I’m officially bricking it. Just sorting out the cushions behind the sofa, putting the cat out of kicking reach and wishing it were 11pm!
We have nothing to lose. We were written off the day the groups were drawn, and look where we are now.... Enjoy it mate. Whatever the result, we’ve been great in the CL this season, facing some very tough sides. And Juventus are a another one. COYS!!
Yes mate, I have the utmost belief in our team and think we will get through tonight but with Matuidi and Dybala back for them its going to be squeaky bum time tonight.
Discipline will be necessary to protect whoever from the likes of Costa. Lamela should be good for a good 25 mins of ferocious MF pressing at the end, but he too will have to be disciplined. Moura for stretching tired legs at the end (Son will run them ragged at the start) . Wanyama to replace Dembele or Dier at the end. Starting XI ok, sub options similar. COYS
So would I. Need Dier to be on his best tonight - and also keep hold of his emotions. 11 v 11 will be hard enough.......
Thats a great way to look at it. This is why we are in the champions league to enjoy nights like this. Win, draw or lose we have already shown we are a force to be reckoned with.
It’s always going to be disappointiing to lose, but there’s no shame in going out to Juve. But if we play like we can, we are more than capable of beating them. They have to come at us. And we all know how good we are on the counter. Wembley will be rocking!
I sincerely hope we don't think of trying to sit back and grind out a draw. I still wake up in a cold sweat when that Inter match from 2013 pops into my subconscious once again...
Matuidi gives them much more of a presence in the midfield and allows Pjanic to operate more freely. Dier and Dembele will need to be at the top of their games this evening. The one weak spot is that Dybala, Higuain and Douglas Costa couldn't spell 'tracking back' if they had a hundred attempts to do so. If we play it sensible and hit them on the break, we can get numbers forward before they've had a chance to blink.