Thanks to the penalty, in an otherwise lackluster performance from us, in the first leg for keeping us in the tie. At home, against Leverkusen, all we have to do is to score first and Leverkusen would have no chance to penetrate our defence.
But, would I love a 1-0 to Arsenal? Fucking no. I expect us to go there and play some attacking shite, score 3 goals and go into the quarters with some confidence. Parking the bus after 1-0 may help us today but we would be playing the likes of Madrid or PSG if we move ahead and that game plan isn’t gonna work.
Am I sounding too positive in assuming that we are going to win? Maybe!
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Playing XI is out. Raya starts in the goal, Ben White is back in place of Timber, Saliba, Gabriel and Hincapie keeps their places. Not sure how serious Jurrien’s injury is, but hopefully he will be back with the team.
Mikel is a stubborn cunt so he starts both Rice and Zubimendi in the midfield along with Eze. Gyokeres start up top, with Saka and Trossard on the wings.
Looks like a decent line up. The only change couple have been Saka in the midfield and Madueke starting on the right wing but otherwise I am happy to see Gyokeres getting a start ahead of Jesus and Havertz.
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Some very interesting games today apart from ours. Chelsea v PSG (2-5) and City v Madrid (0-3) will see two of the contenders out of the league by the time our game is over.
I will keep it short today, see you during the game.
Cheers
I’m trying to imagine what Marts might look like if he had a LB like Grimaldo on his side
Leverkusen shouldn’t be underestimated – they’re capable of hurting us.
We’re defending well but it only takes one slip or seven if you’re Chelsea.
Rice Rice Baby
We are going to the quarter finals.. #COYG
A very well taken intelligent finish and game over.
Btw Chelsea are 2-8 down now .
Ambarish
As much as we might find that funny a rampant PSG finding form is not good if you think we’ve got a serious chance of winning the CL.
all setup by a reckless no look pass in the box by Garcia…he’s clearly been impacted by our more narrow approach tonight…they were so good with their wide side coverage last week, but they seemed ill-prepared for what would be required with Tross tucked inside, which is likely why he got so many kicks at the can…of course they were the lowest seeded CL side and are clearly in a transitional phase, but they have accounted themselves well considering
Marc—Liam is getting rightfully schooled
That’s not a goal.
TRVL
When I said he was doing a decent job it was off a stat showing the results he’d picked up since taking over (only lost to us if I remember correctly) and considering the absolute basket case Chelsea and its squad are.
Since then they seem to be unable to string two passes together.
I know it looks as if this one’s done and dusted but wtf is VG doing on that 4 on 2
I really think we need to give Saka a rest where we have an opportunity – he’s been too injury prone the last couple of seasons and there’s still a lot of football to be played.
Marc—I’m just breaking your balls, I know what you were saying, as context matters…I just don’t think he was quite ready for that particular appointment, especially in light of their quick hook tendencies…hopefully this won’t be a two steps forward, 4 steps backward gig for him
TRVL
Mate as someone who will gladly give it out I do firmly believe in being able to take it back in good humour.
Fantastic save.
Raya’s the real deal…too bad it took so long and cost so much just to get someone equal to Emi
Sporting should be the easiest of the lot in quarter finals.
Oi, squeaky Vera, Leverkusen weren’t the lowest ranked team in the round of 16. And after the first legs, even less so said the supercomputer.
You imagine things to keep yourself.in misery. Or you make things up. Daft and dishonest.
Before the Everton game I said
“For me the title will be won or lost in our next 5 league games, a period when we have 4 home games v Everton , Bournemouth, Newcastle and Fulham with city away .”
City dropping points at West Ham was a nice bonus and gives Arsenal a little more breathing space , city have Chelsea away next in the league who may look like they are falling off a cliff but in 4 weeks time I’d expect them to be ready to give City a tough game, the same weekend we have Bournemouth and then it is on to the etihad for what could be the decisive league game with all the pressure on City , a match that City will have to win to stand any chance of winning the title.
If city beat chelsea and Arsenal they will well and truly be in the title race and having no European games will work in their favour.
City’s next 4 games will determine their season,
Arsenal…. league cup final
Liverpool away ….fa cup
Chelsea away…..Premier league
Arsenal home ….Premier league.
The question is how have their recent results affected their confidence going into such a tough and crucial run of games, recently they have lost both games to Real Madrid and drew with relegation threatened Nottingham Forest at home and west ham away, so to all sense and purposes it looks like they are falling apart but I’m not so sure.
What has happened at City recently is that luck has deserted them at crucial times , I watched the forest and west ham games and on another day they would have walked away with maximum points, the silva hand ball and red card last night put paid to any comeback against Real Madrid.
If I’m honest I’m not overly bothered on the outcome of the league cup final as we have bigger fish to fry , the pressure is all on City as they know that another negative result means their season is starting to crumble, whereas Arsenal can go into the final with confidence and belief , especially as City haven’t beaten Arsenal in 6 games , something that has gone largely unnoticed by the media.
Arteta will see the final as a way of putting another nail in the city coffin in his pursuit of being the dominant team in the country. Although winning the trophy is important I would say that for Arteta and the Arsenal players it is more about beating City who look like they are drowning and if we can keep our foot on their neck metaphorically speaking then it will give them as much pleasure as picking up the league cup.
Leverkusen are currently 6th in the Bundesliga playing against the top team in England (at the moment). Not a David vs Goliath contest but one where AFC should have won comfortably and by all accounts they did.
Sporting currently second in their league and on their day can pull off some good results. Financially they are extremely well run and their system of producing players and purchasing cheap provides success.
We should make it through to the semi final where we could meet stiffer opposition – RM, PSG & Bayern are all possibilities we could be meeting.