In the end we just need to win the next game. My ideal is still the other 2 draw again. This would I think put us on 9, Napoli on 6 and psg on 5. A draw v psg and we are through..... anything less though and we would be looking at Napoli bring ahead of us and psg having a very easy final game so Napoli then is a must win game. Win v red star. Draw v psg Draw with Napoli to win group.
It was a really slow start and Red Star pressed us from the off. But once we got going, we simply dominated. Good goals, created a lot chances and hardly gave them a sniff. We had 11 players on the pitch who are confident ball players. All can take the ball on the half turn and play progressively. It makes a huge difference. Obviously I’m going to be biased but after the slow start, I thought Fabinho was excellent. Defensively - his positioning was excellent. Seemed to be in the right place at the right time. The guy won 18 duels in one match - to put it into context, Hendo won 16 duels against Huddersfield, Man City, Napoli, Chelsea, Southampton, PSG, Spurs and Leicester combined. Further context: Average Duels WON per match this season (EPL). 7.0 lovren 5.4 vvd 4.3 milner 2.9 gini 1.9 hendo Offensively, his passing was progressive and forward looking. He receives the ball on the half turn and looks to play quickly. Had the ability to evade players and run with the ball. He passed the ball to one of our forwards with 31% of his passes. Average for Hendo and Wijnaldum are 12.6 and 12.9%.
The first 20 minutes of yesterday was poor. Imo this was because we were pressed and we were not expecting it - they caught us cold. We were all over the place with misplaced passes, silly tackles and really poor football. After that, we got our rhythm and didn’t look back. Our one touch football started....we still looked rusty at times but it looked better. Shaq was the creator. And he tracked back. Fabhino started very slowly but by the end he was running midfield. Alisson could have ha a nap..not a save to make The only new boy missing was Keita. Mane often holds the ball too long, The ball is still bouncing off Salah’s shins occasionally and Firminho has lacked his usual cutting self - and the three together have been a long way off last season - so this game should help them all take a step forward. Lallana has returned, Sturridge is a useful sub.... And don’t forget that both our captain and vice captain were missing - the latter had driven our success through the start of the season. Gomez is a revelation. VvD has held us all together.....and we have ‘one of the best defenders in the world’ on the bench. Our team is transforming and has been developing with a few glitches but overall, we are ok - and this game would have helped, regardless of quality of opposition.
If Dortmund win their group, it means Atletico are second. Traditionally we struggle against top quality teams that defend deep and break with real quality and are better against teams who are more open. Just saying
That was more ****ing like it. Doesn't matter that they were ****e. We did what we had to and then some. Not read any of the previous posts yet. There's bound to be someone whingeing. I'm sure we'll get out of this group after that
The first 15 mins were awful they seemed to want it more but we got through it and played well, all good.
I reckon you'll end up eating those words about Fabinho. He got better and better and it's his first full game. I reckon he'll be great
The one touch football is almost back. We could do with another large win on Saturday and have a whole week to prep for the gunners.
Posting during a game is different mate, I'm not proof reading **** then It's actually rare for me to post during a game but last night's game was dull as **** for large periods.
