We started our Champions League campaign with a win over Athletic Club, thanks to a brilliant goal from Martinelli and another one from Trossard. We go again today against Olympiacos, hoping we repeat the performance and keep our winning run. With the new format, it’s going to get complicated after the group stage when only the first 8 teams qualify for the next round, while next 16 teams would have to play 2 extra games among each other to qualify for the next round. We saw some big names eliminated last year in the group stage, and we certainly don’t want that for ourselves.
So, a win is a must.
Here’s the problem with Champions League though. Teams from other leagues do not necessarily play your crap possession based football. They can park the bus, play on counter, lose 2 players in the opposition box for whole 90 minutes, which creates a conundrum for the managers like Pep and Mikel. The possession based, high pressing football only works if the other teams play the same way – primary reason we have been able to play good football against the City and Liverpool but do not have any answers to the low blocks. Galatasaray stunned Liverpool last night and Tottenham had to share points with Bodo/Glimt – so it already has started.
So, what’s our options? Go and have fun with an attacking mindset and free Gyokeres from the defensive duty. Someone (I think Neville) pointed out that with a back 4 of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and Calafiori, you don’t need your forwards to do the dirty defensive work. Now, this goes against the principle of Mikel but lets just try out.
Playing XI is out
MLS is back in XI, which was expected considering Calafiori is starting every Premier League game. Odegaard is back, while Rice sits on bench. I have changed my mind, I think Rice should be the one starting as DM instead of Zubimendi with Merino and Odegaard on either side. But, it is what it is.
Saka gets some rest, he still needs to get back his fitness. Martinelli starts at the RW, Trossard keeps his place while Gyokeres starts up top. It’s good to see Ben White back in the line up, hopefully Martinelli gets some support from him.
Right, I will keep it a very short one today, game is about an hour away. I will go with a 3-0 to the boys, Gyokeres grabbing 2 of them and Martinelli scoring the third.
See you in the comments.
should be a cake walk, but that’s why you play the games…not a big fan of the starting 11, but it should be more than enough
Saliba is looking very animates from the first minute, new contract effect?
How can Martinelli miss that. Shite header.
Marts is going to find himself even further down the pecking order if he continues to miss those opportunities, especially with MA’s “headers only” goalscoring strategy
Ambarish—I agree with your CL sentiments, especially when it comes to seemingly overmatched sides who, more often than not, will low block the shit out of you when they’re away from home…MA will generally try to beat them with blunt force instead of with skill, which is why Ethan isn’t playing
that’s what MA would refer to as a Messi in his prime goal…for me it was messy but a tally nonetheless
That’s what Gyokeres will do to the defenders for years to come. It was his goal, Martinelli will just get the name.
if Ode could tighten his shit up this could be a great opportunity for him to shine…so far he’s been as loose as a Vegas whore
trvl
We are playing much better today. Long it may continue.
it has more to do with our opponents than anything else…fuck me, they already look tired
Haha very well could be.
Probably not.. what a save from Raya.
That save from Raya is as much a match winner as a goal.
Couldn’t agree more Marc.
Martinelli is lethal when he runs like that. It’s such a shame we haven’t used it often. Klopp loved him for these kinda runs.
Marts completely loses his vision when he’s played on his weaker side…he should have sent VG in on a break
The commentators on TNT talking about Arsenal being in the mix for the CL as well as PL and then the words that will keep Captain Fuckwit awake – “they’ve got the squad now there’s no excuse”.
These CL refs don’t fancy cry babies.. you are playing a contact sport for fuck sake. Stop whining every now and then – play on.
And Gyok should have returned the favor.
That Greek “Super” League is shit, but Oly have made a habit of making life difficult for much better sides on occasion in Europe…I was surprised to hear that they haven’t qualified for the CL in 5 years, so I’m assuming Paok has been the more dominant side in recent years
VG’s going to have a tough time scoring the required amount of goals if he continues to be so loose on the ball when on the break
how was that not given as a corner?