the essence of the game for me.

 

[leo_city]

Maybe so, the players just didn't look happy, comfortable or relaxed against Chelsea.
Whether that was because the players didn't have faith in Pep's tactics or they just couldn't handle the occasion is anyone's guess

Think the occasion may have been a factor but I think the tactics threw them off. Don't think they don't believe in Pep's ways or whatever but on the day it looked like a lack of preparation

 

[northstandgiveusasong]

Pep despite his rightful criticism definitely wanted it, the players will have wanted it.

I think a combination of players playing the occasion rather than the team in front of them (John Stones springs to mind for starters, he looked very nervous) which is OK, it's a totally new scenario.

Secondly however, being expected to perform in a system they weren't altogether used to with not one of Rodri or Gundogan to support.

This is obviously not OK and in fact unacceptable considering the hard work and concentration we put in getting to reach the final in the first place.

 

[BlueMoonz1977]

Imo we need another player or two in attack who can beat a man in the dribble. One of the reasons why Foden has been so good is that he can take a man on. Really only Mahrez can do that at this point and they just doubles up on him and took it to him physically. With 7 men behind the ball it will always be difficult to pass our way through. Sometimes you just need to beat a man to force the back line to shift

Agree with that point, we do lack this on the wings - yes mahrez can actually take on his marker but he has to receive the ball out wide as fast as possible in order to be left isolated 1v1 - as soon as he gets double marked it is too late

Sterling on the other flank is not even giving that threat. He doesn't have the ability to take his man on with skill - sterling beating a man is based solely on pace alone and with the current formation of the low block we now face week in, week out then it basically leaves him next to useless

Hence why I honestly think bringing in someone who can allow us to attack the wb and beat him or even when double marked is what is missing. Sane was awesome at it, he could actually take 2 players out of the game on that side - hence why when he received the ball you could sense the fear from the oppo defence when he was in possession

We actually have 2 already who can do it, Foden and Torres both have this ability. Going to be interesting next season in how we set up. I honestly think if sterling stays he may find himself being left out because Phil will kick on next season even more, and he is already at a higher level than sterling already