Build up versus the Krauts

[dave watson's perm]

It will be interesting to see how we line up at the back. does Pep go for Walker in a more traditional RB role or play Stones in an inverted role.
I would like to see Walker, Stones Dias and Ake.

Pick the strongest team and no fannying about with multiple subs as was the case v Leicester (unless we're 10 up of course)

[Outcast]

Don't care about winning this as long as we win the tie and go through unscathed.

[nottsblue]

Don't care about winning this as long as we win the tie and go through unscathed.

Is usually the correct answer

But with a cup semi up next followed by the Arsenal game, a win breeds confidence to take into those games

[Harry Dowd scored]

Don't care about winning this as long as we win the tie and go through unscathed.

Is usually the correct answer

But with a cup semi up next followed by the Arsenal game, a win breeds confidence to take into those games

I get both views, however the confidence and momentum factors shade it for me, need to get through unscathed obviously, but a win and good performance is icing on a very nice cake.

[Original Dub]

This season in the champions league feels like the first time we genuinely believe we are the best and others should fear us. When we reached the final a couple of years ago and then last year reaching the semis, it felt like we wanted it more than ever, but that it was going to take everything we had... this time it feels like someone else will have to have the game of their lives to take it from us.

I think we need to only focus on our game and let the rest come to us.

[roddysaint]

You can just smell the Bayern Munich 4-1 (4-4agg) Manchester City (4-2pen) from here. This tie is far from over.

I wouldn't change much from the first leg. Maybe have Bernardo's energy in midfield over Gundogan, with Mahrez on the right to enjoy a bit more space than he usually gets in the league. Even that selection choice is debatable.

Bayern will probably go full tilt at us from the first whistle. We need to be ready to weather a storm. If they nick an early goal, they'll get the crowd up, and we all know how easily things can fall apart from there. Tuchel has a blueprint on how to overhaul this kind of deficit—last season, he was a Modric-Rodrygo moment of magic away from knocking out Madrid at the Bernabeu, coming from 3-1 down on aggregate. His Chelsea side changed shape, went for the throat, and had Madrid on the ropes. Fully expect Bayern to do the same.

Control is everything. If we can settle down on the ball, blunt Bayern's momentum and the crowd, and force them to chase it, it'll be a huge factor in progressing. No need to be overly concerned about penetration. They'll have to press us, and gaps will naturally open up. It's all up to Haaland to break his European away drought.

I'll gladly take a draw with no injuries. If we manage to get through here, we have an even more difficult semifinal.

[Nigels Tackle]

You can just smell the Bayern Munich 4-1 (4-4agg) Manchester City (4-2pen) from here. This tie is far from over.

I wouldn't change much from the first leg. Maybe have Bernardo's energy in midfield over Gundogan, with Mahrez on the right to enjoy a bit more space than he usually gets in the league. Even that selection choice is debatable.

Bayern will probably go full tilt at us from the first whistle. We need to be ready to weather a storm. If they nick an early goal, they'll get the crowd up, and we all know how easily things can fall apart from there. Tuchel has a blueprint on how to overhaul this kind of deficit—last season, he was a Modric-Rodrygo moment of magic away from knocking out Madrid at the Bernabeu, coming from 3-1 down on aggregate. His Chelsea side changed shape, went for the throat, and had Madrid on the ropes. Fully expect Bayern to do the same.

Control is everything. If we can settle down on the ball, blunt Bayern's momentum and the crowd, and force them to chase it, it'll be a huge factor in progressing. No need to be overly concerned about penetration. They'll have to press us, and gaps will naturally open up. It's all up to Haaland to break his European away drought.

I'll gladly take a draw with no injuries. If we manage to get through here, we have an even more difficult semifinal.

when was the last time we conceded 4 in a game that really mattered?

[Dunne's Half-Time Pint]

You can just smell the Bayern Munich 4-1 (4-4agg) Manchester City (4-2pen) from here. This tie is far from over.

I wouldn't change much from the first leg. Maybe have Bernardo's energy in midfield over Gundogan, with Mahrez on the right to enjoy a bit more space than he usually gets in the league. Even that selection choice is debatable.

Bayern will probably go full tilt at us from the first whistle. We need to be ready to weather a storm. If they nick an early goal, they'll get the crowd up, and we all know how easily things can fall apart from there. Tuchel has a blueprint on how to overhaul this kind of deficit—last season, he was a Modric-Rodrygo moment of magic away from knocking out Madrid at the Bernabeu, coming from 3-1 down on aggregate. His Chelsea side changed shape, went for the throat, and had Madrid on the ropes. Fully expect Bayern to do the same.

Control is everything. If we can settle down on the ball, blunt Bayern's momentum and the crowd, and force them to chase it, it'll be a huge factor in progressing. No need to be overly concerned about penetration. They'll have to press us, and gaps will naturally open up. It's all up to Haaland to break his European away drought.

I'll gladly take a draw with no injuries. If we manage to get through here, we have an even more difficult semifinal.

A lot of wordy bollocks there, bud.

It's very unlikely we'll concede 4 - as has been said - so there's nothing to smell except you quaffing your own farts.

[Harry Dowd scored]

This season in the champions league feels like the first time we genuinely believe we are the best and others should fear us. When we reached the final a couple of years ago and then last year reaching the semis, it felt like we wanted it more than ever, but that it was going to take everything we had... this time it feels like someone else will have to have the game of their lives to take it from us.

I think we need to only focus on our game and let the rest come to us.

Agree with this. I would add in the past, we have played to occasion rather than the match.

[nottsblue]

This season in the champions league feels like the first time we genuinely believe we are the best and others should fear us. When we reached the final a couple of years ago and then last year reaching the semis, it felt like we wanted it more than ever, but that it was going to take everything we had... this time it feels like someone else will have to have the game of their lives to take it from us.

I think we need to only focus on our game and let the rest come to us.

Agree with this. I would add in the past, we have played to occasion rather than the match.

Notice how Pep has advised the boys to play the 11 men of Bayern rather than the historic Bayern

Said exactly that before the first leg and if we did we would win. And it will be the same for the Madrid tie. Madrid the club are intimidating. Madrid the team are not