Is Benzema out of favour or something?
Champions League Semi Finals (24th April - 2nd May)
- Thread starter Samid
- Start date
Hm... Jupp going all-in and Zizou very cautios. Don't really know what to expect
Real's squad is outrageously good. Bayern's bench doesn't look all that.
I'd back that Liverpool front three to destroy any of those 2 back lines, as much as it pains me to say it.It's really just how much they concede at the other end.
We only have one more attacking option on the bench, that's why i would have started with Thiago instead of Robben. Unfortunately Alaba, Vidal and Coman are injured and Tolisso is barely match fit.
Madrid to win today 2-1.
Kroos got hurt in the early knockout stages for Bayern Munich. Robben came in and Bayern never looked back on the way to the title. Mustafi got hurt for Germany against Algeria, Lahm moved back into his natural RB position and Kroos/Schweinsteiger/Khedira bossed the midfield to the World Cup win. Of course afterwards the managers were heralded as genius, when it was a lucky break that improved their line-ups.
Feckin Madrid getting lucky with all those injured, and Neuer. Any chance they're back for the second leg (Vidal aside)?
James to score 2 goals and not celebrate?
Just imagine if Heynckes wins the treble for the second time within 6 months 
Pep's fanboys, needless to say, would be more than a tad sheepish after all their protestations over his record there, lol.
Pep's fanboys, needless to say, would be more than a tad sheepish after all their protestations over his record there, lol.
I thought Ramos was banned tonight for coming down to the bench last game. His availability is a massive boost. Real were all over the place defensively without him in the last game.
Normally I'd be rooting for Bayern but with their injuries I feel Real Madrid have a better chance in the final against Liverpool. Feels crap either way to be honest but Liverpool winning the CL would be by far the worst feeling.
Alaba should probably make it. Vidal i think is out for the rest of the season and I don't know much about Coman, but he's definitely not going to make it for the second leg.
The Coman injury probably hurts the most, he's been very good under Heynkes and he's our only player with pace.
Thought so too until today
Alaba has back problems that sometimes spread into his legs. He can be on and off right now. Today he is off.
Coman might be back for the finals and could be a substitute then - but not earlier.
Tolisso is already an option tonight. He did not have a muscle injury but got a bad knock. Heynckes already ordered him to wear bigger shinpads.
I do not see Rafinha instead of Alaba as a handicap right now especially if James plays instead of Thiago. He is more defensive minded so he can shield James, too.
Thought Ramos was banned for being pitchside vs Juventus?
He was stopped and was under the pitch level to be banned by whatever rule to argue for his case.
Ulreich has been really strong the past weeks/months, and Vidal cost us in the end last year. I feel safer knowing he won't be on the pitch and give a ref easy excuses for a sending off.
So although we would certainly be stronger with Neuer, these injuries are not so bad. Alaba missing is more of a problem right now, but also here the substitute, Rafinha, has looked good on the left.
Perez and his brown envelopes.
To line up like that was staggeringly idiotic.
But then to just sit on his arse and do nothing until the tie was virtually over is just baffling. I can't remember the last time I saw a manager feck up to that level in such a huge game. It defied belief.
Lewandowski, Muller, Robben, RIbery, James - thats proper 5 attackers. Who plays in midfield alongside Martinez?
It's like he honestly didn't watch any of their games this season. To play such a high line against such a pacey, inform, counter attacking team was criminal.
Risky approach by Bayern with all those attackers..
I guess it will effectively be:
Ulreich
Kimmich , J. Boateng , Hummels , Rafinha
Javi Martinez , James
Robben , T. Müller , F. Ribery
Lewandowski
Ulreich
Kimmich , J. Boateng , Hummels , Rafinha
Javi Martinez , James
Robben , T. Müller , F. Ribery
Lewandowski
James will play deeper. He already did that a few times in the last games, and very well.
What an interesting set up by Bayern
I genuinely don't think he did.
You would have to not have watched any of Liverpool under Klopp to think playing 3 at the back pushed as high up as possible was a good idea. It was as basic as you can get. Hoffenheim did exactly the same thing in August and were thrashed as well.
I'd love to know what his thinking was because I can't understand it. It was like he was trying to lose.
I know that Bayern players are generally quite fit but Ribery and Robben may be quite oldish for such games.
I have my doubts about both Robben and Ribery starting... They can't outrun defenders like they used to.
Where the windup? Someone here wanted to argue that United somehow had a better season than Liverpool „because we are second in the league“ and that nobody gives a damn about Liverpool teaching the semis. And sorry, but that’s not how it works. People will remember this Liverpool side, nobody will remember United’s Mourinho of this season.
James in CM? Haha.......oh sh*t.
I may well look stupid later on but that midfield trio of Martinez, James and Muller lack defensive stability and I think it will cost them tonight
Going 3-1 Madrid
Going 3-1 Madrid
Kroos to score one and do a shirtless Ronaldo celebration.
2-2 or 3-2 Madrid.
He'll celebrate for sure! They kicked him out
Martinez should be enough as DM. At least that is where he is best.
Ronaldo score from penalty on 90+3 mins doing shirtless celebration only to lose 3-1.
Wtf is Heynckes thinking with that midfield?
Just imagine if Heynckes wins the treble for the second time within 6 months
Pep's fanboys, needless to say, would be more than a tad sheepish after all their protestations over his record there, lol.
Pep will always be greater than Jupp