Because dortmund and psg play different to Chelsea.It is where he played them is the deciding factor as opposed to the PSG game.
But in both games he played a true DM and won both games, he didn't in the final and we lost and that is the answer, the question really is why?
So? Even Messi's had awful matches against elite competitions. I am not saying that KDB is always 10/10 in big matches, I am saying he, Foden, Dias and to lesser degree Zinchenko, Ederson and Walker tend to bring their A game against though competitions. It's easy to see just by their mentality, their intensity and body language. They like these type of games.Yet the player you bang the drum for was our worst attacking option until he went off injured, KDB was next to useless when on the pitch yesterday, was he carrying a knock?
It was undoubtedly the decision to not play Fernie or Rodri but to revert Gundy back to DM that cost us this game.
It really doesn't matter if Pep is the best manager in the world he still makes utter brain farts in this bastard competition, play your best fucking team and let them worry about us for a fucking change.
His recent record against OGS and now Tuchel is shocking and the first isn't good enough to manage an u9's youth team.
Players? Mentality? Leadership? Quality In Key Areas? All Of The Above?
Basically, can this be sorted with new players or does this go deeper and is it more of a mentality issue? If so, how do we move forward and sort this?
So?So? Even Messi's had awful matches against elite competitions. I am not saying that KDB is always 10/10 in big matches, I am saying he, Foden, Dias and to lesser degree Zinchenko, Ederson and Walker tend to bring their A game against though competitions. It's easy to see just by their mentality, their intensity and body language. They like these type of games.
KDB is by far our best player. Whenever you want to know which players are our BIG players, you go and ask to knowledgeable people who are fans of other teams in Europe. They'll only watch the important City's games, so they won't care if Sterling or Mahrez or whoever scored a hattrick against Crystal. And guess what? KDB is by far our best player to most of them.
Yes, Pep made a blunder, but the quality of the offensive was awful and that's not only Pep's fault. The intensity and attitude were even worse.
So?
You lecture me and then again end with a statement that doesn't apply to KDB yesterday, he was walking on that pitch, no intensity whatsoever either and I don't care if he is our best player (i never said he wasn't either for starters), walking in a champions league final is totally unacceptable, I then offered 'was he carrying a knock?' as a possible reason.
Actually, the quality of the attack was directly Pep's fault, he selected the team and formation that stopped it from working, no Fernie who not only offers options in defence but also drives forward in attack, an out of form Sterling getting the gig to go from the off, then probably just as bad was not changing it at half time when it was obvious it wasn't working and that is all on Pep.
But that would mean accepting he'd got it wrong, Pep is far too stubborn for that.The not changing it was criminal. I can’t believe he watched that first half and thought we were doing ok.
At 1-0 down and with lots of subs available I would have changed it then. Fern on, Jesus on, Cancelo on just for his attacking threat. Sterling off, Zinchenko off, Bernado off.
TrueBut that would mean accepting he'd got it wrong, Pep is far too stubborn for that.
Fantastic at winning national titles, decidedly average in the CL
I’m not sure Kane would have made a difference last night. Haaland and Lukaku would though I think. Haaland in particular is a beast.Just hope Pep realises we need a top striker. We’ve played great football and you’ve got to be happy with the season, but getting a Kane, Haaland or Lukaku would take us to the next level.
I honestly thought that he put that behind him after the 2nd leg against PSG. Keep it simple, trust your starting XI, force your opponent to adapt to your style, not the other way around. Tinker then in-game, if needed.Good post. TBH i cant see us ever winning the CL under Pep, everytime he cocks it up.
The false 9 scenario is absolutely unsustainable. It was an incredible achievement to win the league without a recognised striker but it isn't a credible option to take into next season. Teams will work out how to stop us if we persevere with that for much longer. We need a 30/40 goals a year man for the team to prosper and he has to be world class. Beyond that, there is very little wrong, in the general scheme of things.
The goal was fucking bizarre.None of those, actually and some posters using the defeat to have a dig at the usual scapegoats frankly make me laugh.
That Harvertz goal would have never happened with Fernandinho or Rodri on the pitch, and by letting them on the bench, Pep not only weakened his defense but also his attack.
He tied up Gundogan, who's not a defensive midfielder, forcing him to stay deeper thus having less influence on the game and cut off the defense from the attack, making the transitions ponderous, hazardous even, and constantly exposing the back four to Chelsea's counter-attacks. I've rarely seen you so disjointed.
I still can't fathom why he chose the most important game of the season, a one-off at that, to mess with a proven, league winner, starting XI. The system with the false 9 worked perfectly. The players had their habits, routines and partnerships. Everyone knew what they had to do on the pitch. The second leg against PSG should've put to bed any discussion about who's going to start, except maybe Fernandinho/Rodri. So why for the love of God, change that? Why not simply play your football?
I honestly thought that he would rectify his mistake at half-time, yet he persisted until one hour has passed and with this Chelsea team known for being a tough nut to crack, it was too little, too late. I said before the game that it was vital for you to get the first goal. By the time Fernandinho came on the damage was already done and Chelsea had a huge psychological advantage. Combined that with their well organized team and Kanté in the midfield and you just know that that one goal would be enough.
This Man City team had enough to see Chelsea through, even if it was never going to be easy. Talking about mentality, lack of striker or lack of leadership is simply shifting the problem. It's really heartbreaking, because I wanted Pep and this team to win the CL and put a definitive stamp on this footballing era.
Seems we'll have to wait a bit more.
No back four in the world would be able to resist during 90 minutes without a shield. You just can't put 6 attacking players and expect your defense to come out unscathed.The goal was fucking bizarre.
The rock solid Stones and Dias were nowhere to be seen.
The strange goings on in front of them from the 6 selected was affecting the back line.
In fairness we threw the fa cup this year and by we I mean Pep. Tiredness wasn't the reason we lost. Pep needs the domestic trophies others don't bother with to keep his rep in tact.One more thing..
Maybe we need to try taking the FA Cup and the league cup less seriously for a season, assuming the league is looking good.
Play the second string and the kids.
By the time we get far into the champions league we usually look knackered, like tonight.
The way we play, the amount of games we play doesn't help.
Doubt they'll want to try that though, passing on trophies, but if we really want the champions league then its worth the gamble imo.
Agreed. Leicester got the guy I wanted from Lille, Soumare. He will be class..