🔥 W I N N E R S 🔥 UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Retail Madrid (0) 1 - 2 Arsenal (3) (2nd Leg) | Wednesday, 16th April | KO: 20:00 BST | TNT Sports

Who is cracking open the new thread for the return leg?

 

[MikelHadADream]

That is what stood out to me the most actually, Real Madrid defending like a team from the late 90s/early 2000s. Totally just relying on the individual brilliance of their stars to create moments of magic while barely giving a **** on the defensive end.

Obviously they'll win stuff just through the undeniable quality of their players but you do have to wonder if it's sustainable in modern football where work rate and off the ball stuff is just as important as the things we used to value the most.

I think the mentality (paired with the best players in the world), trumps tactics even still. It’s why they’re still winning champions leagues even post the Ronaldo/Benzema/Modric/Ramos ect super team.

 

[Amsterdam Gooner 88]

i'm too concerned about tonight to laugh at this sh*t. i do not trust the ref with this bunch of cheating cvnts

 

[MartiSaka]

I have confidence on merino he been really good. However kiwi this will be the bigger test in his career he'll have to keep his cool just like 1st leg

There were a few critical points in that first half; one of them being in the first minute when a nervous, loose kiwi pass led to a good madrid opportunity. Luckily they were not clinical.

 

[HagnSprayGooners]

i'm too concerned about tonight to laugh at this sh*t. i do not trust the ref with this bunch of cheating cvnts

The ref has a really good record in Madrid games apparently, no dodgy errors.

 

[Jasinho]

This is absolutely killing me! And it's something we absolutely need to be concerned about, Real and Barca have gotten some wild calls in their favour over the last 15 or so years.

 

[MikelHadADream]

The evolution of the galacticos is quite interesting.

The team of the 2000’s lacked balance, mentality (as a lot of the guys were coming to the end of their career and maybe lacked the hunger), and the tactical nous.

The 2010’s team was an all timer side. It had the perfect balance, all timer greats in virtually every position, and the mentality that guys like Mourinho (initially), Zidane, Ancelotti and Ronaldo installed.

This current team are interesting because I don’t think the balance or quality is close to the 2010’s team, but the mentality certainly is.

 

[Tourbillion]

Bricking it.

 

[Tnegs]

Looking forward to a cracking match. Watch MLS and Rice boss it again I think we are too solid to give up that many goals but it is RM in the CL so we’re gonna need another 100% performance. Couldn’t care less how we do it though if we have to dive and roll and time waste our way through it then let it be. We are already on the dark side of haramball might as well go all the way.

 

[A_G]

He’s here to cash in the Colombian curse on us

 

[Fabregasm]

Keep the intensity up, tight and not do some silly stuff. We can't stop them from scoring wonder goals or lucky goals if it happens then so be it but as long we stick to the game plan the high probability we will qualify Semis for sure

 

[grange]

I want to smash them so badly that they rescind Mik's Royal Order of Isabella immediately after the game.

 

[grange]

Farzad probably planted the seed to travel halfway around the world to watch your club get embarrassed

 

[Red London]

The evolution of the galacticos is quite interesting.

The team of the 2000’s lacked balance, mentality (as a lot of the guys were coming to the end of their career and maybe lacked the hunger), and the tactical nous.

The 2010’s team was an all timer side. It had the perfect balance, all timer greats in virtually every position, and the mentality that guys like Mourinho (initially), Zidane, Ancelotti and Ronaldo installed.

This current team are interesting because I don’t think the balance or quality is close to the 2010’s team, but the mentality certainly is.

I think you gotta ‘adjust for inflation’ talent wise if you get what I mean. For modern standards, they have an incredibly talented current team. If we compare current players to previous generations most teams are gonna look trash. Compare the major international teams of today to the 2000s for example.

Agree with the balance side, it’s poor. But Mbappe and Vinicius are top 3 in the world attackers (it’s like having Neymar and Robben in the 2010s). Rodrygo is a fantastic option especially in the CL. Bellingham is top 3 maybe the best CMs in the world. Then you have people like Valverde Camavinga etc. Courtuois best GK in the world.

They’re let down by their balance, defence and injuries in that area.

 

[HagnSprayGooners]

Vazquez starting at RB? Oh brother Martinelli is about to get a few Michelin stars.

 

[Rasmi]

Vazquez starting at RB? Oh brother Martinelli is about to get a few Michelin stars.

Martinelli is a non factor no matter who plays rb. His best games nowadays is putting in 1 good cross

 

[Red London]

Vazquez starting at RB? Oh brother Martinelli is about to get a few Michelin stars.

Reality: dribbles down blind alleys with his head down leading to nothing.

Nah I joke, he was good in the first leg tbf.

 

[HagnSprayGooners]

Martinelli is a non factor no matter who plays rb. His best games nowadays is putting in 1 good cross

Past 2/3 games he's been excellent and Vazquez is abysmal

 

[Synical]

I must admit that their confidence in a comeback is quite intimidating. I hope the players aren't on social media

 

[Synical]

Bloody hell. What?

 

[MaraDon]

ChatGPT is awesome: