Real Madrid v Manchester City (Champions League, tonight, 4th May)

[The Real Maroonblood]

2 minutes ago, briever said:

Liverpool v Spurs - Man City v Newcastle
Aston Villa v Liverpool - Wolves v Man City
Southampton v Liverpool - West Ham v Man City
Liverpool v Wolves - Man City v Aston Villa

Similar run ins - it's citeh's to lose.

It certainly is.

[I P Knightley]

2 hours ago, Under the floodlight said:

3 of the semi final teams were the super league wannabees, the European equivalent to the OF.The demise of these clubs can't come to soon for me.

Agreed. With Villareal putting up such a good show, it's even harder now to argue for a super league.

 

2 hours ago, The Maroon Pound said:

Thought City were rotten in extra time just never created or looked like scoring , don't think Real keeper had anything to do, Pep will be out the door if he doesn't win the league, just shows you how overrated football player's are, 100 million for Jack Grealish, nice hair though

Carlo Ancelotti has an incredible record getting results and had his team well versed last night especially when going in front, the final could well go to penalties 

City have ruined Grealish.

Priced him out of the market both in transfer fee and salary so no other club will touch him and they didn't need him. No doubting he's a great player and would be a fantastic back-up for Barrie McKay but City didn't need him to make them any better so he's limited to bit part appearances. But, then, clubs that would really benefit from having him and would help him develop aren't going to be able to afford him.

[RustyRightPeg]

4 minutes ago, Smithee said:

 

He's a dead man walking, he must know it.

 

He's been there 6 years with all the money in the world and he keeps failing at the big target. He's pissed a 9 figure sum on a player who didn't even start and made no difference when he came on, they still don't have a proper striker. It's actually pretty ridiculous when you think about it.

The whole striker thing gets to me how he goes on about not needing one. It’s funny how Aguero scored shed loads for him. 
 

He spunked £100M on an average player who doesn’t really have a position, he carries the ball, takes 3 touches too many every time he has it then looks for a foul. If he didn’t bother and spoke nicely to his chairman he could’ve had Kane for an extra £20M or so. It’s madness & makes no sense to me. 

[Pasquale for King]

7 minutes ago, I P Knightley said:

Agreed. With Villareal putting up such a good show, it's even harder now to argue for a super league.

 

City have ruined Grealish.

Priced him out of the market both in transfer fee and salary so no other club will touch him and they didn't need him. No doubting he's a great player and would be a fantastic back-up for Barrie McKay but City didn't need him to make them any better so he's limited to bit part appearances. But, then, clubs that would really benefit from having him and would help him develop aren't going to be able to afford him.

They didn’t kidnap him though, he was more than happy to go there and get paid the wage you mention. He’s not the brightest either. 
Kane would’ve been a far better signing but he’s not exactly got a track record of showing up in huge games either. 

[briever]

12 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

The whole striker thing gets to me how he goes on about not needing one. It’s funny how Aguero scored shed loads for him. 
 

He spunked £100M on an average player who doesn’t really have a position, he carries the ball, takes 3 touches too many every time he has it then looks for a foul. If he didn’t bother and spoke nicely to his chairman he could’ve had Kane for an extra £20M or so. It’s madness & makes no sense to me. 

 

Jesus is a cracking striker.

[the general]

18 minutes ago, Smithee said:

 

He's a dead man walking, he must know it.

 

He's been there 6 years with all the money in the world and he keeps failing at the big target. He's pissed a 9 figure sum on a player who didn't even start and made no difference when he came on, they still don't have a proper striker. It's actually pretty ridiculous when you think about it.

 

Really doubt he is

[Wee Mikey]

1 minute ago, briever said:

 

Jesus is a cracking striker.

 

Jesus strikes; Gordon saves.

[Unknown user]

2 minutes ago, the general said:

 

Really doubt he is

We'll see, I don't think he'll be there next season

[the general]

Just now, Smithee said:

We'll see, I don't think he'll be there next season

 

I think if City get their centre forward he will be staying

But like you say we will see

[Under the floodlight]

2 minutes ago, Wee Mikey said:

 

Jesus strikes; Gordon saves.

Save us Jeebus.😎

[Pasquale for King]

5 minutes ago, briever said:

 

Jesus is a cracking striker.

Hardly plays him though 🤷🏾‍♂️

[Pasquale for King]

Just now, Under the floodlight said:

Save us Jeebus.😎

Always amazed at how many folk don’t get that when I say it 🤦🏽😆. 

[Unknown user]

5 minutes ago, briever said:

 

Jesus is a cracking striker.

 

8 goals in 25 EPL games this season suggests they could do better

[Under the floodlight]

Just now, Pasquale for King said:

Always amazed at how many folk don’t get that when I say it 🤦🏽😆. 

Doh 😊

[RustyRightPeg]

7 minutes ago, briever said:

 

Jesus is a cracking striker.

I think so too, he’s still relatively young and goes through patches. He scored 5 or 6 in his last 3 games prior to last night but then was a ghost last night. 
 

Wouldn’t surprise me to see him end up at Arsenal. 

[The Real Maroonblood]

Just now, Smithee said:

 

8 goals in 25 EPL games this season suggests they could do better

Are they still interested in Haaland?

[John Findlay]

33 minutes ago, Smithee said:

 

He's a dead man walking, he must know it.

 

He's been there 6 years with all the money in the world and he keeps failing at the big target. He's pissed a 9 figure sum on a player who didn't even start and made no difference when he came on, they still don't have a proper striker. It's actually pretty ridiculous when you think about it.

Yet they top their league. It really is ridiculous like you say.

[John Findlay]

1 hour ago, McGlynn The Money said:

 

 

That "very poor Madrid team" that wrapped up their domestic title in April.

 

Has the top scorer in the Champions League with 14 goals, Karim Benzema.

 

Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world in Courtois.

 

Top class players with bags of experience like Modric, Kroos, Casemiro and Alaba.

 

Exciting young talents like Vini, Rodrygo, Camavinga and Valverde.

 

Maybe football isn't for you if you think they are very poor.

 

If you can argue that Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world, then I suggest you go into politics.

[dougal]

8 minutes ago, John Findlay said:

If you can argue that Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world, then I suggest you go into politics.

Courtois isn't even the best goalkeeper in Madrid.

[Pasquale for King]

21 minutes ago, RustyRightPeg said:

I think so too, he’s still relatively young and goes through patches. He scored 5 or 6 in his last 3 games prior to last night but then was a ghost last night. 
 

Wouldn’t surprise me to see him end up at Arsenal. 

58 goals in 96 starts isn’t a bad record, rumours are he will go to Arsenal this summer when City sign Haaland for his buy out clause of £68m. 

[Jeff]

6 minutes ago, dougal said:

Courtois isn't even the best goalkeeper in Madrid.

 

The only keeper I've ever seen in the CL duck from the ball

[Pasquale for King]

Has to be reason for this?

[Riccarton3]

Foden missed his big chance. Won't play at a higher level than Man City

[John Findlay]

7 minutes ago, Riccarton3 said:

Foden missed his big chance. Won't play at a higher level than Man City

Which level(s), are currently higher than Man City?

[Nookie Bear]

7 minutes ago, Riccarton3 said:

Foden missed his big chance. Won't play at a higher level than Man City

 

Not many higher levels than Man City tbf

 

He isn't a striker though. Obviously Pep knows more than we do but it still doesn't look effective to play without a recognised #9.

[Seymour M Hersh]

1 hour ago, Wee Mikey said:

 

Jesus strikes; Gordon saves.

 

And Robbo nets the rebound. 

[Riccarton3]

22 minutes ago, John Findlay said:

Which level(s), are currently higher than Man City?

Good point. Hadn't really thought that through. 

 

 

[Jeffros Furios]

1 hour ago, dougal said:

Courtois isn't even the best goalkeeper in Madrid.

Oblak has been one of the top goalies for a number of years .

He probably  needs a new challenge just to prove he is the best. 

He reminds me of myself .

[I P Knightley]

1 hour ago, Pasquale for King said:

They didn’t kidnap him though, he was more than happy to go there and get paid the wage you mention. He’s not the brightest either. 
 

Of course not. I wouldn't have turned it down, either. He thought he was doing his childhood club a favour by netting them £100m (which they spunked up a wall) and he's made for life financially. It's just football-wise that he's come out poorly; he was better being the big fish in the small pond, starting regularly and putting himself in the frame for more England caps.

 

 

1 hour ago, briever said:

 

Jesus is a cracking striker.

...something about crosses... But Jonesy got there first. Bah!

[McGlynn The Money]

1 hour ago, John Findlay said:

If you can argue that Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world, then I suggest you go into politics.

 

Just my opinion but one which happens to be shared by a lot of pundits and former players who watch him every week. I'm sure you know better than them though...

[upgotheheads]

I didn't watch the game live but here are the highlights for anyone else who hasn't seen them yet.

 

I hope Hearts are checking on Rodrigo's contract situation.

 

 

Real Madrid v Man City (3-1) | PURE DRAMA! AMAZING COMEBACK! | Champions League Highlights | Watch (msn.com)

[John Findlay]

22 minutes ago, McGlynn The Money said:

 

Just my opinion but one which happens to be shared by a lot of pundits and former players who watch him every week. I'm sure you know better than them though...

In this case, a definite yes.

[Pasquale for King]

42 minutes ago, I P Knightley said:

Of course not. I wouldn't have turned it down, either. He thought he was doing his childhood club a favour by netting them £100m (which they spunked up a wall) and he's made for life financially. It's just football-wise that he's come out poorly; he was better being the big fish in the small pond, starting regularly and putting himself in the frame for more England caps.

 

 

...something about crosses... But Jonesy got there first. Bah!

He might well end up back there in the not too distant future, not entirely sure Southgate is that keen on him either. 
 

[McGlynn The Money]

2 hours ago, dougal said:

Courtois isn't even the best goalkeeper in Madrid.

 

1 hour ago, Jeffros Furios said:

Oblak has been one of the top goalies for a number of years .

He probably  needs a new challenge just to prove he is the best. 

He reminds me of myself .

 

Oblak has been very poor this season. One of the many reasons why Atleti are having such a dreadful season. On current form Courtois is way ahead of him.

 

[jam doughnut]

Unfortunately for City, De Bruyne who often makes the difference was poor by his high standards. Casemiro taking him out early on maybe didn’t help. 
 

Agree that Grealish has been a strange signing though even in his usual late on cameo appearance he was their biggest goal threat. One desperate clearance off the line and Courtois’s big toe the difference between glory and despair. Fine margins. 

[Mikey1874]

Confirmed Liverpool are getting 19,618 tickets for final at 75,000 capacity stadium in Paris. 

 

Hospitality tickets available from £4,178. 

[briever]

3 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

Confirmed Liverpool are getting 19,618 tickets for final at 75,000 capacity stadium in Paris. 

 

Hospitality tickets available from £4,178. 

That's shocking.

 

[Debut 4]

Again, the substitution fad played its part, imo.  
 

Ok, you need to make forced changes sometimes but I feel managers everywhere are in this zone of making 3 subs that leave you wondering…why?

 

He took off De Bruyne and goalscorer Mahrez. Same with Celtic at the weekend.  They make 3 changes and lose all rhythm which handed Rangers the initiative. 
 

Just a football view , I could’nt care less about City or Celtic, but these things just grate me in essence. 

 

 

[Mikey1874]

4 minutes ago, briever said:

That's shocking.

 

 

They sell 12,000 tickets to anyone (now closed) and 23,000 go to associations, sponsors etc. 

 

Equivalent would be us getting around 12,000 for Cup final. 

Edited May 5, 2022 by Mikey1874

[tian447]

16 minutes ago, Mikey1874 said:

Confirmed Liverpool are getting 19,618 tickets for final at 75,000 capacity stadium in Paris. 

 

Hospitality tickets available from £4,178. 

 

 

You could have 2 Hospitality Season tickets in the Gorgie Suite for less than that.  Add the cost of travel and hotels, and you could almost have 2 Season tickets in the Skyline Lounge, which includes 4 course meals!

 

No single football match is worth 4 grand.

[Thomaso]

17 hours ago, The Ultimate Worrier said:

 

Watch it properly. Salah grabs the arm of Ramos first but comes off second best.

 

Also look out for Virgil Van Dijk pushing Ramos into Karius and Karius 

suffering a head injury in the process.

Have a look at Ramos disciplinary record  - thug!

 

[Mikey1874]

6 minutes ago, Thomaso said:

Have a look at Ramos disciplinary record  - thug!

 

 

Salah does cheat less now but was one of the worst when he was crying then. 

[The Real Maroonblood]

8 minutes ago, Thomaso said:

Have a look at Ramos disciplinary record  - thug!

 

27 red cards.

Says it all.

[The Old Tolbooth]

It's magic seeing City choke with all the money they spend, Pep has to be under scrutiny now surely, he can't deliver the big one! 

[Thomaso]

Just now, Mikey1874 said:

 

Salah does cheat less now but was one of the worst when he was crying then. 

What has that to do with Ramos horrendous disciplinary record? 🤔

[Thomaso]

3 minutes ago, The Real Maroonblood said:

27 red cards.

Says it all.

235 career yellow cards! 😏

[The Real Maroonblood]

3 minutes ago, Thomaso said:

235 career yellow cards! 😏

Dearie me.

[AlimOzturk]

14 minutes ago, The Old Tolbooth said:

It's magic seeing City choke with all the money they spend, Pep has to be under scrutiny now surely, he can't deliver the big one! 

He will be the best manager they will ever manage to get imo. 

[The Ultimate Worrier]

3 hours ago, Thomaso said:

Have a look at Ramos disciplinary record  - thug!

 

 

Irrelevant in this case. Salah tried to mix it with a bigger and stronger man and came off second best. 

 

[RobNox]

9 hours ago, Mikey1874 said:

Confirmed Liverpool are getting 19,618 tickets for final at 75,000 capacity stadium in Paris. 

 

Hospitality tickets available from £4,178. 

All the more reason to say eff off to the proposal to scrap 2 leg SFs and play the SF and Final over a week at the designated venue.

 

The one-off SF would see real fans get little over half of the tickets while the rest go to corporate / hospitality.

 

Just look at the RM fans last night in a packed out Bernabeu.  Lucky if a quarter of them would get tickets for a neutral venue.  Likewise when Liverpool came from 3-0 down to beat Barca 4-0 in the 2nd leg at Anfield.  Most of those Liverpool fans would not have got tickets for a one-legged SF.