Copa 22/23

[JamDav1982]

City played on Wednesday v West Ham then Saturday at home to Leeds and then have to travel to Madrid for 3rd game in 7 days.

Then wont be able to rest up in between as still in title race.

Real have the better schedule.

 

[Andresito]

City played on Wednesday v West Ham then Saturday at home to Leeds and then have to travel to Madrid for 3rd game in 7 days.

Then wont be able to rest up in between as still in title race.

Real have the better schedule.

Still City rested half their XI vs Leeds, they'll be fine too.

 

[Horatio]

The Madrid apologists going at it in full force I see.

 

[JamDav1982]

Still City rested half their XI vs Leeds, they'll be fine too.

After playing mid week and then have to travel to Madrid.

Real have better schedule to prepare for the games when look at games before and then inbetween.

It is about preparation for games as much as resting players.

 

[Andresito]

After playing mid week and then have to travel to Madrid.

Real have better schedule to prepare for the games when look at games before and then inbetween.

It is about preparation for games as much as resting players.

You saying City will be unprepared?

 

[JamDav1982]

You saying City will be unprepared?

What I said is perfectly clear.

 

[El Gato]

They'll have same kind of preparation as with any other tie. It's massively in their favour on back of having return leg at home regardless

RM look leggy lately
Likes of Carvajal got a boot to the knee the other night and will need to work out the best CB pairing as Militão been poor lately
Plenty of factors suggesting City ought to get at least 1 goal lead from this leg

 

[JamDav1982]

They'll have same kind of preparation as with any other tie. It's massively in their favour on back of having return leg at home regardless

RM look leggy lately
Likes of Carvajal got a boot to the knee the other night and will need to work out the best CB pairing as Militão been poor lately
Plenty of factors suggesting City ought to get at least 1 goal lead from this leg

Nah not the same preparation if away in Madrid was not 3rd game in 7 days and then could have a meaningless game inbetween the ties.

City got the tougher schedule than Real but that is no excuse if they lose and it is part of competing for multiple trophies in one season.

But it is easy point to counter this idea Real have been fucked over by the schedule when City have it tougher.

 

[FC B]

City and Pep have no excuse if they won't KO Madrid especially after the manner they bottled it the last year.

 

[Rory]

Real Madrid are reigning champions for a reason. Have some of the best players in the world and many of whom have excellent chemistry from years of playing together. Far from decided. Real's league form is miles below their max level that they somehow always reach in the ucl.

 

[ajnotkeith]

Real Madrid are reigning champions for a reason. Have some of the best players in the world and many of whom have excellent chemistry from years of playing together. Far from decided. Real's league form is miles below their max level that they somehow always reach in the ucl.

To be honest I see City thrashing them over the 2 legs.

The only thing that would stop City is mental issues (fear, concentration...) Because in terms of everything football wise they are the far better team.

If Xavi can outclass Ancelotti Pep can do it too. He just needs to not overthink it too much.

 

[JamDav1982]

Be an interesting tie and how Pep sets up team with Vini in mind.

Probably Peps least 'talented' side since he became a coach and much more structured/willing to give up ball at times than has been in past.

Vini and also the energy in middle of park is what Ancelotti will look to hit City with would think. Citys CM could for large parts be Stones, Rodri and Gundogan. Not the most mobile or energetic as a three and Bayern had joy in middle v them and getting it wide early.

Could be a very cagey first leg from both sides and City happy enough to take draw back.

 

[El Gato]

It's not the overthinking. He didn't overthink last time round. Happened to be that his Portuguese players choked and made mistakes while others didn't do a good enough a job to attain a larger margin

And even that said, Madrid prefers to play from behind with larger margin to capitalise on momentum.
City barely yet had to deal with these dynamics taking place in a cup tie. Closest I can remember is their loss to Spurs in 2019(?) and even then it was them actually scraping to score in dying minutes and failing on an offside

 

[JamDav1982]

Real were ahead v Ajax in 2019 and went out losing 4-1 at home.
Real were ahead in tie at home to City in 2020 and went out as City turned game to win 2-1.
Real drew 1-1 away with Chelsea and then lost 2-0 at home in 2021 to go out.

Last season at this point was a bit of an anomoly to be made out as mental monsters as often are.

Fair enough if can back it up this season in CL but if dont then last season is the exception not the norm as is often made out.

 

[Rory]

To be honest I see City thrashing them over the 2 legs.

The only thing that would stop City is mental issues (fear, concentration...) Because in terms of everything football wise they are the far better team.

If Xavi can outclass Ancelotti Pep can do it too. He just needs to not overthink it too much.

Every chance city thrash them, just don't think it's a foregone conclusion. Vinicius, Rodrygo and Benzema against City's defence will cause a lot of problems. Madrid's midfield has the capability of going toe-to-toe with city's. Issue for Real is City's attacking play will cause their defence even bigger problems. Will need another Courtois masterclass