Be 4 up done and dusted at half time really, but Sterling has probably his poorest game for a while - fluffed his lines infront of goal, and inexplicably floated a ball in to Mahrez in the second half for what should of been a simple finish (had it been on the deck)
They will take heart from the fact they go into the second leg with a chance, but yet again we make things more difficult for ourselves by getting a bit too comfortable - their goal coming from a loose ball by De Bruyne (Sterling against Wolves), Otamendi who didn’t know if he was coming or going (same as Wolves) and Bravo, who had a lot to do but didn’t quite get the angles right (same as Wolves)
Perhaps I’m being overly critical after a 1-3 derby win 😂 Our first half was spot on, and it’s great to see Bernardo back after his dip in form/ suspension - but they should be sat in the home dressing room now with the tie already over but for the formality of a second leg. Still. Very much ours to lose
Shouldn’t of given them a sniff
posted on 8/1/20
comment by gunnersaurus rex (U21846)
posted 51 minutes ago
what formation did you play last night? was it 3 or 4 at the back?
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4 which turned into a three when in possession, the fullbacks were doing different things when they went took turns going into midfield though. Walker kept wide, which is why we were creating the overload on the right wing constantly. Mendy was more like the inverted role zinchenko plays and was going into the middle, which stopped any passing through the lines and why we were getting the ball back quickly
Second half, that changed though and Mendy stayed in the normal left back position for most of it, as United started (finally) to try and get the ball wider when they were transitioning. Doing that is what then caused the goal as the midfield and defence were both spread out and Mendy wasn’t covering the inside channel.
posted on 8/1/20
Sergio and Jesus are wonderful players but against top teams I think playing Sterling down the middle and having Mahrez and another winger basically makes you almost unplayable.
I think a front 3 of Sane...Sterling....Mahrez supported by Debruyne, Silva & Rodri could do a lot of damage to Real Madrid.
posted on 8/1/20
Thought walker had a good game.. clearly a leader in the dressing room.
posted on 8/1/20
comment by gunnersaurus rex (U21846)
posted 1 minute ago
Sergio and Jesus are wonderful players but against top teams I think playing Sterling down the middle and having Mahrez and another winger basically makes you almost unplayable.
I think a front 3 of Sane...Sterling....Mahrez supported by Debruyne, Silva & Rodri could do a lot of damage to Real Madrid.
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Doubt sane will be ready. But would be a good set up.
posted on 8/1/20
comment by Blue_mooning (U12093)
posted 3 seconds ago
Thought walker had a good game.. clearly a leader in the dressing room.
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Your most improvised player this season with Gundagon.
posted on 8/1/20
Walker did have a good game. Both our FBs still give it away so cheaply at times though... Mahrez starting to settle in too I think, getting a few glimpses of what life without Leroy will hold
posted on 8/1/20
Shouldn't have
Mutant Manc
posted on 8/1/20
Mahrez and his quick feet is actually a nightmare for fullbacks. His end product and passing could be better but he wrongfoots a fullback once he gets in the mood. Sane with his raw direct pace and quick feet also wrongfoots fullbacks.
Sterling is a different sort of winger and ever since he started scoring goals he is stuck between trying to find a pass and trying to fashion a goal and he is not as good coming from the left.
The false 9 position will suit him better in the future and allows Debruyne to occupy that space and gets the best out of the belgian.
Your passing keeps getting better fast, crisp and allows the defence to relax. When Laporte comes back in and Mendy and Stones cut out the errors, then your passing game will go up a notch and you will start to play teams of the park.
Its difficult to know how consistently you can do that without David Silva who has been your best player under Pep in my opinion.
posted on 8/1/20
Dont like to be negative after a derby win. But sterling really does lose his head v rags and liverpool. Hopefully just needs a goal to put it right and it comes in 2nd leg.
posted on 8/1/20
comment by Blue_mooning (U12093)
posted 28 minutes ago
Dont like to be negative after a derby win. But sterling really does lose his head v rags and liverpool. Hopefully just needs a goal to put it right and it comes in 2nd leg.
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Especially away. Not sure he’s scored at either? Although he worked his nuts off at Anfield last time, had the better of TAA a few times just didn’t happen for him